Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Premiere (VIDEO)

Jamie Oliver's much anticipated show, 'Food Revolution' premiered on Friday, where he attempts to transform the eating habits of the residents of Huntington, West Virginia, the most unhealthy city in America. In this clip, Jamie shows kids how chicken nuggets are actually made with the goal of turning them away from processed foods. Watch their shocking reaction.

WATCH:


click here to watch the full episode on ABC.

Comments

[jordauragu]

04:44 AM on 04/06/2010

My biggest concern is that Jamie does not address the overall food policy in America that allows for this system of subsidies in the US to offer these processed foods at such a cheap rate in the first place. If he is going to declare that there is a problem in America's schools he should investigate all of the reasons why we have such a system and then offer real systematic change as well as from-the-ground-up kind of change that we see in the show.

Come on Jamie; just dig a wee bit deeper.

[jordauragu]

04:43 AM on 04/06/2010

What Jamie is doing is wonderful though; I do not mean to be completely negative. The American people need a loud screeching wake-up call to stop eating such unhealthy processed foods, and primetime is probably the best way to reach the most people. Indeed, ratings have skyrocketed for Oliver, much akin to the heights of Apollo 11 with the highest ratings of any Friday night ABC series in three years!

Of course with added attention comes increased criticism. I wonder about the level of revolt aimed at Oliver coming from food manufacturing companies, or if there is any at all. The television show has large food companies having their commercials air in potent thirty-second spots every commercial break during the “Revolution” show. What is the point of touting fresh foods when every ten minutes or so we are being told to eat processed foods these powerful companies call “healthy” but really aren’t? However, I would be interested to know what the company (or companies) that supply food to the Huntington schools has to say about the show.

[jordauragu]

04:43 AM on 04/06/2010

Yes, the Naked Chef has deemed the United States a disaster zone when it comes to school food. He is most certainly right. It’s despicable that children don’t know how to identify fresh vegetables or how to use a fork and knife. What he doesn’t talk about are the people in charge of federal school food policy, namely our representative politicians and food advocates, who are trying to make strides to change this system of serving non-nutritious food to our children. However, there is still time.

There are many people trying to do good that Jamie’s show has simply overlooked. What about the National Farm to School program, individuals and schools who are incorporating a food curriculum into their students’ learning, the progressive Obama administration’s plan for healthier schools or the important Child Nutrition Act that is up for renewal? I understand that he wants the glory, but Jamie continuously shies away from highlighting the good that already exists in America. If he just embraced the fact that there are people out there who are trying to do similar things he could make even more of a difference.

[getsit]

12:34 PM on 03/30/2010

What alarmed me about Jamie's show was when he found out the federal government's standards for school meals. His question about 2 breads was correct. Obesity is rampant. 1 whole grain, 1 good protein, 1 vege, 1 dairy, 1 fruit, 1 good fat is the ideal at each meal in small servings is appropriate. Clean foods not full of harmful additives is Jamie's message. It looks as though big pharma (grains-corn & wheat) and big food corps had a hand in setting the standards through big lobbying. We can't alienate the corporations by setting healthy standards for our children.

Jamie is wonderful. He wants to make his mark on the world, he's a genuinely good guy, he cares about children, he has a rare talent of being able to relate to them on a positive level, and he's a good teacher. Teaching children about food and how to cook simple to prepare meals is really important. They can carry this back to their parents who, apparently need to learn these skills as well. A simple, nutritious, delicious meal can be prepared in 30 minutes with appropriate ingredients on hand. Our grocery stores offer already chopped ingredients ready for the pan.

I am appalled at what is offered at the local schools. It is high in bad carbs, bad fats, salts, and other questionable additives. My grandchildren take sack lunches.

