The 7 most obese states...

[MADem]

75. Yes, you can cook in a microwave but it can be a real pain in the ass.

There's nothing like a cast iron pan or a good old fashioned pot when it comes to making a stew. People living in "public housing hotels" have prohibitions against using hot plates, often as not. Teaching people microwave cooking techniques could be part and parcel of the effort.

Also, people on SNAP have to pick their fruit/veg carefully--those things are so expensive they use up all the benefit. They're probably better off getting the food pantry early on "their" day and hoping that the supermarket had left off some stuff that is a hair past its sell-by.

I honestly don't think going after the "obese" aspect is helpful. People tend to get pissed off if you tell them they are carting around too much fat. It's like smoking--nagging never helps.

My PSA idea isn't about lecturing people to lose weight, though, it's all about healthy food, nutritious food, and it should be aimed at parents who want to take better care of their KIDS. "Hey, you, fatso, you need to eat better" never works, but "Proper nutrients -- and they can be tasty, quick and healthy snacks or meals --- will help YOUR little Fauntleroy and Petunia excel in school and make you proud!!" Then on comes Oprah or Matt Damon or that turd Dennis Miller, in a thirty second spot, making a banana and almond butter sandwich on whole wheat, making a ten minute rice dish with fresh tomato or other veggies, or flavoring oatmeal in an amusing way that kids might like. The trick is to make the meal QUICK, AFFORDABLE and ACCESSIBLE. No pine nuts or fava beans--plain shit, cleverly put together.

By getting people from across the political spectrum to do these spots (Rand Paul makes a blueberry-ice shake in the blender, e.g.) , it might be possible to avoid the partisan carping. I think it would be a good thing for this sort of effort to come out of/be run by Health/Human Services rather than Office of FLOTUS. She has enough on her plate (pardon the pun) and even as an offshoot to her issues, it could be something that crosses administrations (like the President's Council on Physical Fitness) if done right.