Bizarre? Not really. The commercial is all about putting the nutrition ball right where it belongs _ in the parents' court. And just in case you are in the mood for a lecture, I've prepared one here. Feel free to zone out now _ especially if you aren't a parent, don't expect to be a parent and don't really care about the trials of being a parent.

Yes, I know parenting is tough. I know kids can be difficult. I know this from experience. But the reality is this: Bad nutrion isn't society's fault. It isn't the fault of American culture or peers. Good nutrition has to start with mom and dad.
Parents need to realize that fast food and junk food is fake food, and fake food is addictive. The flavor of this fake food is so far removed from the flavor of real food that a steady diet of fake food makes real food distasteful to children.
Consider these flavor mis-matches: Nacho ``cheese'' vs. cheddar cheese. Wonder Bread vs. real whole wheat bread. A fresh peach vs. a peach fruit snack. Chicken nuggets vs. roasted chicken.

*Note: There is no vegetable comparison because vegetables are all but absent in the fast food, junk food diet, and therefore entirely rejected by fake food eaters.
To raise a real-food eater, parents need to start early and stay focused. Flavorful foods from all food groups should be served from the time the child learns to swallow.

Flavor that oatmeal with fresh fruit. Serve blue cheese pasta, guacamole and jambalaya. When the child wants a treat, serve dried fruit, a homemade cookie or a piece of real chocolate, the dark kind that's good for your heart. The payback for years of nutrional piety? Research suggests that a child who eats well is much more likely to be a healthy child.

-- Jolene Thym