Dear Sesame Street:
I know you have good intentions. I get it. You are concerned with the wellbeing of our kids. And that's all kinds of awesome. And you want them to learn healthy eating, despite all of the temptations that exist. And that's awesome stuff too...
But I have a bone to pick with you. You have crossed a line. And it must stop. And I'm NOT talking about the whole Bert/Ernie debate. This is far more important than anything involving the 2 of them. Or their "lifestyle choices".
We all know what "C" stands for. And it's not carrots. Or cabbage. Or, for heaven's sake, cauliflower. And it's time to give Cookie Monster his good name back.
I get that you are responding to the obesity epidemic with an effort to make veggies "approachable" like they are high-fallutin' ladies at a bar that you need to build a connection to before you ask them out. But, trust me, veggies aren't like that. You can't make a veggie a pal if you're not a fan. And you can't trade sweets for veggies.
Now don't get me wrong... I LOVE me my cookies. In fact I bought a whole giant tub of Nonni's Mini Biscotti (salted caramel... yum) at Costco just yesterday. Now before 50 days ago, I woulda sat down with that tub and ate my way full... but NOW? Now, I sit down and am FULLY aware of exactly how many calories (70) and how much sodium (230) each of these little suckers has. And I am accountable for them, so I count them. And I can promise you that there is no mountain of carrots big enough for me to trade for one of these sweet delights.
Instead of trying to convince little kids that carrots are an adequate replacement for cookies, how about we teach them about nutrition instead? How about we tell kids that cookies, in limited amounts, are OKAY to eat as part of a balanced diet??? How about we teach them accountability and healthy awareness of the food and nutritional needs instead?
So here's my suggestion. How about the Count do a little intervention with Cookie Monster and help him understand that if he wants to lose a little of his blue blobness, all he has to do is eat FEWER cookies? And since he's the COUNT, for crying out loud, maybe he could help him.... well... COUNT. Count his cookies, his caloric intake, and his food choices.
Then, Cookie gets to stay Cookie, but he's a healthier monster. A better role model. And the Count actually gets to matter (he will... ahem ... Count for something more).
And kids will get the message that you don't have to give up cookies for carrots but that there's room in life for both. And they'll learn an even more valuable lesson--- that what they choose to put in their mouths matters.
I'm not advocating diets for kids or that we make a mini-MFP for munchkins. That's going overboard. But introducing the concept of the food pyramid (or whatever shape it is now) while recognizing the benefits of eating all different kinds of foods... now that's a message worth sharing.
Teaching kids that a treat is just that... a treat. Now that's an important lesson. Maybe cookie monster's big revelation is not that he GIVES UP his name and identity and cookies, but that he relishes them. He savors them. Because he's learned he can only have 2 every day. So he eats all his healthyfoods and gets exercise so he can enjoy them. And then he has earned them.
Wouldn't that be awesome?
Sincerely,
Mom of 2 kids who didn't think of this when they were actually watching Sesame Street
P.S. Next week, can we please talk about Oscar the Grouch? I'm really thinking if you wanted a grouch you could have chosen a grumpy Mom whose kids are home on a snow day instead....
I know you have good intentions. I get it. You are concerned with the wellbeing of our kids. And that's all kinds of awesome. And you want them to learn healthy eating, despite all of the temptations that exist. And that's awesome stuff too...
But I have a bone to pick with you. You have crossed a line. And it must stop. And I'm NOT talking about the whole Bert/Ernie debate. This is far more important than anything involving the 2 of them. Or their "lifestyle choices".
We all know what "C" stands for. And it's not carrots. Or cabbage. Or, for heaven's sake, cauliflower. And it's time to give Cookie Monster his good name back.
I get that you are responding to the obesity epidemic with an effort to make veggies "approachable" like they are high-fallutin' ladies at a bar that you need to build a connection to before you ask them out. But, trust me, veggies aren't like that. You can't make a veggie a pal if you're not a fan. And you can't trade sweets for veggies.
Now don't get me wrong... I LOVE me my cookies. In fact I bought a whole giant tub of Nonni's Mini Biscotti (salted caramel... yum) at Costco just yesterday. Now before 50 days ago, I woulda sat down with that tub and ate my way full... but NOW? Now, I sit down and am FULLY aware of exactly how many calories (70) and how much sodium (230) each of these little suckers has. And I am accountable for them, so I count them. And I can promise you that there is no mountain of carrots big enough for me to trade for one of these sweet delights.
Instead of trying to convince little kids that carrots are an adequate replacement for cookies, how about we teach them about nutrition instead? How about we tell kids that cookies, in limited amounts, are OKAY to eat as part of a balanced diet??? How about we teach them accountability and healthy awareness of the food and nutritional needs instead?
So here's my suggestion. How about the Count do a little intervention with Cookie Monster and help him understand that if he wants to lose a little of his blue blobness, all he has to do is eat FEWER cookies? And since he's the COUNT, for crying out loud, maybe he could help him.... well... COUNT. Count his cookies, his caloric intake, and his food choices.
Then, Cookie gets to stay Cookie, but he's a healthier monster. A better role model. And the Count actually gets to matter (he will... ahem ... Count for something more).
And kids will get the message that you don't have to give up cookies for carrots but that there's room in life for both. And they'll learn an even more valuable lesson--- that what they choose to put in their mouths matters.
I'm not advocating diets for kids or that we make a mini-MFP for munchkins. That's going overboard. But introducing the concept of the food pyramid (or whatever shape it is now) while recognizing the benefits of eating all different kinds of foods... now that's a message worth sharing.
Teaching kids that a treat is just that... a treat. Now that's an important lesson. Maybe cookie monster's big revelation is not that he GIVES UP his name and identity and cookies, but that he relishes them. He savors them. Because he's learned he can only have 2 every day. So he eats all his healthyfoods and gets exercise so he can enjoy them. And then he has earned them.
Wouldn't that be awesome?
Sincerely,
Mom of 2 kids who didn't think of this when they were actually watching Sesame Street
P.S. Next week, can we please talk about Oscar the Grouch? I'm really thinking if you wanted a grouch you could have chosen a grumpy Mom whose kids are home on a snow day instead....
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.