Carol Alt, Cheese and O'Reilly - the video

We finally got our hands on the Carol Alt / O'Reilly Factor video that we covered back in February 2005. Since this clip is sooooooo entertaining and we have sooooooo many new readers, we're just going to go ahead and re-publish our original post, (but now you can play the lovely video on our site).

Carol Alt, Cheese and O'Reilly (Feb 2005)

For those of you that missed it, Carol Alt, supermodel and rawfood eater (like 70% raw), graced television screens across America on Jan. 12th, 2005. Carol appeared on a little show called The O'Reilly Factor.

Carol was clearly working hard to avoid coming across as a treehugger, (she talked more about eating meat, dairy, and fish than fruits and vegetables). She did, though, try to educate Bill about the possibilities of the rawfood diet. However it is pretty clear to see Bill O'Reilly was a tad bit confused.

Here is one of our favorite quotes from the segment:

O'REILLY:When I think of raw food, I think of celery. Now do you eat celery like you're a little rabbit or something?

ALT:  No, I don't eat celery. I don't eat celery. I eat raw milk, cheeses.

Okay we couldn't resist, one more:

O'REILLY:  In the morning when you get up, what do you eat?

ALT:  I'll have cheese. I'll have...

O'REILLY:  Cheese?

ALT:  Yes, I'll have cheese.

O'REILLY:  Like a little mouse. Cheese.

Yes Bill, cheese for mice and celery for a rabbits. Get with the raw program. Full transcript and video.

Comments

[david seth]

I'm sorry. I simply cannot tolerate Bill O'Reilly. And what kind of commercial tofu phony baloney is it for Carol Alt to pander to this jerk? I know she wants to sell her book, but do we have to reach the lowest common denominator? Anyway, if anyone's paying attention, she looks great, and he looks, well, like Bill O'Reilly. Doesn't that say everything that needs saying?

[Vegan Momma]

I was confused listening to everything she does eat. :-)

I do think it was a great idea to appear on O'Reilly. She reached people that might not have heard about raw foods.

[AP]

For anyone who doesn't understand raw food it was a bit confusing- she sears steak, eats fish and popcorn. She says she is not a vegetarian or a vegan.

[Vegan Momma]

What I thought was confusing, and other viewers might have thought the same thing, is she did not mention (I don’t think) what type of fish she ate. If she ate fish from your regular waterways many are contaminated. Fish flesh stores contaminants, such as PCBs, dioxins, radioactive substances like strontium 90, and other dangerous contaminants like cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium. That's not very healthy.

Personally I am familiar with raw foods. I have done a lot of research on the subject besides I have always eaten a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit on a daily basis. Until a few years ago I never knew there was a name for it. ;-)

[Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach]

In spite of the odd bits ("no I don't eat celery" - eh?!) and making it sound like a predominantly raw meat and dairy diet (!), I think Carol puts herself across very very well. She's confident, obviously looks great and has a very good energy about her. I can see that this would make people at least take a further look at it, there were some good points too : )

[Patty MI]

Carol Alt is the reason Ive gone raw thank God for her. Her book totally inspired me. She is my age and looks amazing. I think the majority of people dont want to hear the truth no matter how its portrayed . They just love cooked food too much to give it up.

[Tandi]

MOST raw foodist DO NOT eat raw meat or dairy, disgusting not only disgusting but dangerous!! I can guarantee you that Carol Alt is the host to many parasites from raw fishes and meats!

The majority of raw foodists are vegetarians, we eat fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted nuts, seeds, grains etc.... We do make nut and seed cheeses and dehydrate crackers, tortillas etc... But raw meat is proposterous and Carol Alt is a terrible example of a raw foodist, she simply doesn't get the point. We eat LIVING food and raw meat is simply a DEAD, DECAYING raw animal, not exactly appetizing. Unfortunately she gives raw food a bad name by her disgusting example of eating raw meat.

The fact that she eats raw meat will catch up with her eventually and her health will decline rapidly when it does.

[suzanne]

I loved Carol Alt's book. I also loved her infomercial on the make-up/skin care that is responsible for her great look.... or was it the cooked food in the raw book? I forget which way to be mislead.

In real life I see the people I know who simply juice changing. They are bright eyed, more energetic, doing better work, and are generally happier. I am too. I'm turning off the TV and turning on the juicer. I will never be Carole. Just a great me ! She and others got me started and I appreciate it.

[suzanne]

I loved Carol Alt's book. I also loved her infomercial on the make-up/skin care that is responsible for her great look.... or was it the cooked food in the raw book? I forget which way to be mislead.

In real life I see the people I know who simply juice changing. They are bright eyed, more energetic, doing better work, and are generally happier. I am too. I'm turning off the TV and turning on the juicer. I will never be Carole. Just a great me ! She and others got me started and I appreciate it.

[julie]

I love Carol's book--it was my first raw book, and it got me really excited about the possibilities. It's about freedom, delicious food, and fabulous health and beauty--not deprivation, and I LOVE that. Whenever I've gotten stuck on my raw journey, I find myself revisiting her book. I think she did a great job on O'Reilly factor. I've done raw without meat, and raw with meat---and for me, the meat really helps my energy level. I appreciate everyone who is open to the truth of what's best for them, not just a set of rules or a rigid diet.

[Blue]

I think it is wonderful that the Raw food movement is reaching ALL denomenators!! Lest we forget intolerance was the basis for racism. We all have the right to decide what is best for us as individuals. Has Raw Food become a movement only for the elitist?