[Rope-A-Dope]

10:43 AM on 03/29/2010

In the US we allow food growers/ranchers/farmers to do TOO MUCH to the food we are expected to ingest. This is not the case around the entire world. This is all about profit and until we stand up against the businesses and the government that allow these practices to continue will never end. But that is only part one. Part two is paying the citizens of our country a wage that makes living healthy possible. It's time to shed the culture of "cost-cutting is always a good thing" and return to the thinking that made our country special. We need to start paying people more money for the work they do to make a company profitable, and paying less money to the shareholders and executives that take advantage of their own employees and the overall economy.

[Mona Holmes-Nisker]

09:29 AM on 03/29/2010

I see the challenge in all of this, the long term effects are scary. Most of these kids will wind up fighting chronic disease or obesity if they don't experience a shift in how they think about food. I'm happy to see Jamie Oliver try tackling this enormous problem - even though it's an uphill battle. More like an uphill battle while carrying 200 pounds of chicken nuggets on his back.

Healthy Food Writer
http://www.examiner.com/x-2413-LA-Healthy-Dining-Examiner

[Bepragmatic]

09:25 AM on 03/29/2010

All that was needed was one kid to raise his hand and then they all followed. That human behavior was the lesson to be learned from the demonstration. Besides information and emotion, we need independent thought to make decisions regarding issues that impact our lives. Sadly, that is what is most lacking in choosing the future direction of our country.

[yemaya]

01:44 PM on 03/29/2010

fanned, excellent point bepragmatic. critical thinking skills are crucial

[zenwhenicanbe2]

09:22 AM on 03/29/2010

(organs notwithstanding), the notion that any one part of a chicken is more or less reasonable to eat is a bit off to my thinking. Granted, his spin on the matter certainly makes one think that those parts of the chicken are foul, but I don't really see it that way.

One thing I won't stand for is antibiotics and mass farming operations. In other words I'd rather eat every piece of cartilage out of a natural chicken and not even the bre&st of a mass farmed chicken. To me it's all about the composition not the cut of meat.

[PaleMail]

09:31 AM on 03/29/2010

I agree but if one is determined to avoid antibiotics/growth hormones/and whatever other chemicals injected into these farmed animals, best to curtail meat consumption (evens out the cost) and buy organic only.

[zenwhenicanbe2]

09:34 AM on 03/29/2010

curtail meaning cessation or reduction? Funny I hear that word all the time but thought it meant stop, not reduce.

Reduce meat consumption? Agreed.

My wife and me buy only organic meat, Whole Foods has a great option where they actually show you the name and location of the local farm/organic farm on a placard at the butcher's counter. Pretty sweet. If they added "proof" of humane slaughter on the same placard I'd be in hog heaven!

[Lori Masucci]

10:03 AM on 03/29/2010

I think his point had more to do with the additives that get put into the processed foods to make them more palatable. There is a scene that shows him discussing this, but probably it doesn't stand out because it didn't get the "ew, gross" reaction that the carcass did. Otherwise, as my DH pointed out, this is basically how chicken stock is made...

[Roger Ellis]

09:10 AM on 03/29/2010

HULU is blocked to those of us outside the United States.
Is there another link to this video please?

[AlexNYC]

12:40 AM on 03/30/2010

It appears that Hulu is the only place the video currently appears. We have the same problem accessing new European shows. Perhaps if you wait a few days or even a week it may appear elsewhere. Try to Google Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution under the Videos option.

[si8bqm]

09:02 AM on 03/29/2010

Does no-one realise that cooking tasty meals for a partner is an unrivalled means of showing affection. That goes for either gender. Buying junk food for your significant other says ????
Smarten up folks and work a bit on your relationships-you might see some benefit from the stove.

[zenwhenicanbe2]

09:23 AM on 03/29/2010

Thats a good point. I'd take it even farther, I've had a sandwich at the same deli that was made by an irritated employee and by a happy employee. The "happy" sandwich with TLC in it tastes so much better!!! It's true

[Mona Holmes-Nisker]

09:25 AM on 03/29/2010

Interesting and OUTSTANDING point! I'd love to talk to you about a project I'm working on. Would you be game for it?

