The food pyramid is a plate thanks to some radicals.
Back in January I wrote about an ill advised attack on the food pyramid by a group called PCRM (physicians committee for responsible medicine) whose tactics I questioned.
I was critical of PCRM because to me the video did border on radical. That was my opinion but PCRM’s Caroline Trapp, MSN, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE begged to differ, Here is what she said.
“In your blog, you have linked PCRM’s lawsuit over the agribusiness-sponsored USDA Food Pyramid and the commercial on fast food to PETA and radical efforts to get attention. I totally agree with you that no one should throw paint at anyone. But I am at a loss to understand why you think that a fact-based commercial that links high-fat fast food to heart disease is “radical.” Isn’t cutting open someone’s chest for bypass surgery radical? Doesn’t the public deserve to have solid information about the consequences of eating certain foods so they can make informed decisions? As a nurse practitioner and diabetes educator who has seen the toll that uncontrolled diabetes can take on people, I am all for getting good information out there that helps people to require less medication and live longer and more healthful lives.”
power plate
First of all in principal I agreed with their notation that a plant based diet and their power plate was a healthier alternative and for disclosure purposes I am on a Low carb vegetarian diet which has so far worked the best for my diabetes management.
A few months ago PCRM resorted to attacking the Food pyramid with a lawsuit. For allegedly overlooking science, and for shunning PCRM’s alternative healthful-eating graphic, when devising it.. Six months later the food pyramid is gone and in its place is the Myplate.
Above the USDA’s Myplate and below is PCRM’s Power plate. Should I be callous enough to say score one for PCRM.
We are a litigious society after all aren’t we, maybe we should be suing the FDA to Expedite Development of Artificial Pancreas or a few other things.
PETA will give you the human barbecue.
PCRM will give you a video (below) which depicts a dead man in the morgue clutching a cheeseburger while his loved one bemoans their loss. This video was banned from showing in several national media markets but Caroline Counters with this statement
“ Even though a few stations (which I’m pretty sure take advertising money from McDonalds) did not air it, it was aired in many markets and got over 1 million hits online.”
Risque or facts? you be the judge. I for one think it is but this feeling comes form a personal perspective. I have seen death, famine and suffering in such a real and deeply personal way to equate it to anything this maligned. But that’s just me what do you think? does this video cross the line? should we resort to suing the USDA/FDA to get the results we desire? We are always talking about becoming more involved in the decision making process, is this the way to go?
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WELCOME!!
I don’t see this video as being effective. As you have stated before it’s a scare tactic. And perhaps I CAN understand the temptation to use it. I get tempted to use scare tactics when my toddlers don’t listen to me as to why they shouldn’t run out into the road, “Because all cars are out to get you!” I have almost said.
My point is that campaigns shouldn’t decide on how to convey a message without compassion and empathy. This video makes me wince and makes me want to bury my head in a double cheese burger. However, the world we live in, with all the junk food, the subsidy money in the wrong places, the corruption in congress, the health care system flaws, all too, make me want to react strongly.
When they’re old enough, I won’t tell my kids a cheeseburger is evil and that if they eat it they’ll die. But, I will teach them about what a cheeseburger does to their bodies, what a frequent one does, what years of eating this way will do, AND I will not force them to eat food they don’t like, but I will provide healthy food they DO like and I’ll teach them about how to keep happy and healthy and feed the body carefully as to take care of it as if it were a great machine. I’ll explain to them why mommy looked really unhealthy in some pictures and healthy in others and how food choices had a huge role in that.
It won’t be fear based, it will be communication based. Hope based.
But deep down would I like to make all fast food restaurants and other super low quality foods disappear? Yes. I do think they’re that bad.
Read “Is a vegan diet effective for treating type 2 diabetes? An epistolary investigation,” The Cincinnati Beacon, 12/11/09 in which PCRM’s Caroline Trapp provides false information, then flees when she gets tagged: http://bit.ly/6yZQCz
Very Interesting piece thanks for sharing it with us.
You’re welcome and I appreciated your note.
FYI, Ms. Trapp’s organization – an animal rights group masquerading as a medical organization – took it in the shorts this week when one of their media stunts blew up in their face. Hilarious and not to be missed! http://bit.ly/pZT6l4
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