When Food Kills, or At Least Gets You Fired

Here in 2009, we are bombarded each day with marketing and advertising and sound bytes.  Think of how many commercials you hear on radio or television, ads you see on-line, over your phone, in your email, your mailbox, or in the paper, everywhere we turn we run into someone or something trying to make us buy something, do something, or have a certain opinion.  We’ve long been at the point where it is tough to tell truth from fiction.  So how do you reach people who have trained themselves to tune out most of those messages?   Well, you could use a big electronic reader board!

Former Bay County (Florida) Health Department Director Dr. Jason Newsom had 1) an important message, and 2) a big electronic reader board and even THAT fortuitous combination may not get you noticed until you start taking on major American businesses like Dunkin’ Donuts and KFC.    Dr. Newsom, fed up with diet habits of average Americans, launched his campaign with gusto and wit.  And, as the old saying goes, “the electronic reader board is mightier than the sword.”  Scrolling across the board were his sayings, “Sweet Tea (equals) Liquid Sugar,” “Hamburger (equals) Spare Tire,” “French Fries (equals) Thunder Thighs,” and he parodied the “America Runs on Dunkin’” campaign with, “America Dies on Dunkin’.

He was given the choice of resigning or getting fired after “a county commissioner who owns a doughnut shop” and “two lawyers who own a new Dunkin’ Donuts” were less than amused.  It is a good thing too, before he came up with more such as:  “Eat a double fudge sundae and meet your maker,” or “Six cookies (equals) six feet under,” or even, “Hot dogs are kinda gross when you think about it.”  But, alas, we can only wonder what that reader board would have led to. 

Just so you don’t think Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t have a sense of humor, you can even buy a “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Starbucks” pre-shrunk, cotton, t-shirt on their website.   We’ve checked and they offer other t-shirt sizes besides triple extra large. 

At Fantasy Healthball, we don’t have an electronic reader board, but you can check out our nifty slogans on our website.  And though linking major companies to a certain death may not have been Dr. Newsom’s brightest idea, if you read our nutrition section you won’t find us advocating for donuts or fried chicken.  Okay, well maybe on special occasions.  Yes, our lawyers made us say that.  — Jim Ballard

Now Endorsed by Mitzi Dulan!

 

 

Jeff and I are excited to announce a brand new endorsement from America’s Nutrition Expert Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSD.  Mitzi is an expert in nutrition, exercise, and wellness.  She is currently the team nutritionist for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.  You may have seen Mitzi on CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, Discovery’s Science Channel, or heard her on NPR. 

 
Learn more about Mitzi at her website or her blog where you can read about her 10 cities in one month media tour January 2009 or check out her new videos to start losing weight. 

 
Mitzi recently co-authored a book with sports nutrition consultant Dr. Christopher Mohr called Fuel Like a Champion – A Young Athlete’s Guide on What to Eat.  Readers of the Fantasy Healthball blog absolutely know who Tony Gonzalez is.  Just a ten-time NFL Pro Bowl Tight End for the Chiefs.  Tony said about her book that it gives athletes, parents, and coaches the info young athletes need to perform their best. He says, “Just like a high performance race car uses the best fuel available, you must eat well to reach your full potential as an athlete.”

 
We appreciate Mitzi as a fan of Fantasy Healthball (and we appreciated Tony’s thousand yard season in our fantasy league this year!).  We also want you to have the best fuel available for your high performance race car/body.  We want you to go vrrrroooom around that track.  Check out Mitzi’s great info and tips.  You’ll be glad you did!  — Jim Ballard