Nutrition:
Newfangled Scam or What?


Never having done any scholarly research into the history of nutrition, I've always just assumed that nutrition is hardly a new idea. Imagine my surprise when I came across an article with the cutely laid out title:

Ask a stupid question...

My answer is, "Yes, probably. But are you, um, sure you've got a handle on the whole nutrition concept to begin with?"

 

I don't have any problem with people donating bacon fat to the war effort, though I'll admit I am a little curious as to just what the war effort used to do with it. I'm even more curious, however, as to why anyone would want to take a perfectly nice steamed broccoli and "season" it so it tastes like bacon fat.

Perhaps the biggest question of all: Just what kind of "food value" did they think bacon fat had, exactly?

I am a little disappointed that no one suggested using it as a substitute for Brylcreem, though.

 

Why have you never heard of the "Karo Kid"? I'd imagine that ad campaign was one of the worst in history. I swear that picture gave me nightmares the day I scanned it in. "Strong and healthy" my ass! Try "creepy and offputting," if you're looking for truth in advertising.

Speaking of truth in advertising, did people really think that corn syrup was good for babies? I'm trying to picture a family that would keep a pitcher of corn syrup on their table to pour on top of everything. Except I keep getting distracted because the stupid Karo Kid skeeves me out so badly.

 

Positively loaded with vitamin-rich luncheon meat! Happy Tossing indeed!
Mm, those anchovies, olives, the Clear French Dressing and particularly those "spicy luncheon meat strips" are just "packed with vitamins." Oh, yeah, there are a few token vegetables, just so they can call it a "salad" (sorry, but a couple of mangy lettuce leaves lining the plate doesn't count). And hey, that looks like it might be one entire carrot sliced up wafer thin for decoration around the edges!

They also claim there are radishes and celery, not that I can find them. Oh, wait, I think I might see a few celery sticks masquerading as luncheon meat. This recipe is from the '50s, so I think it's pretty safe to say that "nutrition" hadn't reared its ugly head by then either.

 


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