Hypocritical food choices?

Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama caught a lot of flack for a trip she made to a D.C. Shake Shack. There, she ordered and consumed 1,700 calories worth of fries, burgers and milkshakes. Immediately, media outlets responded by calling Michelle, who is an advocate for healthy eating, a hypocrite.

My question is this: Although there was really no redeeming value in Michelle’s order, is it really worth dethroning her as a nutrition queen?

Here’s my take…

Throughout the time her husband has been in office, Michelle has done a great deal of good in the fight against childhood obesity. She helped bring about the new guidelines for a “food plate” rather than the flawed pyramid. She has also encouraged physical activity and healthy, local eating.

[source]

There’s no denying that these programs are a long time coming, considering that one in three American children are overweight or obese. Something must be done and someone needs to speak up. So, who better than the first lady?

The reason that Michelle is such a good candidate to lead the health initiatives is that she is a highly public figure. Unfortunately, that is also her downfall. As long as she continues to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles, there will be people tracking her every move and scrutinizing her decisions.

Does that make her any less of a role model? I don’t know, but it sure does prove that she is relatable.

I’m not trying to make excuses. I really don’t see any positive aspects to Michelle’s Shake Shack order. However, I can understand where she was possibly coming from. Heck, there are times when I just crave the molten lava chocolate cake from Chili’s.

It’s delicious. It’s incredible. It’s really, really sinful at 1,270 calories and 65 grams of fat.

For that reason, I don’t go out and order it for dessert every night. But, if once a year, I’m with a few friends and we decide to split a cake, I can almost guarantee that I wouldn’t say no.

So, until I see Michelle ordering gut-busters from Shake Shack every single week, I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt. That’s because the bottom line is this: Shake Shack’s nothing but garbage, but it’s not worth throwing Michelle’s healthy eating campaign into the trash.

Questions: What do you think? Do you think it’s acceptable to have occasional diet splurges?

Notes: Be sure to enter my Somersault Snack Co. giveaway!