April 3, 1946 – The Education Short Film Planning for Good Eating is Delivered to the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs
“Yes, it’s this same plan, a plan of eating the three necessary types of food that keeps our friends in fine health.”
On April 3, 1946, the educational short film Planning for Good Eating was delivered to the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. During wartime, the Disney Studios kept itself afloat by producing several educational and training shorts for various government offices; Disney kept up the practice after the war was over, which included several shorts featuring the likes of Donald Duck and Goofy.
The short begins with the narrator explaining the diet of several different animals, stating that their one source of food works well for them. He then introduces Careless Charlie and his family, who try to survive on one source of food. He notes their rundown condition, as they don’t seem to realize that man needs more than just beans and cornbread. Corn and beans are the same type of food, and the family is missing out on animal products, as well as fruits and vegetables. Each builds one of the three main needs of a human’s body: muscles, bones, and energy; a combination of the three builds resistance against disease. The narrator tells Charlie that he needs to eat the correct foods, and he is able to grow these foods in his own yard. His family helps him to provide the foods he needs. The family then sits down to a wonderful stew with all three types of foods, with the family looking much healthier and happier. Careless Charlie is then renamed Careful Charlie. Mrs. Charlie is then given a special shout-out, as she works to include all three types of foods into every meal she cooks. The narrator then provides a list of foods that are part of the individual food groups. He stresses the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, especially for growing children. Charlie is rewarded for his hard work, and a combination of all three protects his family from disease and granting them good health.
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