In a recent interview with BBC radio 4's Adam Shaw, the founder of an international pizza chain suggested that pizza was a "healthy" and "nutritious" when consumed in moderation.
The gentleman in question was John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's Pizza ... who stated in all sincerity that " You can't eat five or six slices but if you eat one or two slices it's very nutritious."
Predictably Twitter, the blogosphere and traditional media went mad ... a blunder ... too honest ... monumental PR screw-up ... flash of PR genius ... what about the shareholders ...
Here's my two cents:
- Pizza in any quantity hardly qualifies as "healthy" or "nutritious" ... let's get that out of the way right up front.
- However, there's no denying the pshychological benefits of a few slices once in a while for those that crave it.
Now here's where it gets interesting.
- to accuse Mr Schnatter of being "too honest" or making a "gaffe" is just plain insulting to everyones' intelligence ... or is it?
- Other businesses are expected to lie to us on a daily basis and we accept it numbly ... so come on Mr Pizza Man ... don't you know it's prudent to lie?
- Does anyone with an IQ surpassing an amoeba honestly believe that sales would have spiked if the main man had said that eating a full pie was the way to go?
- So why then is this ridiculous expectation still touted as expedient?
- Isn't someone just a little bit tired of being spoon-fed all this drivel?
- Conversely, to suggest that his comment was "responsible" in view of his interests is pushing it.
- I think the response was savvy because it didn't paint him as a total hypocrit.
- Or maybe pizza could be nutritious and I haven't yet grasped the benefits of processed flour, loads of saturated fat and non-raw, non-organic dairy?
Perhaps the most scary thing for me is that so many people thought the comment was inappropriate because he was who he was. Maybe one day we'll evolve to the point where we actually respect candour unembellished by diplomacy or "dumb corporate robot disease"?
Not in my lifetime. God that's sad!
The UK Food Standards agency is talking to business owners about the feasibility of food chains displaying calorie numbers on menus.
I'm just speculating here ... but isn't the reason most people have no idea how to eat healthy because everyone and his dog is so fixated on calories?
While the message is a) weak ... and b) limited to "calories", "weight" and "diet" ... obesity will get worse, not better.
Of course, by then there'll be a pill one can take.
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6 comments:
Just gimme the pizza with a side of diet pills and statins. Surely people are not that stupid! Surely everyone really knows what's right and wrong, they just don't care? Please tell me I'm right.
You're right, Jan!
Mr Shaw's error seems to be in trying to present his business under the umbrella of health/human services rather than under recreation/entertainment where it more properly belongs. No value judgment; just fact... I like a good veggie pizza (with extra hot peppers!) from time to time. Variety and moderation are the best assurances of better nutrition.
Hi.
Pizzas can be healthy, but not those from the stores. I do mine from scratch with lots of vegs and I think they can be preaty healthy.
Mr Shaw´s just trying to sell more.
Good Wednesday, Mizé.
It's all about comparisons. Pizza is healthy- compared to white bread. Pizza dough has a high protein content, and the sauce is high in lycopene, etc.
Personally? I'd rather go for one of Kashi's frozen pizzas. 7 whole grain crust, fresh veggies, fresh flavor, low fat, half the calories of other frozen pizzas (high salt, though), and totally nummy!
First, thanks to everyone for their comments ... most appreciated.
It's always interesting hearing other peoples' views, particularly about food ... and what they consider healthy, or not.
People sure love their pizza!
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