HALF of U.S. adults will be obese by 2030.*
Half.
We aren’t talking about a few extra pounds here. Obesity is a serious problem.
That’s a mug… made of bacon… filled with cheese.
My co-worker and I were running through an airport the other day and he commented that he judges people that are clearly at an unhealthy weight who are eating Big Macs and riding on the moving walkways in airports.
His point is that they are adding to healthcare costs and, in turn, costing everyone. It may be controversial, but I can’t say that I disagree.
Relax – you’ll never be more than a 145 mile drive from the nearest B’Mac.
Source: Data Pointed
The other thing that bothers me?
Denny’s new sandwich offering is a 1650 calorie gut-buster: The Mac ‘n Cheese Patty Melt.
The contents? “A hand-pressed beef patty topped with new creamy Mac ‘n Cheese, melted cheddar cheese, and zesty Frisco sauce on grilled potato bread.”
I get it’s their prerogative and people have the right to choose. But really Denny’s… is this necessary?
*As reported in the Washington Post, and according to a report released Thursday on the international obesity crisis in the British medical journal the Lancet.
***
This week of living at the mercy of hotel and airports have driven home the point that it’s not always easy to find healthy options.
Are restaurants being irresponsible serving items like this when half of our population will be at dangerous weights in less than 20 years?
I judge the big mac eaters too. LOL.
Me. Too. It’s like a wasted meal.
honestly, things like that Denny’s sandwich infuriate me. We live in such a toxic food culture in this country, and although no one person or industry is responsible for the obesity crisis, food companies/corporations absolutely contribute to the problem. I equate them to the cigarette companies. They are out to make money and get people hooked on their products. They’re good at it, and it’s literally killing us.
That Denny’s sandwich is just disgusting. I saw pics of it when it first came out and I remember thinking that things like that shouldn’t even be allowed to be served to people!! The frustrating thing for me is that I am obese, but I couldn’t even tell you when I last had a Big Mac because its probably been about 18 years. I never eat things like that, but I have a few metabolic disorders that make me the way that I am. What sucks is that I know people look at me and probably think I eat stuff like this and I don’t at all!!
I was the fat, unhealthy girl. Coasting through life on fast food, prepackaged meals, and soft drinks.
I have fought for healthy, and healthy to me is the energy to get through the day with restful nights and minimal health issues.
I can’t say I judge overweight and unhealthy people, but I really want to sit them down and let them know just how much better they will feel with the right foods and exercise in their lives.
Restaurants certainly have the right to sell whatever they want, but I have to echo your question: “Really? Is that really necessary?!”
However, in my mind, it really does come down to personal responsibility. I’ve never been to a Denny’s, but I do know IHOP has a “lite” menu, and there are not so bad choices at fast food places, including McDonald’s. You don’t have to get a Big Mac, you can get grilled chicken with no sauce. Or, say, you order pizza: get thin crust with veggie toppings and go light on the cheese. It’s just up to people to make the right choice.
Very true. It does continue to amaze me that so many people seemingly don’t know/understand how to make healthier choices. I almost dies of shock watching Jamie Oliver and those weight-loss shows!
I agree that it’s totally irresponsible to serve a sandwich that’s 1650 calories, especially when that’s the total number of calories many people need in ONE day. And to top mac and cheese on a beef patty with melted cheese on potato bread… seriously come on!! Who is coming up with these meals and do they eat them??
Oh lordy, that makes me queasy.
You know me and that I’m all about eating weird food, and indulging every now and then (and that one of the best hamburgers I ever had involved bacon and a doughnut)…but seriously, I wish more people knew how to BALANCE their indulgence. I am a rabbit most of the time when it comes to food…so that then I can actually ENJOY rich foods in their novelty to my tastebuds.
But Denny’s…that’s just excessive.
I’m right there with you! Maybe what offends me the most is that it doesn’t even look good. Ha!
I read that report, sad trend. Disgusting actually. Good on ya for blogging about this, and for leading by example in living healthy.
I’m just glad someone said it. I absolutely agree. Obesity….I can’t say it “runs” in my family, because it’s not a genetic problem that we have….it’s a “my metabolism ran out of time once I hit my 30’s and I got lazy and I don’t eat right” problem. I have to work at it. My family members don’t work at it. And they (and some friends) have referred to me as “skinny bitch.” I don’t think I’ll ever understand.
