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Encyclopaedia Britannica FilmsEat for Health (1954)

Ralph learns the five food groups, helping him to eat a balanced diet, and has more fun because of his better health.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Encyclopaedia Britannica Films
Sponsor: N/A
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Health and hygiene; Food; Nutrition

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Sara_no_h - - December 3, 2008
Subject: this reminds me
My fiance was like Ralph before he met me. Slowly but surely I have turned my meat and potato eater onto fruits and veggies!

Reviewer: KayLhota - - October 22, 2008
Subject: I Remember seeing Educational Film this in School!
Evidently, "Eat for Health" was still being circulated in Elementary Schools into the early 1960's, because as a little girl, I clearly remember that I saw it. It must have made a huge impression on me, although I always was a pretty good balanced food eater. Maybe that's one of the reasons: I couldn't imagine a kid not liking to eat peas!
--Kay Lhota

Reviewer: unzar - - December 10, 2006
Subject: Sounds like what I eat!
After listening to the narrator list each food group I came to the astonishing conclusion that all of these desirable foods are on my Burger King Double Whopper with Cheese! Yea!!!!!
The End.
Added Info: A tomato is a fruit.

Reviewer: ERD - - January 8, 2006
Subject: Nicely done
Nice film that teaches and motivates children to eat properly. (In reality,it does seem, however, that Ralph's mother was also at fault in not supervising her son's eating habits) Since children of that generation grew up seeing black and white films and TV, I don't think the food looked as bad to them as today's viewers who are used to color.

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - January 7, 2006
Subject: The Flying Five Fickle Fingers of Food
This charming grade-school film from the 50s teaches children to eat from five food groups by counting on their fingers. Ralph just doesnÃÂÃÂt have much pep until he stops eating candy bars and starts counting out the food groups heÃÂÃÂs eating from on his fingers. This probably went over with its intended audience about as well as Posture Pals. Nevertheless, itÃÂÃÂs fun to watch them try. ItÃÂÃÂs also fun to see the silly visual aids and the terrible-looking food, especially the vegetables.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - April 29, 2003
Subject: Poor Ralph!
Ralph doesnt have any pep to go skating with his friends.. Why? He's not eating from all the 5 food groups! Had he known that, he would have discovered that 'eating is fun' and 'you can get more friends'. A highly bizarre showcase of food eating is shown, with children eating, yes, ONLY from one of the food groups. One child deliriously gulps down milk, another chows down on brocolli etc. Since this is in black and white, uhh, the colors don't exactly shine throught making the foods seem LESS appetizing. A VERY curious film, it's highly reccomended!

Shotlist

Using the five fingers of each hand as a check off device, the film identifies a food group with each finger. Using this system, Ralph learns to eat a balanced diet and has more fun because of his better health.


Ken Smith sez: This film teaches youngsters that "eating with others is fun," though only if they follow a sensible diet. "Ralph" has such bad dietary habits that he has no pep, but once he learns that he should eat an egg a day and that "meat is good for you," everything is fine. Unfortunately, there's not enough faulty information in this film to make it worthwhile. The pandering narrator can also be heard in Appreciating Our Parents.

FOOD GROUPS EATING DIETS BREAD BUTTER MILK CHEESE MEAT EGGS VEGETABLES FRUITS HANDS NUTRITION CHILDREN BOYS HEALTH EDUCATION
Danger Lurks Safety