Thursday, November 5, 2009

Freebie Alert: Stuffed Giveaway!

I'm very excited to announce that my first giveaway is the book Stuffed: an Insider's Look at Who's Really Making America Fat by Hank Cardello.


In the book, you will learn how grocery stores, restaurants, and food manufacturers manipulate you to purchase less expensive and less nutritious products. Then, you'll discover ways to avoid their traps and make healthier food choices.

I just finished reading Stuffed, and I feel like this is a book every American should read. Not only was it interesting (For example, do you know what the "underwear aisle" is at a grocery store or the "Sullivan nod" is at a restaurant???), but it was also informative and thought-provoking. In fact, it has inspired me to do a mini-series of blog posts regarding the obesity crisis in America.

Yes, I said crisis because, in my opinion, something MUST be done SOON to stop our exponential weight gain in America. Obesity increases a person's risk for developing many different diseases like type II diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, and certain types of cancer. And, of course, all of these diseases have been linked to reduced quality of life and sometimes shorter life expectancy!

Coincidentally, I read this book during the annual Obesity Society meeting that was held in Washington, D.C. last week. In future posts, I will present some of the information I learned from these 2 sources. My hope is that the arguments I present will make you stop and think before you purchase and eat food. Awareness and knowledge of the problem is half the battle so, together, we can help change America!

But back to the giveaway! To enter, visit Hank Cardello's website and comment, in this post, on something you see there (let's start a discussion, people!).

Here are ways to get extra entries:
1 entry - Become a Cake Walk follower
1 entry - Add the Cake Walk button to your blog
1 entry - Make a post about this contest on your own blog
2 entries - Refer a friend to Cake Walk (your friend must leave a comment and mention you by name in the comment; you both will get 2 entries)

No cheating! I will check to make sure you are a follower and that the button is on your blog! Leave one comment per entry please. The giveaway will end November 13th at midnight eastern time. Good luck!

45 comments:

Emma said...

Sounds interesting!

His website sounds like he is advocating government initiatives to change what we eat. While I agree getting America skinnier would be a good thing, I don't want the government interfering any more!

Why should my tax dollars go towards someone else telling me what I can and cannot eat? Ultimately it's choices people have to make themselves.

Emma said...

I am following your blog now.

Mare/TommyGirl said...

I agree with his myth about government intervention to an extent. I would say that the government should do more to make healthy foods more accessible to those on welfare and schools should try to adapt their lunch programs.

But as far as monitoring each individual - not only do I think it's not possible, but not right.

Also, just added your blog to my follow list.

gretaoh said...

Sounds interesting... I'd love to win it!

ky2here said...

It amazes me how judgemental and harsh we've become. This is important to look at - I'm naturally thin but I get disgusted at the ugly nature of how our obese citizens are treated.

Amber said...

I think it's important that Hank recommends capping restaurant meals with an upper bound of calories.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

sweepmom said...

He is so right on in his comment about the problem needing to be solved within the food industry. Americans have clearly demonstrated that knowledge alone isn't working. We are in a crisis that is going to cost our country dearly.

5webs said...

I learned from Cardello's website that one of his suggestions is to "Advertise and promote lower calorie options more aggressively compared to their higher
calorie, less nutritious offerings". I agree, but not to really push that they are lower in calorie, but that they are healthier and that you'll feel better if you eat them.

5webs said...

I follow your blog
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net

Sue said...

I don't want any more goverment mandates or restrictions on personal freedom of choice. People will eat what they want to eat. I would like to see 2 things happen: 1) The government should subsidize healthier school lunch programs. As a teacher, I am often appalled by what I see on students' lunch trays - carbs, carbs, carbs. Where are the real fruits and veggies? 2) There should be some incentive to buy fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. These are oftentimes the most exprensive items in the grocery store and, therefore, not options for those on a limited budget. Prices for processed foods with unhealthier ingredients make them the choice of many budget-wise shoppers. Why does it cost more to buy something that hasn't been processed? Doesn't the processing cost money???

sweetsue said...

I learned that he recommends tax incentives to food companies that lower calories in their products.
smchester at gmail dot com

sweetsue said...

I'm a new follower.
smchester at gmail dot com

elaine said...

His position makes sense-if you want to weigh less,eat less-and restaurant portions could sure be cut back!

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Anonymous said...

It's not just the cheap and non-nutritious choices at the stores and restaurants, it's the combination that we consume foods in as well.

spike said...

Studies have shown that organic foods contain higher levels of antioxidants which are good, but, again, do nothing to lower your weight

Laura C said...