[si8bqm]

09:30 AM on 03/29/2010

Come on up & I'll cook you roas beef & all the trimmings. We can chat & eat.

[si8bqm]

09:35 AM on 03/29/2010

How do I contact you to arrange a chat--

[lewis3k]

08:29 AM on 03/29/2010

Given that my son and I can eat our share of nuggets with honey mustard; grill chicken sandwiches, here we come.

Im going to let him read this.

[PaleMail]

08:39 AM on 03/29/2010

Also, think twice about hot dogs and sausages. Like nuggets made up of all sorts of scrap.

[scottco]

09:22 AM on 03/29/2010

Yummy delicious scrap.
Kidding aside, I make my own sausage

[lewis3k]

08:27 AM on 03/29/2010

Given that my son and I can eat our share of nuggets with honey mustard; grill chicken sandwiches, here we come.

Im going to let him read this.

[NelsonBig]

03:46 AM on 03/29/2010

I say we reevaluate the school curriculum and, somehow, incorporate comprehensive, nutrition education.

Children should be taught what foods are good and which ones are harmful.

I've spoken about this to other parents and they fight me. Some feel it's indoctrinating. However, they'll be the first in line to take their kids to a Ronald McDonald show.

[drumsgirl]

06:34 AM on 03/29/2010

And so what subject should we take time away for from this? Math? Science? Reading?

The purpose of school is to teach academic subjects - period.

[Deaninphilly]

07:29 AM on 03/29/2010

Are you serious? So kids only have 3 subjects now for 8 hours a day? Really, must have missed something. Healthy eating is both a health class and a science class. Knowing what is good and bad for the body, science for knowing what vegtables contains what nutrients and how to grow them. This is academic stuff of which everyone should know, it's called survival.

[NoMissingTeeth]

08:50 AM on 03/29/2010

What are you smoking drumsgirl? School is for football-period.

[Citygirllost]

08:28 AM on 03/29/2010

While we're add it, can we add Civics back in as a mandatory class? So students might have some idea how their government functions on all levels? Instead of teaching "new math" and "intelligent design" can we actually help our kids to grow up as open minded, intelligent, logical and healthy adults?

[LHoney]

08:46 AM on 03/29/2010

While you're a little off topic, I'm fanning you for that!

[sonoffestus]

12:17 AM on 03/30/2010

WOW, missed your post . I'm all for a bit of civility. See my earlier post.

[Infostream]

03:21 AM on 03/29/2010

The whole idea of letting children decide what to eat is nuts to start with, and the school programs are penalized if the kids don't eat what they serve, so they end up serving "breakfast pizza".

Used to be your parents decided you were going to eat your vegetables or else, but nowadays most parent's eating habits are just as irresponsible as any 5 year old's, and the Oprah PC mentality prohibits any criticism.

[Gary Eisenberg]

01:34 AM on 03/29/2010

I just wonder if the results would have been different if he slaughtered the nice chicken in front of the children. Maybe, if they saw the whole process, the killing, the plucking the feathers off, they may have thought twice about wanting to eat the nuggets. Maybe, it would have been more instructive for him to make them a tasty vegetarian entree and say, "See, this is as nutritional as meat and no innocent animal had to be killed!"

[mpetitfrere]

04:16 AM on 03/29/2010

Eating meat has nothing to do with the innocence or guilt of animals. Man is omnivorous and built to eat meat, it's a biological fact not a moral issue.

[PaleMail]

08:47 AM on 03/29/2010

Omnivorous means eating both meat and plants. One can survive on eating plants only and be very healthy, eating only meat would be very unhealthy. Wealthy nations today probably include too much meat in their diets.

[OmegaHunter]

04:23 AM on 03/29/2010

Anthropologists believe that human brain-size increased because early humans began eating meat.

But why let facts get in the way of your self righteousness?