Cookie Monster teaching moderation yet people get mad

When I was a little kid the Cookie Monster was a popular character, devouring cookies so fast crumbs would fly all over the place. He would yell “COOKIE” and steal them from other characters if he saw someone with them even. Little kids would giggle, puppets would guffaw and the viewers were sated. After all, what little kid does not like cookies? Heck, what adult does not like cookies?  Well, around 2005 Sesame Street began the adjustment of allowing the Cookie Monster to eat a more well rounded meal. I love this–when my kids were little and even when I was little I can recall devouring food like I was the cookie monster. My boys did the same thing–so why not implement a focal point on healthy foods as well.

So, as Sesame Street became observant of the obesity crisis hitting young kids and making clear adjustments on moderation the people started spreading rumors. “The cookies are being replaced with carrots! They are ruining the Cookie Monster!” Assumptions he would be renamed the Veggie Monster were sent out in mass emails to the world. Stop the madness of social responsibility that Sesame Street is spreading by allowing this childhood icon to change. Um–what?

We are sending letters of protest to Sesame Street saying we demand our blue furred creature of preschool entertainment remain a glutton for junk food only.  People formed petitions, threatened boycotts etc all because Cookie Monster was going to round out his meals. Why did this scare people so much? Why were people so ready to advocate for the blue haired junk food addict–were they afraid they would have to be more responsible with their own food choices or worse yet, the food options they would have to provide for their growing children?

What puzzles me most about this is the fact people protested the possibility of Cookie Monster becoming a vegan tree hugger, even though the facts were he just wanted to eat a few fruits and vegetables along with the cookies. So–they were protesting a change in presentation which could benefit the young child.  Some bright character to compete with the Trix rabbit or the  Lucky Charms leprechaun was in someway a national threat to our children.  When in reality we should be protesting the cartoons selling crap to the children. Yelling loudly how they love this sugar laden cereal while sliding down bright colored rainbows and children skipping and cheering behind them.  What about that red haired creepy clown selling our kids artificial foods representing real foods while bribing them with the newest movie toy? Why are we not protesting McDonald’s? How about the King who is now some large headed almost human but has plastic face character selling teenagers the triple fire burger of death which is laden with heart attack promoting calories. Why have these been icons to our kids? Why are we celebrating Cookie Monster gluttony and feel threatened to the point of action when he eats an apple or banana?  Who are these angry people who cling to junk food icons like they are the breath of America? If these are what we want and what we will fervently demand for our kids–we are dooming them before they are even out of diapers.

How is this fair?

“over 75% of US food manufacturers’ advertising budgets and 95% of US fast-food restaurant budgets are allocated to television. It is estimated that US children may view between 20,000 – 40,000 commercials each year. Food ads account for over 50% of all ads targeting children. Children view an average of one food commercial every 5 minutes of television viewing time, and may see as many as 3 hours of food commercials each week. US children in low-income families and minority youth tend to watch more television. Thus they have greater exposure to food ads;” taken from http://www.youthxchange.net

We are allowing this to prey on the minds of our children and worse yet, validating it with stupid petitions and protests to retain the right to promote junk food lust to our 3 and 4 yr olds. Wake up, People! We are killing the children slowly with this junk–we are killing them with food.

So, what can you do? Take a stance with your own kids, prepare the meals for them with good food choices. Empower them with the knowledge of those choices, explain that the junk food is not ok choices for them all the time. Sure, cookies, OK have a cookie or two–but have fruit or vegetables more, lots more. Say “NO” once in a while to your kids, especially when passing the seductive neon lit golden arches as you drive by them. You don’t let them have a cigarette when you are passing by that isle in the market, do you? When we see a fast food ad or establishment my youngest child does ask if we can have it. My answer is always “No” I tell her I understand she wants to eat it, reminding myself of the studies conducted by the marketing guru’s–how they have manipulated reality even to try and get kids to want this garbage. Of course my child wants to have this–those people are experts! However, it is my job to keep my child safe from all perpetrators and that includes fast food chains now.  Make your voice to your own children comforting but firm–this is for their health and wellness. Look at the widget by the side of this blog posting-join the Healthy School Campaign . Learn how to prepare healthy fun foods for your kids, include them in food preparation as well. Encourage physical activity, even if it is with a video game promoting movement.

Take action because it is your responsibility to do so!

Contact your Legislation about healthier school lunch programs.