MP’s need to slim down gluttony

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This is my reaction towards the audacity the MPs in parliament have to actually go on record saying “fattening” food in parliament is causing their obesity.

It is somehow daunting to think of the gluttony and the wealth infesting the parliamentary building, as they fill their pockets with a salary of a minimum R900 000 a year (not including perks), and their stomachs with three-course lunches, snacks, full breakfasts and drinks of their choice.

We, of course, are also thinking of the many people starving in this country, while members of parliament roll around in the aisles – literally.

I wonder, do you not have a choice to rather eat a one-course meal? Did the caterer force their faces into the plates and make them eat all the food on offer? How else to explain a rather unhealthy Cabinet.

And now, parliament’s wellness chief is undertaking the task of ensuring that the legislature’s menu is changed. Not bad, for health’s sake, but if everything is fatty and oily, that caterer or chef should have been posted a long time ago.

Now, the MPs bawl that they are provided with too much yummy food and they cannot resist the temptation of rather choosing something less fattening and eating less.

ANC MP Sheila Sithole said that “if you look at members, they come here nice and slim, but they all go out obese.”

Mmm… shocker!

It is said that MPs get a lavish breakfast that provides sandwiches, full-cream yoghurt, fruit, coffee, tea and sparkling juices. I really think the fruit and perhaps a cup of tea would suffice.

Then, when their meetings continue through lunch, they get finger foods that include lamb chops, roast chicken, samoosas, hake medallions and Russian sausages.

Well, the roast chicken sounds like a good option. Easily remove the skin and voila!

And then, in parliament’s restaurants, they don’t get one plate of food, but three. And, yes, no starving children allowed.

MPs can choose soup or salad (good choice) as a starter, then steak, chicken (nice and healthy), lamb or fish (perfect health food).

ANC MP Zukile Luyenge said: “There is a variety of food, but it has fat, including fish. It’s better to stick to the meat rather than eat fish prepared here in parliament.”

What happened to the take-a-healthy-lunch to work policy and drinking water?

Members of parliament, instead of choosing to eat a three-course meal plus a massive breakfast each day, and probably going home to another large meal to fill the gut, try picking the healthier salads, chicken or fish without all the other side orders.

And don’t forget to cut out those fizzy drinks!

As a journalist, I have in the past had the pleasure of attending catered events with the political elite of our country. These foods are fabulous, I must say. How on earth do you decide not to eat the cheesecake dessert?

Yes, I confess, I have had my day at these events, where I enjoyed the full three courses, eating the delicious things I would never eat on a regular basis. And I must add, there isn’t just one type of meat, or fish or dessert and salad – there is usually a variety to choose from.

These days my lunch pack consists of cereal for breakfast, then fruits and a healthy sandwich for lunch. Very basic I might say.

I am sure with that fancy parliament pay check these MPs are able to afford a dietician? Or get a nice cookbook that helps you the Weigh-Less way?

But no, their lack of health is blamed on parliament.

What about taking responsibility for your own incompetence and inability to resist? What about choosing the meal with the least amount of calories?

Yes, decide not to pack a huge plate full of food; decide not to eat all the courses; and decide to be healthy. I am almost certain that within the entire parliamentary menu there must be healthy choices?

And in the meantime, while MPs are getting fatter because parliament made them do it, they have forgotten to feed the South African nation.