Eat Like A Gilmore Girl

I want to first start this post with a disclaimer that while I will be critiquing choices made in the hit show “Gilmore Girls”, I am one of the biggest fans of this series and these observations in no way change my opinion of the show.

Within each decade and even each generation, there are T.V. shows and movies that impact and hook their audience so much that it almost shapes individuals and can diversify the way they feel about many different aspects of their lives.

Many are aware of the obesity issues in America and if you’re not aware, well, there’s an obesity issue in America. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, in 2009–2010, 2 in 3 adults were considered obese or overweight. More than 1 percent, 35.7 percent, were considered obese.

Don’t worry, I’m not here to scare you with 7 year old statistics, I’m here to show you how these results might relate back to “Gilmore Girls”. This series ran from 2000–2007 (ending just before the statistics above). Within many media, there are certain levels of health and or lifestyle tips that are communicated to the audience. “Gilmore Girls” is an example of a show that does not promote healthy eating and in return displays many insanely unhealthy routines and habits.

A theory that can demonstrate a connection between obesity rates and the lack of health communication would be the cultivation theory. This theory looks at media’s effects on attitudes and behaviors. In watching “Gilmore Girls”, the audience sees Rory and Lorelei scarf down pizza, french fries, coffee, and candy as if their town was throwing it all out.

Lauren Valenti of marieclaire.com wrote an article titled “I Went on the “Gilmore Girls Diet” — and I Lost Two Pounds”. While Lauren’s article doesn’t demonstrate an immediate and specific effect of eating like the Gilmore Girls, it does demonstrate the fascination that viewers have with the way Lorelei and Rory eat.

It has even become almost an excuse or a reasoning behind eating unhealthy foods. Kayla Spector, from The Odyssey online, wrote the gif-inspired “14 Times ‘Gilmore Girls’ Makes You Feel Good About Your Love For Food”. Sure this article is fun and relatable to many, but what does that say about our eating habits as a society? It’s okay to eat as much as you want because Lorelei and Rory Gilmore are probably eating more? Spoiler alert: They’re fictional characters. Their bodies are not actually reacting or not reacting to the food that is being consumed on the show.

As I stated in the beginning, these observations in no way change my opinion of this series. I’ve just found it fascinating how I was so sure that I was being fed some kind of health-filled promotion through every and any form of media when one of my favorite shows is doing the opposite.

I encourage you to pay close attention to some of your favorite shows or movies. What types of healthy habits are being communicated or not communicated? Has this affected or influenced your own personal health?