I was watching TV last night, and one of those wonderful adverts with Steven Hansen, possibly the best All Black coach ever came on. Hmm. Would the All Blacks really eat such non-food?
The New Zealand All Blacks are the most consistently successful sports team in history over the past 100+ years. Why with all the influence the All Blacks have, are they and the coach pushing us to eat the very foods that are contributing to the obesity and ill-health epidemic?
Arnotts are health washing their hyper-palatable ultra-processed food by buying associations with the best sports team in the world and its coach.
It kind of reminds me of cigarette advertising and how big tobacco achieved a clean healthy image by being associated with doctors.
Has Steven Hansen not been aware that the primary culprit in the increase in obesity and health related issues is the rise and rise of ultra-processed food?
Humans are suffering from diet related physical and mental diseases more now than in any time in history. Rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes will bankrupt our health system, young people are killing themselves at record rates. Suicide and depression are linked to poor diet, and eating an improved diet can reverse depression. A diet the removes ultra-processed food.
One simple thing the All Blacks and their coach can do is use their enormous influence to encourage our young to eat real food from the land with little or no human interference.
As a post-grad educated nutritionist, I’m dismayed at what Steve Hansen and team are advertising.
They can do better, they should do better. It is not good enough to have the top team in NZ pushing crap down our throats for money.
Do the All Blacks really eat Shapes and similar ultra-processed food?
Not if the current nutrition coaches have anything to do with it.
BREAKFAST: Peanut butter on toast and roasted tomatoes. Omelette with egg whites, butter and coconut oil mixed in. Simple greens like spinach and a half an avocado. Fresh fruit including oranges and bananas (for their potassium content).
LUNCH: Lean chicken, rice, pasta and sweet potatoes eaten at least three hours before warm ups.
PRE-MATCH: Porridge with bananas, almond butter and honey. Water and some salts/nitrate supplements probably encouraged.
POST-MATCH: Nuts and nut butters, fluids and simple fruits. Shake with whey protein, bananas and walnuts.
DINNER: Red meats including steak, lamb chops and ribs. Green vegetables including spinach, guacamole and brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes.
In another article
Under the influence of strength and conditioning coach, Dr Nicholas Gill, the All Blacks have moved to a low sugar diet.
“The movie ‘The Sugar Film’ has influenced the players quite a lot I think. Most of the guys now understand that we need to get the sugar out,” explained Gill last year.
“We’ve come a long way. I would say we are in a low-sugar environment. That’s a big change. We now have nuts on the sideline after training, not lollies. I wouldn’t say we’ve made it all the way to high fat, but we have healthy fat on hand when we need it. Those healthy fats include coconut oil and peanut butter.
This is rather at odds with Victor gobbling a packet of TimTams 4367kJ (1043 calories, 22 teaspoons of sugar)
Kat Darry is the current nutritionist for the All Blacks. I wonder what she thinks?
I think Steven Hansen and the boys need to watch “That Sugar Film” again
Lets be very clear – Arnotts has no interest in health, their only interest is in selling more product. Associating their product with philanthropy and health are tactics to make their product look good and sell more. Nothing less. Don’t be fooled.
In fact in an analysis of the processed food industry found their tactics are very similar to those of the tobacco industry (Ask Arnotts about their view – and I guarantee it will echo the points below)
Focus on personal responsibility as the cause of the nation’s unhealthy diet.
Raise fears that government action usurps personal freedom.
Vilify critics with totalitarian language, characterizing them as the food police, leaders of a nanny state, and even “food fascists,” and accuse them of desiring to strip people of their civil liberties.
Criticize studies that hurt industry as “junk science.”
Emphasize physical activity over diet.
State there are no good or bad foods; hence no food or food type (soft drinks, fast foods, etc.) should be targeted for change.
Plant doubt when concerns are raised about the industry.
Holding their feet to the fire. Very thorough post Julianne. It’s so disappointing to see the health professionals acting mute when they need to be speaking up as you have.
I think part of the problem is that ultra-processed food and drink is marketed so ubiquitously by Sports teams we hardly notice. To be honest since doing the research for “Why Are We Fat?” documantary – my eyes have been opened to the nature of ultra-processed food marketing
Love this post, Julianne!
Thanks Anna!
Holding their feet to the fire. Very thorough post Julianne. It’s so disappointing to see the health professionals acting mute when they need to be speaking up as you have.
I think part of the problem is that ultra-processed food and drink is marketed so ubiquitously by Sports teams we hardly notice. To be honest since doing the research for “Why Are We Fat?” documantary – my eyes have been opened to the nature of ultra-processed food marketing