Have you had your obesity-inducing break today?
If you’re like millions of other Americans, you find yourself flocking to fast-food chain restaurants far too often – at least once a week, or more likely, once a day.
When you get to the register, you rattle off that you would like some meat, potatoes, carbonated corn syrup and, of course, a cup of frothy strawberry flavored sugar milk.
And, then when the “chipper” cashier asks if you would like to “Super Size” your already fat-laden meal, what is your reply? “Why yes, that would be swell.”
But, not anymore. Sorry folks, the days of “bigger is better” in fast food are coming to an end. I know, cry your little eyes out, but don’t worry, the food may get smaller but you’re still allowed to order more than you need. In fact, that’s probably half the reason fast-food giant McDonald’s decided to oust the “Super Size” option from their menus.
Yes, I’m sure Mickey D’s cares about the public’s health. I mean, why else would they tell you you’re no longer allowed to order one Super-Sized package of fries when instead you can just order two large packages? Because it’s so much healthier, you know.
Remember that Super-Sized soda you used to order? Well, instead of packing on a whopping 410 calories, it’ll now only cost you 310 of your daily calories to drink a large.
Granted, if you drink diet soda, you’re saving yourself a lot of calories (diet has 0 calories) but you also might as well drink battery acid if taste is what you’re striving for.
And, what would your meal be without a huge milk shake? One thousand one hundred and fifty calories less, that’s what.
A Super-Sized shake, regardless of flavor, has almost a full day’s calories for an average-sized female. Ouch! And we’re wondering why we can’t fit into our “skinny” pants.
The saddest, and perhaps most frightening thing about all this silliness, is what isn’t coming off the menu.
McDonald’s may feel it is in the country’s best interest to do away with Super Sizing, but they apparently don’t realize that people can get fat at their restaurants without needing to upsize.
A Double Quarter-Pounder with cheese has 770 calories and 100 percent daily value of saturated fat (based on a 2,000-calorie diet.) That’s just disgusting.
A Spanish omelet bagel has 710 calories and hotcakes with sausage have 780, one heck of a fattening breakfast no matter which way you go. It’s another 250 calories if you order a large orange juice to wash it down.
To my knowledge, McDonald’s has no intention of getting rid of their famous milkshakes, sundaes or any other high calorie foods that don’t require an upgrade to make your waistline tight.
No siree, they want to let you know how much they care about your health by doing away with the least of their problems.
America’s not getting fat because there’s a bigger portion available, they’re getting fat because they order the bigger portion and eat it all.
McDonald’s can get rid of Super Sizing, and the other fast food chains will follow, I’m sure, but until they start monitoring who buys how much and when, nothing will change.
Just because you can’t buy something in a portion ten times bigger than necessary doesn’t mean you won’t buy two of them to make up for it.
Now, I’m not advocating a Big Brother system in restaurants, I’m saying if you’re going to “do something for America’s health,” actually DO something. Make your food better, and offer healthier options. Yes, McDonald’s has salads but that’s about it. You can’t even be a vegetarian and eat there unless all you want is lettuce – even most of the salads have chicken. The fries are pre-cooked in beef fat and there are no real veggie options elsewhere on the menu. God help you if you’re vegan and want a junk food fix.
I’m not saying McDonalds is bad, but I am saying that their so-called attempt at helping people have “balanced lifestyles” is more of a merchandising technique than a concern for the public’s well-being.
How can a company go wrong when their core customer base will have to buy more to eat the same amount?
So, in my humble opinion, we should all just stop the madness. Put down the cheeseburger. Throw away the French fries. For the love of all things holy, don’t suck that milkshake. Go home. Eat a pickle and some carrots, they’re healthy and tasty, believe it or not.
But if you absolutely must have something greasy from a fast food restaurant, order the smallest thing on the menu and don’t get every extra imaginable. Just because the apple pie only costs a dollar does not mean it’s a must have.
Just say no to all the gloriously caloric goodies at fast food joints. Just say no people.
Your jeans will thank you.

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