What would Michelle say? President Obama wolfs down TWO chili dogs and fries... the day after his wife unveils new dietary guide



Mr Obama also visits Chrysler factory in Toledo - and fails to mention grim unemployment statistics

When his wife unveiled the USDA's new nutritional plate yesterday, there definitely wasn't a space for chili dogs.



But that didn't stop Barack Obama wolfing down two in Toledo today - with fries and an extra bowl of chili on the side.

The president happily munched on the unhealthy meal before he visited the city's Chrysler factory, and even teased one of his hosts for ordering ketchup, a faux-pas in his home town of Chicago.

Getting stuck in: President Obama wolfs down a chili dog and fries at the famous Rudy's Hot Dog in Toledo

According to USA Today, he told representative Marcy Kaptur: 'Marcy just wants ketchup. By the way, as an aficionado of hot dogs, you shouldn't put ketchup on hot dogs... I'm trying to teach my girls.'

Those culinary lessons would hardly go down well with his wife, Michelle, who has spent this year touring the country on a crusade against childhood obesity.

Yesterday she unveiled the USDA's new healthy-eating guide, which replaces the famous 'My Pyramid' with a plate divided into four nutritional quadrants: fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins.

But as her husband chowed down at the famous Rudy's Hot Dog with Toledo's mayor, the only sign of 'vegetables' appeared to be some fried onions.

Yes please: President Obama leans over to collect his plate of fries at Rudy's Hot Dog, Toledo...

...and can't resist nibbling on one as he chats to Toledo Mayor Michael Bell, centre, and the owner of Rudy's Hot Dog, Harry Dionyssiou, right. The restaurant sells 8,000 chili dogs a week

He ordered the house speciality chili dog, which comes with mustard, onion, chili sauce and cheese, and topped it up with a bowl of chili and a portion of fries on the side.

As he entered the restaurant, which claims to sell 8,000 dogs a week, he told the restaurant owners: 'These guys, whatever they want; I'm buying.'

And he teased one of the cooks, USA Today reports, telling the owners: 'She says she's worked here 30 years. That means she was under-age when you hired her.'

Both Mr Obama and his wife Michelle have made healthy eating a focal point of their time at the White House.

Tasty: President Obama enjoys every mouthful of his chili dog - the day after his wife Michelle unveiled a new healthy eating guide for the entire nation

Healthy crusade: Michelle Obama pictured yesterday as she launched the USDA's new 'My Plate' nutrition guide



The First Lady is renowned for her toned arms and vegetable patch, while the president works out every day.

And the odd chili dog might not do him too much harm - he has been criticised in the past for being too thin, with Arnold Schwarzenegger teasing him for his 'skinny legs'.

After his meal, Mr Obama headed to the Chrysler plant for an event to celebrate the resurgence of the car industry.

But while he patted himself on the back for bailing out the failing company, he drew criticism for failing to mention the dour news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which revealed the unemployment rate had inched up to 9.1 per cent as employers in May added the fewest jobs in eight months.

Optimistic: Mr Obama jumps on to the stage before addressing employees at the Chrysler factory in Toledo - but he failed to mention today's grim employment statistics

While he admitted the economy is 'taking a while to mend' and faces 'bumps on the road to recovery', he instead focussed on the turnaround in the car industry.

He told the assembled workers the government has recouped much more money than expected from the capital it sunk into Chrysler and General Motors two years ago to save them from collapse.

He said: 'This industry is back on its feet, repaying its debts, gaining ground. Because of you we can once again say the best cars in the world are built right here in the U.S. of A.'

The workers repaid the favour, with one saying 'thanks for helping me keep my job' as he shook hands after a shift.





