Posted on 05/30/2014 4:59:54 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Today, the National Potato Council praised the House for considering a bill to include the potato in its WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) food nutrition ("food stamp") program. The Council also debunked First Lady Michelle Obama's claims that including the potato would "override science" and that Americans are already eating enough of them.
The Potato Council notes that the First Lady's science is based on old data - not the latest government reports:
"Opponents of adding fresh potatoes to the WIC package are picking and choosing the science. Instead of relying on a 2005 report that looks at data from the mid-1990s, we argue that important federal nutrition programs should be based on the latest available science - in this case, USDA's own 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans."
"We appreciate the House and Senate members and staff who reviewed the science and the history of the WIC fruit and vegetable voucher program, and support a path forward that will allow WIC participants access to fresh potatoes."
"Based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the most recent CDC consumption data, all Americans, including WIC participants, are under consuming nutritionally rich potatoes."
"Since potatoes are a recognized source of potassium, fiber, and folate - nutrients that are deficient in many WIC participants' diets - adding them to this important federal nutrition program is grounded in science. We are confident that allowing participants to purchase any fresh fruit or vegetable in the produce aisle reinforces WIC program's mission to provide both nutrition and nutrition education for low-income women, infants, and children who are found to be at risk. In addition, adding inexpensive, nutrient-dense potatoes to the basket will help WIC mothers stretch their WIC dollars and reduce confusion at checkout."
At issue is First Lady Michelle Obama's commentary in today's New York Times opposing the House initiative to add the potato to the WIC program - in which she says it would "override science" and claims women and children are getting enough potatoes:
"Right now, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to override science by mandating that white potatoes be included on the list of foods that women can purchase using WIC dollars. Now, there is nothing wrong with potatoes. The problem is that many women and children already consume enough potatoes and not enough of the nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables they need. That's why the Institute of Medicine - the nonpartisan, scientific body that advises on the standards for WIC - has said that potatoes should not be part of the WIC program."
But, as the Potato Council explains, the updated government data show women and children aren't consuming nearly enough potatoes:
"Unfortunately, women and children - including those in the WIC program - are consuming fewer starchy vegetables today, not more. The government's own data (Center for Disease Control's 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)), show that women in the 19-30 age group consume only 2.4 cups of starchy vegetables per week, meeting less than half of the 2010 DGA-recommended intake (5 cups) for women with a 2,000 calorie diet. The diets of both male and female children also fall short of the 2010 DGA recommendations. For the 2-4 age group, girls consume 0.6 cups per week less than the maximum recommendations for starchy vegetable consumption, while boys consume 1.4 cups less."
The white potato is the only fresh fruit or vegetable excluded from the WIC program. Even such nutritionally-dubious items as sugar cane are allowed.
PING!
Potatoes....one of those great foods that fill your tummy. And gravy...a whole jar is 100 calories.
Mrs. Obama, SHUT THE F*** UP! .. and go back on vacation!
Why is the government telling us what to eat??
Moosehell just created a few hundred thousand potatoe conservatives.
It is an historical fact that in the early 1800s Irish Croppers ate, on average, about 8 pounds of potatos a day, and they had millions of descendents...very healthy ones indeed.
Mossehell is so full of it , that her ears have turned into anuses.
Moochelle is proof positive that stupid people always believe that they’re the smartest person in the room.
We need to replace wic and ebt programs with some contract companies that box up basic emergency food packages and ship or arrange pickup for those that need it.
This would help eliminate the fraud associated with the current system. Plus, it would reduce productive citizen animosity that come from seeing people buy prime cuts of steak when the productive people may have to bypass even the low price ground stuff so they can stay on budget.
My Mother always told me the jackets of potatoes contain rich vitamin/minerals. She raised eight healthy children. Michelle puts too much butter on hers maybe.
Even more to the point...
“...not the latest government reports...”
Why does the Potato Council need to rely on government reports to verify that ‘taters are good/safe to eat?
Interview asked what the boy ate for breakfast. 'Potatoes' was the answer. Same question for lunch and supper. Same answer.
The interview asked if that's all the boy had.
The boy replied, "Of course not, I have a spoon."
/johnny
This is insane. What Michelle and the potato council should be doing is educating people to eat the whole potato especially the potato skins.
A personal note. Yesterday, I was shopping, and what I encountered was hilarious and heartwarming. A young woman, 21, who is three months pregnant decided to do it right and work at it to have a healthy child. Her mother brought her shopping for the first time with her WIC list. The young woman did not know how to buy healthy foods as she always ate out junk food. The young woman was radiant and accepting the shopping situation with grace and humor. WIC might actually be a rarity....a gov program that does good, enabling this woman and others to have healthy pregnancies.
And then, you have the person that maxes out their WIC purchases and sells their booty to someone out the back door,
buys booze, cigarettes, and junk food with the proceeds.
230 = 230
They're saying it's more accurate. Huh????
If one wants to see the pitfalls of overreaching beauracracy, one only has to look at this “debate”. How many pencil-pushers do you think we’re paying for to solve this important and difficult policy decision?
=================================================
BACKSTORY The itinerant WH parasite (AKA the first lady) is getting ready to launch herself into a political campaign....on the backs of hungry children.
Notice that Michelle is looking---and sounding--- more and more like a candidate everyday. Recent news clips of the I/P making the HS grad speech (where she ordered kids to squeal on their families) shows she's been coached well. The way she used one hand to subtly gesticulate while making her points, was the tipoff.
Let's go back to her last trip on the taxpayers' dime.
That would be the I/P's pricey China trip.... "sold" to Americans as a "non-political" visit...she was just there to chat up education.
But all of her appearances and inane remarks were connivingly structured for one purpose: to set herself up as a future candidate....and doing it on our dime.
MISSION CREEP Then the WH let loose with the final explanation....that her trip, and the tripe she was pedaling, was "soft diplomacy" ---- to "ease tensions" between the US and China (which have further deteriorated).
Come again? Who elected this self-serving creep? Who gave her diplomat credentials? She was there to "ease tensions" between the US and China---but flopped bigtime as Us/China relations have deteriorated even further.
I just can't wait til candidate Michele announces that she's s-o-o-o-o popular, she raised $50 million dollars in 2 hours.
But I hope Valerie Jarett doesn't get carpel tunnel syndrome wire-transferring federal funds offshore for Michele's campaign expenses.
ROTFLOL.
The baked potato is sustaining, life-enhancing and delicious.
I wonder if Michele is a fan of the Potato Famine - for others, not herself.
I’m not above eating the skins of potatoes left by friends when we dine in restaurants. They are the most delicious part of the potato - of course, I’m talking about the Russet, not Yukon Golds, etc.
Idaho voted for Romney?
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