Beckham signs up to healthy eating

By: Dean Best - 26 April 2007 15:43

UK celebrity chef Jamie Oliver may annoy some but to me, he’s a pukka sort of bloke.

His campaigning for healthier school meals ultimately led to a change in UK government policy. Oliver has also put his money where his mouth is, stumping up over GBP1m (US$2m) to bankroll a London restaurant, Fifteen, run by chefs from under-privileged backgrounds.

Nevertheless, if you’re a self-conscious 12-year-old kid, you’re not likely to listen to “that bloke off the Sainsbury’s ads” when he’s cajoling you to bin the burgers in favour of something healthier.

No, the healthy-eating cause has needed true kids’ “heroes” like footballers, for instance, to keep the bandwagon rolling and convince kids that eating healthily can be cool.

And news has reached us today (26 April) that English football idol David Beckham has, through his sports academy, teamed up with frozen food giant Findus to promote omega-3 supplements.

At first glance, it seems an unlikely alliance. Are kids really going to gobble down omega-3 capsules? Remember when your mum fed you spoonfuls of cod liver oil? Is this the same footballer who has made a mint from lending a hand to help push Pepsi?

Despite these concerns, any move like this should be welcomed. Getting Becks on board can only help get the message through to kids that eating a balanced diet can be cool. And help the likes of Oliver convince those who are refusing to change their eating habits.

Comments on this blog post

I've just chanced upon your food blog and I want to read more and agree with some of your comments about kids and food but not everything.

Having spent time (my free time) giving cooking lessons to kids in high school ages 11-16, the main thing kids want is more practical cooking lessons and less food technology and boring stuff like marketing technics.

As to what kids will and wont eat. If your honest with them and don't try to con them into eating something healthy they will give most foods a try.

The trouble is for the last 2 generations too many parents have unwittingly encouraged a narrowing of food choices for their kids by telling them "You don't have to eat that if you don't want to"...instantly putting doubts in the child's mind about the food in question.

Parents often pass on their own often irrational dislike for a particular food..rather than just letting the child try it.

Come say hello

Kevin

www.wannabetvchef.blog.co.uk

kevin ashton, United Kingdom