My biggest pet peeve is when people comment on my weight. I work HARD! But I also have incredible treats… that are MUCH more appetizing than an artificial greasy burger.
OMG!!! I hate it when people give me a hard time for my healthy eating. I get the comment, “but you don’t even need to lose weight. Why eat so healthy???” It just burns me that they don’t correlate the fact that I’m healthy and at a healthy weight BECAUSE I eat healthy food. Sheesh!!!
That’s a catch 22 ’cause restaurants are businesses, and they’re going to sell whatever consumers want to buy– even if it’s a heart attack on a plate. My fav new thing? Calorie counts on menus. I love the sobering, “Oh crap…I better get egg whites instead” feeling instead of eating what “appears” healthy from the menu and then checking later only to feel like my whole week is ruined. I think obesity is reaching epic proportions because of this Capitalist mindset, though. My husband and I always shake our head when we buy produce– WHY is ONE green pepper the price of a double cheese burger? If you’re poor, which would you choose?
Great point about the cost of eating better – it’s a huge problem in the US!
I agree – fresh produce needs to be available and affordable, especially in urban areas where there are multiple fast food choices within walking distance of schools and homes.
I tend to agree with Carly. Yes, the restaurants serve things like this, but it’s really up to the individual person to make an informed decision. For the most part, the nutritional information is out there. The restaurants aren’t making anyone eat this type of meal.
I hate how it’s almost become a joke, or a war of sorts – you know? “I’ll see your 1650-cal gut-buster sandwich and raise you a 3000-cal belly bloater!”
I honestly think if many restaurants/chains/what-have-you brought their portions more in-line with what they should be, America would be much better off. As it is, people are getting at the very least 2 normal-sized portions, which has become normal. You’re farrr more likely to overeat when you see everything on the plate in front of you.
There’s nothing more frustrating than looking down at my bog of airport pretzels and realized it’s actually 2.5 servings. Who only eats PART of the bag?! There ought to be a law. 🙂
I hate to admit it but I sometimes find myself judging too 🙁 …it is hard not to when you see an overweight person eating fast food. I mean some people have a legitimate problem with thyroids and all that, but even so…have some carrot sticks instead.
When it comes to restaurants and what they put out to the public…I don’t agree with the things they advertise and I would never eat them, but at the same time. That is what sells. It is just like a fashion store advertising the newest and greatest shoe, even though they know it will kill your feet they are still gonna sell it to ya. It is up to the individual to make an informed decision, while that doesn’t always happen, I don’t think it is the restaurants fault what a person eats.
I do feel like more places could have more healthy options. A lot of establishments don’t have but maybe one or 2 healthy options and when it comes to people like you and me who PREFER to eat that way, it doesn’t give us a lot of choices. My challenge to the industry would be to provide more healthy options and less unhealthy ones and make those who choose to eat that way be the ones who struggle to find something they want.
Great post!
You’re right – as a public we vote with out dollars. I do get annoyed when there simply isn’t a healthy option available though. Especially in hotels when I’m stranded there!
I read this statistic too and couldn’t believe it! I definitely feel that it is each person’s own responsibility to take care of their health, but restaurant offering these ridiculously fattening options do not help the cause. I guess there is not really much we can do about it, though. Anyone can go to the grocery store and make their own 1650 calorie sandwich if they wanted to.
Gah, restaurants are SO gross when it comes to stuff like that. It’s like they inject the calories somehow!
Absolutely! My rule of thumb is to assume that whatever I eat at a restaurant has twice as many calories as it would if I made it at home!
