Presidential Shenanigans: George H. W. Bush and Broccoli
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush made news by stating his dislike for vegetable considered by many to be a part of a healthy diet. The New York Times called it "a proclamation that every child, and many adults, have dreamed of making." The proclamation concerned broccoli. The president made headlines by announcing that he never ever wanted to see another sprig of broccoli on his plate. He made the statement to a reporter for the magazine U.S. News and World Report. He told the reporter: "I do not like broccoli." He meant it. The president imposed a ban on broccoli aboard Air Force One. He told the reporter, "And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli!" The subject arose during a news conference that President Bush was having about developments in Europe.
Bush was said to have had a healthy appetite whether on board the Presidential plane or otherwise. The Times reporter described how the president "eats with a shoveling motion, bent over his plate, sometimes sticking his napkin into his shirt like a bib so he won't soil his shirt and tie." This was confirmed by his former speechwriter Peggy Noonan, who said the the president eats "like a big teen-age boy, unembarrassed by hunger." Noonan's reports were confirmed by another aide compared his diet as similar to that of a teenager. Pete Teeley said, "Junk food is his lifestyle."
Bush's pronouncement upset many nutritionists, who were concerned about the influence that the President wielded. Bush presented as very healthy and fit. They were afraid that the chief executive could start a trend that would undo much of the progress that had been made in the promotion of healthy lifestyles. When President Bush expressed a taste for pork rinds, sales jumped 11 percent. Another White House employee named James Pinkerton commented to the Times, "People are definitely looking for relief from the masochism of the fitness craze, and if the President will let them off the hook and let them become kinder, gentler and flabbier, we'll all be grateful." White House staff let the cat out of the bag about Bush's snacking, and liking of beef jerky, nachos, tacos, guacamole, chile, refried beans, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued ribs, candy, popcorn, ice cream and cake
Pete Teeley expressed some amazement that the President, who jogs regularly, can "eat like a horse" without its affecting his weight. Bush maintained a steady weight of 190 pounds and his cholesterol was at a healthy level. But sometimes his unhealthy eating habits met caused problems for his dinner guests. Once President Bush had breakfast with Denver Broncos Quarterback John Elway. The meal caused Elway to miss that night's Monday Night Football game. Coach Dan Reeves complained that the President had fed Denver's star player "the worst-looking thing you can imagine: creamed chip beef."
First Lady Barbara Bush was more sensible on the subject of healthy eating. The president referred to his wife as "a total totalitarian" when it came to broccoli and other green vegetables. She threatened to serve him a meal of broccoli soup and salad, a broccoli main course, and then, in Mrs. Bush's words, "finish it with a little broccoli ice cream."
In response to news of the comment, George Dunlop, president of the Washington-based United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, arranged for a large donation of two truckloads of the vegetable to the White House, a gesture that was met with appreciation by the First Lady. Dunlop called broccoli "a green beam of light" referencing from one of President Bush's famous thousand points of light. He presented the First Lady with a ribboned vegetable bouquet. The two truckloads which contained 10 tons of the California-grown vegetable, were donated to a capital-area food bank. The First Lady responded by saying "Millie [her dog] and I thank you for the broccoli. We'll eat it." As for her husband however, Mrs. Bush said "If his own blessed mother can't make him eat broccoli, I give up." She added, "I am never going to eat pork rinds, ever." The broccoli growers, not giving up on their president, also sent along a sheet of recipes, on green paper, for broccoli stir-fried, sauced, baked, souped or casseroled.
The President's statement actually helped sales of the vegetable. "We're doing a brisk business, and it's because of the President," according to Steve Adlesh, director of sales at Apio Produce of Guadalupe, Calif. "Broccoli has never enjoyed so much publicity." He said that since the President's comments, broccoli sales had suddenly risen by 10%.
Over a quarter century later, a 92 year old former President Bush received a letter from a 5 year old boy named Cooper who defended the vegetable (even though his twin brother agreed with Bush's dislike for the vegetable.) In a tweet President Bush praised the young man's love of healthy eating, but said that it was not moving enough to persuade him to like broccoli.
Bush was said to have had a healthy appetite whether on board the Presidential plane or otherwise. The Times reporter described how the president "eats with a shoveling motion, bent over his plate, sometimes sticking his napkin into his shirt like a bib so he won't soil his shirt and tie." This was confirmed by his former speechwriter Peggy Noonan, who said the the president eats "like a big teen-age boy, unembarrassed by hunger." Noonan's reports were confirmed by another aide compared his diet as similar to that of a teenager. Pete Teeley said, "Junk food is his lifestyle."
Bush's pronouncement upset many nutritionists, who were concerned about the influence that the President wielded. Bush presented as very healthy and fit. They were afraid that the chief executive could start a trend that would undo much of the progress that had been made in the promotion of healthy lifestyles. When President Bush expressed a taste for pork rinds, sales jumped 11 percent. Another White House employee named James Pinkerton commented to the Times, "People are definitely looking for relief from the masochism of the fitness craze, and if the President will let them off the hook and let them become kinder, gentler and flabbier, we'll all be grateful." White House staff let the cat out of the bag about Bush's snacking, and liking of beef jerky, nachos, tacos, guacamole, chile, refried beans, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued ribs, candy, popcorn, ice cream and cake
Pete Teeley expressed some amazement that the President, who jogs regularly, can "eat like a horse" without its affecting his weight. Bush maintained a steady weight of 190 pounds and his cholesterol was at a healthy level. But sometimes his unhealthy eating habits met caused problems for his dinner guests. Once President Bush had breakfast with Denver Broncos Quarterback John Elway. The meal caused Elway to miss that night's Monday Night Football game. Coach Dan Reeves complained that the President had fed Denver's star player "the worst-looking thing you can imagine: creamed chip beef."
First Lady Barbara Bush was more sensible on the subject of healthy eating. The president referred to his wife as "a total totalitarian" when it came to broccoli and other green vegetables. She threatened to serve him a meal of broccoli soup and salad, a broccoli main course, and then, in Mrs. Bush's words, "finish it with a little broccoli ice cream."
In response to news of the comment, George Dunlop, president of the Washington-based United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, arranged for a large donation of two truckloads of the vegetable to the White House, a gesture that was met with appreciation by the First Lady. Dunlop called broccoli "a green beam of light" referencing from one of President Bush's famous thousand points of light. He presented the First Lady with a ribboned vegetable bouquet. The two truckloads which contained 10 tons of the California-grown vegetable, were donated to a capital-area food bank. The First Lady responded by saying "Millie [her dog] and I thank you for the broccoli. We'll eat it." As for her husband however, Mrs. Bush said "If his own blessed mother can't make him eat broccoli, I give up." She added, "I am never going to eat pork rinds, ever." The broccoli growers, not giving up on their president, also sent along a sheet of recipes, on green paper, for broccoli stir-fried, sauced, baked, souped or casseroled.
The President's statement actually helped sales of the vegetable. "We're doing a brisk business, and it's because of the President," according to Steve Adlesh, director of sales at Apio Produce of Guadalupe, Calif. "Broccoli has never enjoyed so much publicity." He said that since the President's comments, broccoli sales had suddenly risen by 10%.
Over a quarter century later, a 92 year old former President Bush received a letter from a 5 year old boy named Cooper who defended the vegetable (even though his twin brother agreed with Bush's dislike for the vegetable.) In a tweet President Bush praised the young man's love of healthy eating, but said that it was not moving enough to persuade him to like broccoli.