Presidential Munchies

From Bill Clinton and his beloved Big Macs to Ronald Reagan and his Jelly Beans, former Presidents of the United States of America had their favorite eats. In light of Tuesday’s big vote, we decided to take a look back at the past few presidents and what they liked to eat while they were in office.

John F. Kennedy (1961-63)

President Jack reportedly enjoyed a hearty breakfast, especially orange juice, poached eggs on toast, crisp bacon, marmalade, milk and coffee. He also was fond of New England clam chowda and blondes.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-69)

LBJ liked ice cream, pancakes, seafood, spinach souffl», and sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows. He also liked canned peas and the soft drink Fresca so much that he supposedly had a Fresca fountain installed in the White House.

Richard M. Nixon (1969-74)

Tricky Dick was known to enjoy a good plate of brownies (we assume not the human kind). He also liked poached eggs and corned beef. Rumor had it, his wife Pat made a mean meatloaf, too.

Gerald Ford (1974-77)

No, it wasn’t gravel or dirt pies. Former President Ford’s favorite dish reportedly was cottage cheese smothered in ketchup and black pepper. He also liked fresh fruit. Go figure.

Jimmy Carter (1977-81)

Big smiling Jim was said to have liked sirloin steak, medium rare, when he was in office. He also loved corn bread. You would assume, since he found great wealth and success as a peanut farmer that he enjoyed a PB&J every once and a while, too.

Ronald Reagan (1981-89)

The popular actor was known wide and far for his affection for Jelly Beans, which he apparently began eating in the 1960s when he gave up smoking. He kept a jar full of Jelly Beans in the Oval Office and often passed them out during meetings. A portrait of Reagan made of 10,000 Jelly Beans hangs in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

George H.W. Bush (1989-93)

Well, we know he wasn’t a huge fan of Japanese food, especially after he puked on the Prime Minister of Japan during a formal dinner in 1992. We found out that he takes much better to a good burrito and a couple of tacos. Also favors pork rinds. (What Republican doesn’t?)

Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

Slick Willy was an obvious food lover while in the White House, more so in the first term. He’s probably most known, food-wise, for his ability to inhale 18 Big Macs at once – but no weed! He also got busy with sliced pork barbecue, baked beans and sweet potatoes, tacos, cream pies, cinnamon rolls, gyros, pies, cakes, cupcakes … .

George W. Bush (2001-Present)

Bush apparently likes corn on the cob and Mexican food, but is better known for eating pretzels – or at least trying to eat a pretzel. In 2002, he appeared in front of a press conference with a visible broken blood vessel welt on his cheek. He explained that he had choked on a pretzel while watching television the day before.

Barack Obama or John McCain (?)

We’re not sure here, but we’re guessing Obama favors rice cakes and a good low-fat salad. McCain’s favorite foods could be many, as long as they’ve been pureed.