Michelle Obama SHOULD be allowed to indulge in Shake Shack

I’ve been particularly impressed with Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign to fight childhood obesity. I wholeheartedly believe this is the biggest problem facing kids in this country today. The obesity epidemic is scary and could produce some detrimental effects in all facets of life. As a child (and adult) who battled (and still battles) with weight management, I am especially passionate about this issue.  I know how living at a health weight makes life better both emotionally and physically.

Today, in the hour that I watched the news, I heard at least three separate judgmental references to Michelle Obama’s indulgent meal at Shake Shack.  Reportedly, she ate a burger, fries, milkshake and Diet Coke totaling approximately 1700 calories. 

I take two major issues with these criticisms.

First of all, although this reason is quite surface level, Shake Shack is delicious!  Living in New York City, I discovered this delicacy within 3 months of moving.  In the year that I lived in the Big Apple, I ate Shake Shack about 10 times.  Yes, it is fast food, but more importantly, it is okay to indulge from time to time. 

This brings me to my next point.  No food should be off limits. This is where dieters go wrong.  By restricting a limiting foods such as hamburgers, fries, and shakes, dieters feel deprived and restricted.  If you’re anything like me, this just makes me want the off limit foods more!  The best thing for all people to do is to allow yourself all foods, but in appropriate portions. Portia de Rossi, author of Unbearable Lightness and actress who struggled with a serious eating disorder, addresses this exact point at the end of her book.  She essentially says that, at the moment when she no longer deprived herself of certain foods, she felt freed and actually lost weight.  Being allowed the option to eat ice cream decreased her overwhelming desire to have it all the time.  This non-restrictive lifestyle (not diet) has been the single plan that has worked for me as well.  (Look into Weight Watchers)

So, in conclusion, I hope Michelle Obama enjoyed her delicious meal at Shake Shack.  I admire her for showing that, yes, people can enjoy fast food on occasion and still maintain a healthy weight.  To me, she is a healthy and realistic role model.  I certainly wish I could have joined you, Michelle!