The Cookie Monster, formerly known as Sid before he became a cookie binge-eater, is getting a lesson in nutrition.

While I am glad the blue blob has finally decided to choose a healthy diet, I am sad that I will no longer see him inhale a cookie as if his life depended on it.

No longer can we hear him sing "C is for Cookie" as he did when we were kids, prancing around our living room floor in ugly corduroy pants and singing along.

Unfortunately, because Cookie could not understand that life isn't all about Oreos, the popular song has been replaced. "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food," he now sings.

I know, that is no fun to sing along to. But it may be helpful to our nation's youth.

With the alarming increase of childhood obesity in recent years, it makes perfect sense to make healthy living the new word on Sesame Street.

Times have changed since we were young. Children have begun eating fast food more frequently, exchanging baseball bats for computer mouses and in some cases staying indoors because life in the neighborhood isn't as safe as it used to be.

Many of us may be having a hard time accepting Cookie's major lifestyle change. If we were to ask Oscar the Grouch to stop being a jerk, he would lose audience interest and have no place on Sesame Street.

As a side note, I think we should ask The Count to stop counting every damn thing he sees. I mean, really, who does that? If I ever heard some obnoxious clown counting the steps it takes to walk from the front of the Loop to the back, I would contemplate punching him. Seriously, I hate The Count.

But this isn't about The Count, because he isn't fat. The Cookie Monster, on the other hand, is.

To help fix the problem, PBS is launching a new addition to their 36th season of programming. Each episode will now include healthy tips on nutrition, exercise and overall wellness.

Also, a few new characters will be introduced to the show. Get excited for talking eggplants and carrots in the "American Fruit Stand."

In one episode, Alicia Keys will pay a visit to the fruit stand. She and other celebrities are slated to make guest appearances on the show to gain viewer interest.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Elmo seem pretty tight these days. Elmo is hoping to improve youngsters' physical activity, so he's trying to get in shape. He and Frist have recently been spotted working out together -- in one show, Frist teaches Elmo to exercise by jumping up and down.

Elmo has also been seen feeding Sen. Hillary Clinton. In one episode, Elmo and the senator experiment with textures and tastes of various foods.

So while Elmo is improving his diet and physical activity, Cookie is trying to understand moderation. PBS is emphasizing moderation rather than weight loss or dieting to children, as these words may trigger a child to have mixed feelings on food.

Children today need to gain back the mentality we had as kids: Play outside until the sun goes down, eat all your veggies before you leave the table and don't fill up on junk food and spoil your appetite for dinner.

I will be sad to see things change for The Cookie Monster, but I think it is for the good of children.