Cookie Monster Makeover

Amazing... Cookie Monster has gotten a makeover. Now, in addition to gobbling cookies in a flurry of hands and crumbs, Cookie Monster will also scarf down fruits and vegetables.

Even a new song has been written for Cookie Monster's new image: "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food." The goal of the new song is to help kids understand the role of moderation in diet.

If you're a long-time reader of The Health Blog, you know I'm not a big fan of television. But I am glad to see that Sesame Street is making an effort to influence children to develop healthy habits.

And while I'm on the subject of children's media, let me call your attention to something else I've noticed... That is, children's books are rife with references to sweets and sugary foods.

Stephanie and I have gotten into the habit of taking our two-year-old daughter Annabelle to the library every week or two. We check out about ten different board books each time to keep Annabelle's reading material fresh.

What's been shocking to me is how many books focus on sweets and sugary foods. One that comes to mind is Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick. Another one (which I happen to think is a great book) is Jamberry.

The trouble is that nearly every book we check out reinforces emotional attachment to sweets. Frankly, it's hard enought to get children to eat healthy foods without the contrary influence of television and children's books. With their influence, it's even harder.

So—bravo to Sesame Street for bringing moderation into Cookie Monster's life. And if you happen to write children's books, would you please help us parents out and not write about sweets. Thanks.

Comments

[Ken Dix]

I can't wait for the Cookie Monster to appear on Oprah to admit that he suffered from bulimia and depression due to a steady diet of cookies.

[Cat]

The Cookie Monster makeover ticks me off and I think it's ridiculous! They've gone too far with this one. I am one of the healthiest eaters I know, have been since I was a kid, even though I spent a good deal of time in front of the TV and was never denied dessert when appropriate.

But I LOVED Cookie Monster and had enough common sense, even as a child, to realize that one cannot live on cookies alone. I also realized that Cookie Monster was a BLUE MONSTER PUPPET, not a real person and that his rules were likely different.

All the fun and creativity is being taken out of his character with all of our modern-day diet paranoia and craziness. I know we have a weight problem as a country, but how far must we dummy everything down so that people can understand that there is more to good eating than cookies? What's the parent and teacher role in this?

I don't know about you, but I don't want to watch Cookie Monster binging on fruits and veggies... kinda loses his crazy and funny charm ("ME WANT APPLE!" does not have the same ring). It's a sad end of an era.