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"worth every calorie" - inappropriate phrase??

paperpudding
paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/

I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.

Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?

We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.

does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??

What do you think?
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Replies

  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,759 Member
    Welcome to the internet. :)
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,997 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    heybales wrote: »
    "Some explained how saying that something is ‘worth the calories’ feeds into ‘diet culture’, while others highlighted how phrases such as that one can impact people who have been affected by eating disorders."

    I'd suggest if people with eating disorders are watching the show - the impact of the show on their thinking is going to be much worse than a phrase.
    They probably shouldn't be watching the show in the first place if that easily affected.

    "Diet culture"? - meaning a lot of people are on, or have been on, or desire to get on, or know they need to be on, a diet to lose some fat for health or vanity reasons - but that's a bad thing?
    I just don't get that one.


    Ditto's to using the phrase is actually useful to so many people that may not realize you can account for the calories and enjoy something in moderation.

    I think "Diet Culture" is sort of a code word, in some circles, for a whole complex of ideas around prizing thin-ness, thinking fat people are lazy gluttons, pushing others toward abstemious self-denial and intense workouts as a pure virtue for reasons of weight loss/appearance, and that sort of thing.

    Depending on one's own personal mindset, "diet culture" might be a real thing, or a mythical thing, or a straw-man to rail against, or one of many other things. But I think usually when someone uses the term, it's a specialized, loaded term - like I said, a code word, kinda.

    I don't think it's usually understood to mean something simple and potentially benign like your bolded paragraph . . . granting, of course, that some segment of the world would be triggered by the bolded ideas, and consider it a clear case of Diet Culture. 😉

    ETA, in case it's not clear: I also don't understand why someone who struggles with EDs or the like, or who'd be triggered by "worth the calories" should or would be watching an indulgent-foods baking show. This story seems like outrage for outrage's sake, from folks not liking what's in other folks' lane.

    I find worth/not-worth the calories a useful concept, to me as a calorie counter. For example, grocery store cookies? Mostly not worth the calories. My favorite banana chocolate chip cookies from mama's recipe? Sometimes very much worth the calories, maybe even two of them as components in an impromptu ice cream sandwich.

    I just had a peek at Twitter and I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary there.

    I mean, everyone pops off about every little thing on Twitter. Sure. Some people were saying they were tired of Peru’s catch phrases. But OK. It’s a show that’s had a pretty good run so far. Sometimes the catch phrases will get a bit stale.

    I think this is a case of the newspaper trying to find something to write about that will sell papers.

    We do watch the show here. In binge-bursts. It’s really lovely to see all the wonderful efforts the bakers make. And it’s a great deal healthier for the emotional side of entertainment than anything Gordon Ramsey has starred in.

    I will admit to really cheering on some of the contestants. Even though we watch what are essentially reruns. :)
  • freda666
    freda666 Posts: 338 Member
    https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/

    I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.

    Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?

    We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.

    does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??

    What do you think?

    As you do not watch the show perhaps you are not aware of the context of this comment?

    When the food produced by the contestants is horrible the phrase "Not worth the calories" is used for laughs so it was just a quip with reference to that when someone, on this occasion, produced a particularly delicious confection.

    So, with respect, you are over thinking this.
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,997 Member
    edited October 2021
    well, no, I dont know that I am over thinking it - I didnt say I agreed that the comment was inappropriate

    I dont agree at all, in fact

    Just stumbled across it and thought it was a relevant topic to debate on MFP

    I deliberately made my OP neutral so as to open discussion from an unbiased starting point

    I don’t think you were overthinking it.

    I do think the newspaper writer was specifically to drive curious readers to the article.

    And, in order to prove my point, here is another recent article about how Twitter users are reacting to the show. Spoiler: It’s wholesome as heck. Zero fuss about Prue or calories

    https://www.huffpost.com/entry/great-british-bake-off-tweets_l_615b69abe4b008640eb7faaf/amp
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/

    I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.

    Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?

    We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.

    does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??

    What do you think?

    I'm reposting the article as I am not sure everyone read the link and so missed the comments that sparked the article.

    Yes, they are way overreacting. Either their relationship with food is such that they shouldn't be watching the show or they like outrage for outrage's sake.

    I stopped watching the show because it made me feel inadequate and hungry :lol:
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/

    I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.

    Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?

    We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.

    does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??

    What do you think?

    I'm reposting the article as I am not sure everyone read the link and so missed the comments that sparked the article.

    Yes, they are way overreacting. Either their relationship with food is such that they shouldn't be watching the show or they like outrage for outrage's sake.

    I stopped watching the show because it made me feel inadequate and hungry :lol:

    Heh...yeah, that's why I watch it while working out instead of sitting on the couch with food nearby. :D

    While most everything on the show looks amazing, I will admit that some of the very traditional British dishes they are tasked with making are not very appetizing to me.

    I really don't like the look of steamed puddings, fruitcakes, or lard-filled pastry dough packed with game meat.

    Sorry, @paperpudding, but your profile picture always turns my stomach a little...
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    Sorry, @paperpudding, but your profile picture always turns my stomach a little...


    ha ha ha, over the years have had various comments on my picture.(have had same one since joining 7 years ago)


    Ranging from how appetisting it is, makes people want dessert etc - to stomach turning. :o

    Even one poster who assumed, (incorrectly) because of my picture that I was from UK

    ah well, such is life :)

  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    edited October 2021
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    I'm reposting the article as I am not sure everyone read the link and so missed the comments that sparked the article.

    I stopped reading the article once I realized it contained spoilers for the 2021 season. Here in Canada we get the show a year behind, so the 2020 Bake Off just aired.

    And, old cynic that I am, I think "outrage for outrage's sake" is pretty much the defining characteristic of most popular social media platforms these days, sadly.

    eta quote tag mess
  • serena49
    serena49 Posts: 6 Member
    heybales wrote: »
    "Some explained how saying that something is ‘worth the calories’ feeds into ‘diet culture’, while others highlighted how phrases such as that one can impact people who have been affected by eating disorders."

    I'd suggest if people with eating disorders are watching the show - the impact of the show on their thinking is going to be much worse than a phrase.
    They probably shouldn't be watching the show in the first place if that easily affected.

    "Diet culture"? - meaning a lot of people are on, or have been on, or desire to get on, or know they need to be on, a diet to lose some fat for health or vanity reasons - but that's a bad thing?
    I just don't get that one.

    Ditto's to using the phrase is actually useful to so many people that may not realize you can account for the calories and enjoy something in moderation.

  • SammyW103
    SammyW103 Posts: 45 Member
    Seems like outrage for outrage sake. I think it’s a great lesson in the way people think about food. It’s about trade offs and as most of the things they bake are treats without much nutritional value so they need to taste amazing or they aren’t worth the calories. It should be taught to children,…. The show is great and I love when the contestants help each other. I do admit it makes me hungry for baked goods!