It’s sad what people “vote” on these days. I love a good splurge now and then (okay, a lot), but I wholeheartedly think people vote with their dollars. No one should keep me from buying it or restaurants from making it – but it’s getting downright pathetic. Maybe more info would help educated consumers make the right choice, but then again, who eats that kind of thing thinking it’s actually good for you, regardless of how accurate the calorie count is… Sigh…
I have to say I agree with your coworker too. It is sad that it is so difficult to find healthy options when you’re on the go. The thing that bothers me most is that usually a healthier option tastes better (real flavors being used- hello!) and always help you FEEL better as well. I wish more people were aware of that and could get over their aversion to healthy choices. Now, I don’t always make the right choice, but you will never see me with a big mac in my hand. The thought of eating one grosses me out haha
I have to be completely honest and say I agree with your friend. I understand that some people have medical problems that make them that way but that is like a tiny percentage. The rest are just killing themselves slowly and like your friend said, pushing up healthcare costs for everyone else. I do think it is up to each individual to make better choices however I think it’s absolutely disgusting what some of these chain restaurants serve. They play on peoples weaknesses and addictions to crappy food, all in the pursuit of more and more money. It’s really sad to me, that the people in charge don’t actually care enough about the rest of the population. If they did then they wouldn’t serve such ‘food’ at all. And I don’t really mean burgers and fries, hell everyone needs a burger at some point in their life! 😉 It’s just these absolutely ridic meals that take it all way too far. Hmphhh… makes me really angry! Could stay up on my soap box all day long! 😀
Ooo this post totally hit a nerve with me! I have a lot of issues with the health care bill that I don’t really want to get into here. I really think though that what SHOULD have happened was Health Insurance reform instead. Preventative medicine is absolutely a real life saver and diet is one of the BIGGEST components! I don’t want to pay extra taxes for people who want to indulge in these kinds of meals daily or even weekly. Oh I could go on and on but I will spare you. I do TRY not to judge people eating those meals though because I really have no idea how often they indulge at all. What if he/she just lost 20 lbs and are just giving themselves a treat? I certainly indulge in some wine or ice cream every now and then when I feel I’ve earned it. (Sometimes both at the same time 😀 )
Thanks for the post! I’ve enjoyed the comments!
I think what these restaurants are serving is fine. The stereotypical image is of a bunch of fat people slobbering over a trough full of greasy beef and starchy foods. But what about the construction worker or landscaper, etc who doesn’t mind the calories?
In a free society it is up to us to make our own choices, and we have to arm ourselves with information to make better choices. I have personally decided that I will not be corralled into the feed barn to eat the slop. I am educating myself on nutrition, and subsequently I am educating my family and friends around me through compassion and service (hosting a healthy dinner), not by raging against American businesses.
I agree with you, but I also think that restaurant food can be misleading. Making that same sandwich at home may not have the same amount of calories. I am a proponent of making nutritional information available at restaurants, so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, and so that those of us who want to limit our calorie intake know how much we should have in one sitting.
I think that in the end it’s about educating the public about healthy choices. A person could look at that sandwich and think, “Hey, it’s got protein and bread and even a vegetable (potatoes). Plus it’s cheap and fast.” If people know about a healthy diet, and healthy choices are made accessible to people of all economic groups, then I don’t think there would be a problem. I know many people who don’t even know what their recommended caloric intake is, so that 1650 number might not even phase them.
It is our responsibility to know what we are putting into our bodies, and it’s the food service industry’s responsibility to tell us what is in the foods they serve us.
oohhh girl! i am sooo with you on this one.
this issue has been especially firing me up lately bc of the latest obesity reports that came out last month. it’s so frustrating, because i try and set a good balanced example for people (in hopes they see it IS possible to live life to the fullest and be healthy!) but sometimes i just want to shake people and say COME ON! THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
so yeah…i’m crazy, but definitely with you on this one. much love girl!!
I would argue that the outbreak is already upon us… especially when you look at obesity rates by region, race, and class. It’s actually terrifying.
I try not to, but I totally judge people eating any type of fast food (Chipolte doesn’t count), especially if they’re grossly overweight. It’s a huge problem, and I don’t think the responsibility should fall solely on the person eating it anymore (although they need to accept their fair share).
I see no need to market soda, fast food, crap food, and processed food like it’s the second coming of Christ. I also see no reason to pump that same shit into our youth at schools across our country. I’ve got a post coming up about this issue, and it’s gonna be a doozy because this stuff gets me hot (and not in a good Valentine’s Day way).
I’d like to think one day we will regulate the marketing of this crap the same we did cigarettes however many years ago. What can I say, despite all my cussing and tirades, I’m an idealist at heart.
I would LOVE to see marketing of unhealthy food regulated. Who knows if we will see it happen, but I think the new requirements on chains posting nutrition info is a good start. I can’t wait to read your post! It gets me hot and bothered too. 😉