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Subscribe to RSSMichelle Obama stopped by TODAY for an interview with Matt Lauer, discussing the cringe-worthy shirts her husband sometimes wears at home, whether or not he dyes his hair, where job growth is headed and, of course, her Let's Move campaign battling child obesity, which is celebrating its one year anniversary.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY's Matt Lauer, first lady Michelle Obama praises her husband in his effort to quit smoking and says her daughters do not use social networking site Facebook.
When asking about sweeping changes in school cafeterias, Matt got a bit protective about his beloved side.
"You’re not gonna take my kids' tater tots, though?" Matt quipped.
"Do you want them to have the tater tots?" the first lady asked.
"I want the tater tots."
In addition, Matt asked her about the menu of delicious (but thoroughly unhealthy) treats served at the White House's Super Bowl party. Is there room for such guilty pleasures while fighting the fat? Why yes, there is!
"I’ve always talked about balance in this campaign … we’re really trying to make some changes. If you go at a parent and say you can never take your kid to get a burger, you’ve lost them. That’s not the reality that we live in… that’s not my reality, so I do talk openly about my obsession with french fries … This isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. Life is about good food, at least in America," she explained.
Well put, Mrs. Obama!
Click here to watch the full interview.
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I live in Jackson, TN. My granddaughter goes to a local public school. She is in K-5. We would go over the lunch menu every morning letting her know her "choices" then after several times of coming home and saying she wasn't offered salad I finally went to the school. Talked to the cafateria manager and she told me they don't offer salads to children until 2nd grade! I talked to the Principal and he called the school board to get me an answer. Guess what? The Madison Co. school board/Superintendent decided not to offer salads to this children! I called the phone # on the menu that says to report "discrimination" No answer...ever. I just needed an outlet to let Ms. Obama know.
Thnak you,
Karen Sykes
I finally pulled my son out of the JMC school system when he was in high school. He kept getting in trouble for correcting the spelling and grammar on handouts that teachers distributed, etc. Your granddaughter is lucky she is only in grade school...the schools just gets worse and worse. Wait until she doesn't get to eat lunch at all because there are too many fights in the cafeteria. Now that Superintendent Zambito is leaving, I only expect things will go from horrible to tragic.
I was trying to email Mrs. Obama, my concern is as a foster parent We are required to keep our children in public schools unless we pay for private school. My question is how do we get our state and federal government to assist us in tuition.
Stop asking the government to solve all your problems
I am a " lunchlady". The nutritional guidelines set by dese in the state of missouri are very specific. We are required to provide lunches that are healthy, low in fat and salt. I fry nothing and you'll be happy to know we are keeping the tots (baked not fried) The fact of the matter is while a salad is low in calories its also very low in nutritional values.
Nutritional education is whats needed, for parents as well as the children. More often than not it's the poor choices made at home that are leading to the childhood obesity problem in this country.
Great Interview Matt, I really enjoyed it. I do believe Mrs. Obama could have a political career of her own. I would vote for her.. Wow could you imagine, Michelle Obama, vs. Sarah Palin in 2016???
Though it made for so-so reality television, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution or whatever he called it brought up some interesting things when he did the school at those West Virginia schools. The BIGGEST problem he showed America was that the kids wanted what they liked and the parents wanted peace and quiet and for their kids to eat - regardless of what it was (in other words, if the kids were full who cares if it's junk).
A gradual yet consistent shift needs to take place to replace the garbage with good food. Build better habits slowly but BUILD THEM! Slowly transition plants and processors to better things and techniques, so they maintain their "bottom lines." Will kids always prefer chicken nuggets over pasta salad? We won't know unless we try, right?
If you don't start kids off with the sweet salty processed foods considered bad for us, then they can't crave them. Just cook for your children along with the adults. there might be a few things they won't eat, but generally being encouraged to try everything and not dumbing down the menu is a positive for the children and for the cook!
I think every parent should thank Mrs. Obama for trying to make healthy food seem cool. I'm sick to death of all the high fat, sugary commercials aimed a children. You can't go through a store without hearing some child begging for junk food. I'd much rather have them begging for apples!
I'm not thanking Michelle O. for anything. Really??? I thank myself, and my husband on a daily basis for our
loving, nurturing and healthy home. As soon as our children could eat solids they were given healthy foods.
We discuss choices and balance on a regular basis. It's really a no brainer.