I am a cakewalk follower.
pcollins@viscom.net

samarcy said...

what an intresting book, i learned Myth: I can eat more if I choose foods made without trans fats.
Reality: Not so fast. Eliminating trans fats from fried and baked foods, while better for your heart, will do nothing to take off the pounds since the replacement baking and frying oils contain the same # of calories. Nice try!

Anonymous said...

I learned that the real solution lies with the food industry – marketers of packaged foods and beverages and restaurant chains. It’s not a question of blame; it’s just that they are the only ones who can make a dent in solving the problem.

plur268 at yahoo dot com

wwrk said...

I would love to win this great book.

wwrkster@gmail.com

intensev5 said...

I agree with his thinking that removing soft drinks from school vending machines will help our kids.However, he states that "so far only 4% of schoolchildren who attended schools without soft drinks in vending machines actually reduced their intake of daily calories." I think this means as parents we also need to take a stand with our children and help instil healthy eating habits in themselves and ourselves. Taking pop out of schools is not enough!!! Thanks for the great giveaway:)

Darcie K. said...

I liked his section on the myths and realities. It is interesting to know that the makers of Dannon have increased their profits by pushing healthier choices. It shows that many of us are interested in healthier eating.
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I am a Cake Walk follower.
dmkayes@gmail.com

thaeter7 said...

lots of myths to check out.I would love to read this book.
rally_thade17@hotmail.com

ChrisNY2 said...

Interesting: The author suggests pushing those 100-calorie packs that we've been seeing. He says that even though they add up to extra profits for manufacturers, the health benefits (ppl. eat so much less with them) outweigh it.

chrisny2(at) aol(dot) com

ChrisNY2 said...

I'm following your blog :)

virgomomwriter said...

I absolutely LOVE the map of the US made of food on the cover of the book. That picture is worth a thousand words!

Winning Readings said...

Wow - this has been in the news a lot!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Winning Readings said...

Following!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Winning Readings said...

Posted about this at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/stuffed.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Jennifer T. said...

I think it's really interesting that he suggests restaurants place a cap on the caloric level of their food.

Jen V said...

I agree with his position that the food industry should be held responsible for the rise in obesity in this country. A man after my own heart! I have a degree in nutrition so this is a topic that is near and dear to me. Not only are portion sizes ridiculous but the chemicals they are adding to our food are downright scary. I hadn't heard about this book before but I am going to be on the lookout for it. I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!
ssovrnej (at) gmail.com

Jen V said...

I follow your blog through google friend connect. (Jen V)
ssovrnej (at) gmail.com

erma said...

I am a google follower.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I think adults should eat what they want, if they want to be obese let them be, it's their bodies. As for children it's not only the parents responsiblity but also the school systems to ensure that they are being taught about healthy eating so the cycle doesn't repeat itself. I would love to read this I bet it's very interesting.

shawnac68@hotmail.com

Lala77 said...

I was interested in seeing that this is a global problem. So, much of what I have read and seen previously has focused on the United States. I do think portion sizes are out of control and that more of an effort could be put into educating people about that. The reason why I say this is because even eating too much of something that is reasonably good for you can contribute to obesity.

bookloon@gmail.com

Kimberly said...

I learned that Hank does not just work at a consulting firm, but also is the chair of the Global Obesity Business Forum. It is really scary what things can be in our food. I highly recommend the book Twinkie: Deconstructed for anyone who enjoys this book.

Anonymous said...

Great cover photo on the book! I am a follower.

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Susan said...

I agree with Hank Cardello's myth that government must intervene to solve the obesity crisis. It's not up to the government, it's up to us. Okay, the guidelines are good, but we need to educate ourselves to make healthy food choices.

Oh, I love all the "bad for you" foods and I do eat them, but in moderation. For example: today I was craving a donut, so I stopped and bought 6 donut holes. I brought them home and ate 3 and will save 3 for tomorrow.

I think the best way to do is to start with educating the kids today on healthy choices they can make. There needs to be more emphasis made to adults on the long term effects of unhealthy eating. My husband and I discuss this all the time.

Susan said...

Cake Walk follower

Hotsnotty2 said...

Hank says the real enemy is the number of excess calories available for consumption, and the way to slim down America is to engage the food industry by incenting them to cut down the calories sold to consumers.

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Brandy said...

I agree about removing soda machines from schools. Children are easily influenced and tempted enough; we need to make sure healthy options are promoted. Plus children can get soda at school even if their parents don't allow it at home.

Shane said...

I learned that he appeared on Good Morning America. That's a good start. However, we all know Americans need to lose weight. Talking about it only does so much...

Gloria's Bits and Pieces said...

I agree with him that the real enemy is the number of excess calories available for consumption, regardless of the source. The only way to slim down this beast is to engage the food industry.

kngmckellar@hotmail.com

cman said...

Myths sounds interesting.

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