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Some
tips for downsizing our 'supersized' meals
By Stephanie Johnson
December 28, 2004 | A
recent documentary Super
Size Me by Morgan Spurlock has opened the eyes
of many who frequent fast food restaurants. Spurlock
was watching the news at his parents' home in West Virginia
when a story came on about two teenagers who were suing
McDonald's
for making them obese.
"I was stuffed with Thanksgiving turkey while watching
this story, when it hit me," Spurlock said.
Spurlock had an idea to go on a "McDiet",
a diet that includes nothing but food and drink from
McDonald's restaurants for 30 days. He made three rules
for himself: He had to eat every item on the McDonald's
menu at least once; he could only eat what was available,
no special orders; and if asked whether he wanted the
larger, "super size" meal, he always said
yes.
The movie shows the critical impact on health with a
diet of only fast food. Documenting the impact are not
only the cameras but also his doctors. Spurlock mixed
in various facts and figures about food and dieting
as he talks to health and food experts. Spurlock talks
to various experts about the growing obesity epidemic,
from Surgeons General to gym teachers and cooks to kids.
The film tackles the American school-lunch programs,
declining health, and food addictions.
When asked about the movie "Super Size Me"
many students said they have thought twice about their
eating habits after seeing the documentary.
Chad Johnson, a senior at Weber State University said,
"When I am hungry the first thing I think of is
fries and a hamburger. Then about the grease, and I
know a better option would be an apple or veggies, but
McDonald's or Wendy's seems so much faster."
About two months after the movie came out, McDonald's
announced they would eliminate their "super size"
option. They have now done so, a spokesperson for McDonald's
said the decision was unrelated to the release of the
movie. McDonald's has also added "healthy choices"
to its menu. Will this make a difference?
Derek Hines, a recent graduate of Utah State University
has three children and said, "My kids always want
Happy Meals, but Happy Meals aren't healthy for growing
kids. If the Happy Meals had healthier options I would
almost consider this for my family more often."
The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention predict that
obesity will soon surpass tobacco use as the major health
problem in the United States. Poor diet and physical
inactivity is now the number two cause of death in the
United States after smoking.
"As a nation, we need to respond as vigorously
to this (obesity) epidemic as we do an infectious disease
epidemic. National efforts are needed to encourage physical
activity and better nutrition and to conduct research
to identify effective educational, behavioral, and environmental
approaches to control and prevent obesity," said
Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan, Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
The
American Society for Nutritional Sciences has many
articles on nutrition, foods that benefit health influenced
by such considerations as taste, cost, convenience and
nutritional value of foods. The current obesity epidemic
has been linked to excessive consumption of added sugars
and fat, as well as to sedentary lifestyles. Fat and
sugar provide dietary energy at very low cost. The ASNS
has available the food
pyramid and a list
of nutrients and how they benefit the body.
Preston Freitas, a recent Computer Science graduate
said, "There are good fast food alternatives too,
people still have choices on the kind of food they want
to eat. The key is educating people."
Below are some tips for eating out from the Federal
Drug Administration:
· Ask for nutrition information (for example,
calories, saturated fat, and sodium) before you order
when eating out.
· Choose foods that are steamed, broiled, baked,
roasted, poached, or stir-fried, but not deep-fat fried.
· Share food, such as a main dish or dessert,
with your dining partner.
· Take part of the food home with you and refrigerate
immediately. You may want to ask for a take-home container
when the meal arrives. Spoon half the meal into it,
so you're more likely to eat only what's left on your
plate.
· Request your meal to be served without gravy,
sauces, butter or margarine.
· Ask for salad dressing on the side, and use
only small amounts of full-fat dressings.
Does size matter? In the case of fast food maybe it's
not quantity it is quality. In Spurlock's movie there
is one message that is not sent, and that is the responsibility
for our own fitness. Americans need a balance of sensible
eating plus exercise.
NW
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