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FOOD NEWS
Presidential Candidates' Favorite Foods Get a Healthy Boost
Featured Recipe: Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Find out what the candidates like to eat and how we made their favorites healthier.
By Michelle Edelbaum, Associate Editor, EatingWell
Since I’m totally obsessed with election coverage and food, I’ve been wondering about the candidates’ favorite foods. Since I know McCain and Obama are busy campaigning, I don’t expect them to call me back, but in the meantime, I did a little digging and found in no particular order the candidates’ favorite eats (and suggestions for healthier versions of their faves).
It turns out that Barack Obama is a comfort-food guy. (Maybe not a big surprise for a Midwestern dweller?) His wife, Michelle, told Paula Deen that her husband’s favorite grub is a steaming bowl of chili, I discovered when reading an Associated Press article. If we were going to cook for Obama, we’d put a low-calorie, high-fiber spin on this classic dish and make him a rib-sticking bowl of our Beef & Bean Chile Verde served with all the fixin’s—reduced-fat sour cream, grated Cheddar cheese, chopped scallions and chopped fresh tomatoes.
John McCain likes his meat. His favorite food is baby back ribs, I read in the USA Today blog On Politics. Since EatingWell is all about health, we’d have a hard time coming up with a ribs recipe that fits into our healthy nutrition guidelines. So, if we were going to dine with McCain, we’d give him a chance to taste how good our heart-healthy, succulent oven-cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches are.
Joe Biden loves Italian food. I read on The Boston Globe’s website that when Biden cooks, and when he eats out, he picks pasta. Apparently he often orders penne with tomato sauce and basil when he dines at Toscana Kitchen + Bar in Wilmington, Delaware. Makes it simple for us health nuts. If we were going to break bread with Biden, we’d dish up healthy whole-wheat penne pasta with easy, basil-spiked Raw Tomato Sauce.
Sarah Palin likes to have a hand in her meal from field to fork. I read in The Globe that Palin’s favorite food is moose stew, made with moose she hunted herself. We love knowing where our ingredients come from, but given that we’re cooks over here at EatingWell, and not hunters, we’d probably cook Palin hearty Flemish Beef Stew, made in a slow-cooker with beer for extra flavor.
What do you think about the candidates’ favorite foods? Tell us and share your own favorites.
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| USER COMMENTS — Add Your Comment |
As with his politics, I'll go with Obama. But he should try the Cincinnati Chili sometime. It harks back to the ancient Greeks.
v. hochkiss, Cincinnati, OH |
Obama gets my vote on this issue, as well as most others. Chili is always delicious and has so many interesting variants, with Cincinnati Chili a perfect example.
Delia Robinson, Montpelier, VT |
Please introduce them all to Mediterranean diet. But Obama is more health aware.
J. Rodrigues, Luanda - Angola, NY |
I may be a McCain fan, but all the recipes look fantastic. However, with the pasta, I would like a side of turkey meatball. As for the stew, I still prefer red wine instead of the beer in the sauce.
Elaine, Ambler, PA |
I have found out today that I have one more reason to like McCain, I love beef! Add in a thick slice of Strawberry Cheesecake drizzled with caramel and I'm in heaven. Please find a low calorie Cheesecake. I'm missing it so much.
Rebecca Holtorf, Ocean Springs, MS |
I don't eat the meat, so I would have to go with the Obama/Biden ticket. Of course that's where I was going anyway though all the candidates look healthy. Biden gets my vote for best meal and if you put a vegetarian spin on the chili, I’m there also.
Nancy, Citrus Heights, CA |
Obama's chill gives me gas (as does he). Never had moose; pasta has too many carbs; so I'll have the pulled pork sans bun.
Gary, Elkins Park, PA |
I would have to go with Obama/Biden. I'm a native born Texan and savor the flavor of a spicy bowl of chili. As for Italian, delicious. When I think of Italian, I think of olive oil. Not only is it healty for you, it is also very tasty as a dipping sauce. So, I would say great healthy choice............
Roberta Williams, Huntsville, TX |
I'll go with Obama/Biden. I love Spicy food and chili is one of my favorites...the spicier the better. Being Italian, I was raised on good Italian food. I am a retired cook and cook a healthier Italian now for my husband. I only use olive oil and tweek my grandmother's recipes to make them healthier. As far as Palin goes, she should get off the Republican ticket, go back into the Alaskan woods and kill some more moose! At least she is qualified for that!
Beverly Evanoff, Tryon, NC |
Obviously Obama/Biden are more health conscious and it shows. Someone with McCain's health history should be avoiding that much red meat! It is clear that wise choices in meals often line up with choices elsewhere. Would be nice to have leaders who are positive food role models.
Jan, Wichita, KS |
Chili is great for anytime of year, it opens up your taste buds and heats up your body with spice! Chicken is a great substitute for beef. OBAMA is my candidate, with his administration in charge that will give US ALL COMFORT!
Robin, Panama City Beach, FL |
I would go with Obama, am a vegtarian.
pam, Miami, FL |
I like a self-sufficient woman who stands up for what she believes -- and who won't starve if a grocery store isn't nearby. I'd love to try Sarah Palin's moose stew, though I'd skip the skinning it part. I think she can handle that by herself ...
Gretchen, Nashville, TN |
Comfort food is my thing,too. (Although, I'll have my chili made with ground turkey)so Obama all the way.
Valorie, Jackson, MS |
I have to go along with Sarah Palin's Moose Stew. Obviously not too many readers have tried it. Like Sarah I think the stew would surprise everyone. You go girl. I'd love to hunt Moose with you sometime.
Sheila Hall, Jefferson, MA |
Although I am vegetarian, so I would go along with Obama´s choice. I find Sarah Palin an aberration. So, no comment.
Carla, San Diego, CA |
Never had moose but have had elk. Elk is a lean red meat so I would go with Palin. I like elk.
Ruth, Kingman, AZ |
I am a chef in northern mn. we've planned two election bar entrees. 1. john McCain spicy chicken sandwich with smokin joe the plumber bbq sauce, beer battered hockey mom onion rings. 2. Obama waffle chili fries topped with jojo poppers.
mike hopkins, Ranier, MN |
of course health concious and a good balance dieters are the best specially for a good example as a President for the County
Thanks for EatingWell Market
Go Obama/Biden
P Perez, Sunnyvale, CA |
I go with the Obama/Biden ticket already. I was born and raised in DE. I now live in PA but I am still a Delaware girl. I too love Toscana Kitchen & Bar especially the pasta!! Chili has always been a favorite recipe in my house.
trish, Blue Bell, PA |
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