First Lady Michelle Obama celebrates after Marcus Wilson Jr. (not pictured) throws out the first pitch before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on July 5, 2011 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Michelle Obama had a burger. Are you outraged? Her critics are.
A Washington Post reporter spotted the First Lady ordering a burger, fries and a chocolate milkshake for lunch on Monday at a local Washington D.C. Shake Shack. The report makes it clear that there is not evidence that Mrs. Obama actually devoured all of the fast food herself or shared it amongst friends, since the entire restaurant was shut down for her lunch.
But the post did harp on the fact that the meal was 1,700 calories in total.
As Jezebel writer Whitney Jefferson points out the implication that Mrs. Obama shouldn't be seen wolfing down a fatty meal: she is suppose to be a spokesperson for healthy eating, particularly with the Let's Move campaign.
A number of nutritionists jumped up to Mrs. Obama's defence saying that even with something as seemingly unhealthy as a burger, there are some positive nutritional attributes.
To be fair, there is something to be said about the First Lady being conscious about her food options given her public stance on childhood obesity. But many of her defenders have pointed that one Shake Shack meal shouldn't crush her credibility after completing important nutrition initiatives like revamping the severely outdate food pyramid. The new food chart is called MyPlate and is itself a symbol of proportionality and moderation. Moderation above all else seems to be at the crux of Mrs. Obama's healthy living agenda.
And if that's the case, one burger - even with a creamy chocolate milkshake and a side of deep-fried fries - is still in moderation when put in the larger context of her diet and exercise routine. This is a woman who told Oprah she regularly gets up at 4:30 a.m. to hit the treadmill and lift weights. Until more of her critics can make that claim, maybe they shouldn't be so quick to judge.
As one registered dietitian pointed out, one of the best things the First Lady is doing for healthy living is being honest about her own practices - french fries obsession and all.
What do you think: Does she always have to walk the talk? Or is one big meal no big deal?
Madeleine White