Aibu to think jamie oliver can't win??

[MOTU]

You'd think this would be his key demographic what with people vociferously shaming people who dare give their child squash or a sprinkle of sugar on their weetabix; but every time he speaks out about public health, people seem to erupt with indignation that he dare criticise our diets and accuse him of patronising poor people.

The latest one being that his suggestion of a sugar tax on sugary drinks is penalising poor people but allowing wealthy people choice.
Actually I think the tax would mostly just differentiate between the sugar added drinks and others, making it a more obvious choice across the socio economic spectrum and if you're so poor this would price you out of the market then you really couldn't have been afording these drinks to start with, their not exactly the cheapest option.....

I read something at the time from one of the burger mothers the kid got no dinner (healthy or not) he was also asked to leave the American school because it was chaos

The message he has is right, but taxing people is the wrong way to go about it. He needs to be getting a campaign to stop the companies putting crap and sugar in foods as well as educating people. Look at the mumsnet nestle boycott.

Sounds like I am in the minority here but I really like him, and I think good on him for sticking his neck out to talk about these things and try and affect change. Clearly his views aren't universally popular but he is passionate about food issues, much like a lot of chefs campaign for, say, sustainable fish stocks. It just so happens that his pet issues will impact people more directly. Sugar should be taxed more than it is, much like other substances which have caused public health problems like tabacco and alcohol, how else is the NHS going to be able to deal with the increase in treatments for diabetes etc that we will see in years to come? A major deficit will only see income taxes rise if we do not plan for it now.

I think he's fantastic. I think there should be more people in cookery programmes talking about fat and sugar and healthy eating. He's passionate about it and truly believe in it and that means that he will speak up about it when he could just sit back and rake in the money on his other projects. I'm not saying there's no self interest here at all; he's obviously cashing in on all his campaigns, but he's right in his message and I think it's great that he's taking it to the next level.

I'd be fine with a sugar tax if the money could directly go to the NHS to deal with diabetics and other nutritional based health issues

I like him too. He's a dad who understands the importance of kids being healthy

There is a huge difference between baking sugary stuff occasionally at home where sugar probably isn't more than 20-25% of the ingredients along with decent food during the rest of the day to eating something that is mostly sugar and fat with added processed crap every day along with sugary drinks and ready meals containing sugar and crap ingredients.
Most people don't realise how much sugar they are consuming.
I think JO is trying to educate people away from this kind of lifestyle to a more healthier one.

Re the burger mothers - I'm not buying this whole getting them a burger was the only option otherwise they'd starve thing. Why didn't they give them a packed lunch?

Sadly in our society it is only people like Jamie Oliver who can take the risk to campaign about stuff like this. Where are the politicians doing this?

It makes me sad how people can call someone names when they are trying to go against the tide. That's why politicians won't do this, they are afraid of the unpopularity.

This is about education, that's all. Just letting people know what they are eating and pesenting an alternative.

I think what he's trying to do is a good thing, but for some reason I can't stand the twat. I don't know what it is about him.

I thought he was an utter utter twat till I heard that he was doing REALLY ANNOYING SAINSBOS ADS to fund his Fifteen project

I think he really means it

trouble is in this country we have a deep mistrust of Let Them Eat Kale wealthy types- however well meaning- who appear to be judging/lecturing those less fortunate. If there's even a sniff of this- we bite

but then- what should he do?

If he sits at home on a pile of money- he's a cunt

If he goes out and tries to help folk- he's also a cunt

He sticks his neck out. And he doesn't have to. Good luck to him

I believe most people are well aware that sugary drinks and fast food are unhealthy. Some choose to ignore advice and potential consequences and carry on consuming these things that is their choice. Because they do have a choice whether they are rich or poor.

Ask any reception child which is healthier Coke or tap water and they can tell you. I don't need any labels or warnings, it is basic common sense. Yes it is useful to know just how bad the soft drink is but really people do know it's bad they just choose to ignore it so this should be taxed.

What needs to be addressed is food marketed as healthy or aimed at children that has hidden sugar. This is where many get caught out.

Agreed shebird, DH had a falling down type moment the other night when he realised how much sugar was in the instant porridge sachets (12g in a 30g pack!), they're all in the bin now and my last convenience food is no more..... To be fair normal oats microwave in only slightly more time!

It amazes me how many friends I have who cannot cook and have no idea of nutrition. I'm no expert, but simple things like a white sauce or meal planning completely escape them.

Yes people should have a choice and be responsible but what if they can't achieve anything other than what they know without help?

I like JO.

His money is irrelevant I think. He seems genuine.

Hahaa! People are truly gullible. All his 'campaigns' run concurrently to the release of another book/telly series. Some coincidence. He 'sticks his neck' out to peddle his stuff. Duh!

And if you're fool enough to think sugar is the bad guy and food producers are going to make it go away and not sub in more and more fake sweeteners which are far worse than sugar, guess again.

sticking his neck out and caring?

It's all to sell more books!

Yes but as you say expat the food producers are the bad guys not JO, he just sticks his head over the parapet and gets it shot off. I'm not saying he's amazing just a lot better than the effing manufacturers, who seem to get away with selling total shite most of the time.

How much do you reckon Coca Col spend on just ONE campaign? I would reckon millions and millions more than poor old JO.

PMSL at the idea of 'poor old JO'. Even more so at how many have fallen for his utter claptrap. EVERYTHING he does is motivated by selling more of his stuff to his personal enrichment. Duh! It's a business. His head is very firmly on his shoulders, peddling his wares to people believe he's some type of crusader.

Nobody has to buy his stuff. Most of his recipes are freely available on his website.
His loudest message at the moment is stop drinking sugary drinks and stop selling energy drinks to children. Where is he making money there?
Of course he runs a business too. At least he's trying to do something good out of it unlike some top chefs peddling margarine or stock cubes to 'lock in the flavour'

I'm referring to making money off the general public. In sure he's paid to make TV programmes.

Agree wholeheartedly about the telly chefs peddling cheap crappy stock cubes TheWoodenSpoonOf

I never said he's a saint expat but why is it so bad to run a business?

A lot of the huge conglomerates 'pretend' to be healthy like Macd's now THERE is real hypocrisy.