I wrote this piece last year to honor The Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th birthday, but today the beloved children's book was used in the Read for the Record Day. Millions of kids read the picture book along with teachers, parents and celebrities. It was one of my son's favorites and he still has it in his bookshelf.
I had a little fun with the book, breaking down the insect's "food journal." Let's check out the little bug's eating plan (with annotations):
- On Monday he ate through one apple. But he was still hungry. (Should have had some peanut butter or string cheese with that -- a little protein and fat for staying power)
- On Tuesday he ate through two pears, but he was still hungry. (A little surprising because as fruit goes, pears are high in fiber, but still, mix in a little protein; a nonfat Greek yogurt would be lovely)
- On Wednesday he ate through three plums, but he was still hungry. (Plums are quite small)
- On Thursday he ate through four strawberries, but he was still hungry. (Strawberries are among the lowest calorie fruits as they are full of water)
- On Friday he ate through five oranges, but he was still hungry. (But you did get more than a day's worth of vitamin C)
- On Saturday he ate through one piece of chocolate cake, one ice cream cone, one pickle, one slice of Swiss cheese, one slice of salami, one lollipop, one piece of cherry pie, one sausage, one cupcake, and one slice of watermelon.
That night he had a stomachache. (Well, no wonder, buddy. You overdosed on fat, sugar and refined carbs!)
The next day was Sunday again.
The caterpillar ate through one nice green leaf, and after that he felt much better. (Some may call this a remorse salad)
