The US agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, is facing ridicule from congressional Democrats – among others – after claiming Americans can save money and have their meals align with new Department of Health and Human Services dietary guidelines by simply eating “a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli”, “a corn tortilla” and “one other thing”.

One representative even called the remarks “a slap in the face to struggling working families”.

Rollins made the remarks during an interview with NewsNation in response to a question about how average Americans will afford adapting their meals to the White House’s updated food pyramid, which emphasizes red meat, full-fat dairy and saturated fats while discouraging ultra-processed foods and sugar. The rising cost of groceries has been a major issue for Americans in recent years.

So, the Columbo approach to meal planning. And I do love having a single spear of broccoli for garnish atop a corn tortilla.

ETA: The irony of saying immigrants are the problem and then suggesting tortillas is … stunning.

  • TehPers@beehaw.org
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    4 days ago

    Wanna know what’s cheap, nutritious, and tasty? Black beans, white rice, and a corn (or flour) tortilla with a little butter (or butter alternative). Add some meat if you have it and some cilantro if you want, but the beans and rice are super cheap in bulk, and beans are great. You can also refry the beans (less healthy ofc) or cook the leftovers into gallo pinto. There’s also other ways to prepare them, like soups, tacos, burritos, etc. You can even turn the rice into horchata (just be careful to find a recipe that’s food safe!).

    Look, I grew up on this food, and it’s damn good. Also, the base ingredients are as cheap as it gets.

    Ironically, my partner is allergic to broccoli, so the suggested meal wouldn’t even work for us. And that’s of course ignoring vegans and vegetarians.

  • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    5 days ago

    the White House’s updated food pyramid, which emphasizes red meat, full-fat dairy and saturated fats

    MAHAA: More American heart attacks again

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOP
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      4 days ago

      I’d love to see what would happen if Trump were served a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli and a corn tortilla. What would the one other thing be? Goya beans?

      • wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz
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        4 days ago

        If the white house can’t afford a more elaborate meal than that, they’ll just take more money out of the SNAP budget so trump can have surf & turf with ketchup.

        You know, cause “fuck the kids” is his favorite motto…

        • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOP
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          2 days ago

          I don’t know that he’s particular about kids. “Fuck everyone who isn’t me” seems more apt.

          ETA: Oh, I just got the reference.

  • Banzai51@midwest.social
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    3 days ago

    And it was one piece of broccoli. Not a few stalks or whatever. These people have zero idea how normal people live.

  • MachineFab812@discuss.tchncs.de
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    5 days ago

    My work lunches are both more nutritious and have more calories. I spend all of five minutes tossing whatever looks good in my lunch-box.

    Could say the same about my youngest’s grade-school lunches, but my wife puts more thought into those.

    So their “meal” is meant to feed what? A fussy toddler who likes broccoli?

    • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgOP
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      5 days ago

      Hey, I was the weird toddler who liked broccoli. This said, Mom was very generous with the butter and Knorr Aromat. Sadly, in this scenario, you only get one more thing, so I guess I’d pick the Aromat.

  • octobob@lemmy.ml
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    5 days ago

    Is the “one more thing” a natty daddy tall boy because sounds like a great meal to me