Do you want fries with that?
It seems American kids aren't the only ones growing at an alarming rate. And by growing, I mean putting the padding on or, in laymen's terms, getting fat. The disturbing trend has moved at least two mega-profile individuals to doing something about it. First-lady Michelle Obama has made it her life's work to bring childhood obesity to the attention of the American people. And "Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver has just launched a weekly American television show aimed at getting kids to eat right.
As we approach Easter this week, seems there were more miracles going on at The Last Supper than we knew about. The initial visual documentation of the most famous dinner ever - "table for 13, right this way" - was preserved by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. But now it seems subsequent renderings have resulted in more food on the table.
A study by 2 professors at Cornell University has discovered that down through the years, reviewing over 50 subsequent paintings of the last supper, the plate sizes and the portions of food on the plates have grown by up to 69 per cent. Art would seem to imitate life.
Some renderings weren't included in the study. Among my favourites are:
Star Warms
M.A.S.H. Potatos
Battlestar Galactica Hot Dish
Comments
Our American servings truly are a testament to the obesity fad we've got just about sewn up over here. It always amazes me that the Europeans are not bursting at their literal seams because in most countries over there, it's all about the food. But, then you look at the food content, fresh, fresh, fresh, with very little in the way of processed foods and the fact that their servings aren't enormous and you have the secret to thin.
I've never seen a Golden Corral in any of my travels over there.
Just heard about the super-sized Last Supper phenom via the Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! Podcast. How utterly bizarre.
And in related news (@Joann, too) the NPR Food podcast highlighted that New York schools' home-made bake sales are limited to once a month because they can't guarantee the quality of the items being made available whereas you can fund-raise with pre-packaged (and loaded with chemicals and preservatives) foods as much as you want!
Yeah, the Europeans love to eat and drink but somehow keep the weight off. What's a Golden Corral?
That bake sale story is too much. But it's changing. I read where Pepsico and Kraft are reducing salt in their products soon. Gosh, there'll be no fun in pigging out anymore.
Great post over at CCWA today!! L(
Thanks for drop[ping by from CCWA! I'm here all week!
Great post over at CCWA today!! L(