I now understand why America is Obese

[Ice]

So I usually have chicken/brocolii, or eggs for dinner, sometimes throwing in a lean piece of steak. I asked my roommate where he wanted to go tonight because I was sick of my usual routine, and he said McDonalds. I thought why not.

So I go in and order a quarter pounder with cheese and a med fry with a diet coke. I finish my meal and look at the nutritional facts on the label. I was appauled. One quarter pounder has 510 cal, 40 carbs, and 12 grams of Sat Fat and my fry had 380 calories with 40 carbs! My stomach now doesn't feel quite right and I might throw up. I really don't understand how anybody could eat this on a daily basis, yet plenty of people I know eat at Micky D's quite a lot. All I had was a burger and fries and I want to vomit right now.

My roommate couldn't understand my disgust and acted as if had just consumed a normal meal. He had a big mac and fries. 1000+ calories is a normal meal?!

So I guess the point of this thread is, is anyone else disgusted by fast food chains?

[Hooahguy]

now i no longer wonder what mcdonalds tastes like.

[Ice]

now i no longer wonder what mcdonalds tastes like.

Taste is good... at first... I guess everything in moderation... say once a month

[Hooahguy]

Taste is good... at first... I guess everything in moderation... say once a month

well for me, its.... never. AFAIK, there isnt a single kosher mcdonalds in the world, even in Israel. at least thats under rabbinic supervision. there are a couple that say they are kosher but refuse to let rabbis come in and check to see if they really are kosher, which isnt suspicious at all.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Yeah a guy I used to know would say he felt like he got knifed in the gut whenever we went to KFC, which is where I got a lot of my food from up until a couple of years ago. Some people don't take well to it, although I guess if you're used to better food, it would take a while to adjust.

Haven't tasted fast food for two years now though, don't plan to again.

[Beskar]

i can only stand the filleted food at KFC and I usually go for the twister. mcdonalds doesn't agree with me, especially the egg they use in the breakfast muffins (gives you horrible gas for the entire day), I used to eat it when I was little and used to be able to handle it until I hit puberty. But now since I cook for my properly and healthily, you can really feel the difference. Burger King has always been second class to both of them, especially in taste department which is why I never eat or even suggest to eat there.

There was one picture I used to love though, on the internet. Unfortunately, with the American culture sweeping over Europe, especially in places like the UK, there isn't a big difference anymore, especially over the last 10 years, there been major changes. (possibly due to Internet)

[pevergreen]

Its all bad, but some of its good...tasting. While eating it at least...

[The New Che Guevara]

They once put as their slogans on some random information sheet.
Made of 100% meat

After this, I also have my reasons in that it's a TNC which is slowly and undoubtedly poisoning the world at the expense of labour. Hell, fat employees cant work as efficiently as less overweight employees. Not saying they cant do it, but it's not as efficient. Then we have all these warnings over the health of our nation. I'd like to point to one of the main targets. If anyone really cant figure out why cancer and coronary diseases are on the rise within developed countries then they need to see the process by which fast food is made. Yet I think they still wouldn't see the reason... but instead think... mmm... food! If you were to limit the power of the fast food industry, we might be able to reduce the expenditure on health. Cuba only spends around $260 yearly, second to Canada, but that's another case on its own. I would like to challenge any person to find a MacDonalds in Cuba.

And yes, most of this is true with the reference to facts, as Health was one thing I had to study for Geography... I'm hoping to do global conflicts next year, might be interesting, despite the relatively weak correlation to actual geography.

[Reverend Joe]

@Ice: the only time fast food doesn't make me physically sick is when I'm already drunk and I can't feel much anyway. The fat content (vegetable or otherwise) is not only unhealthy, but it actually kills what taste the food might have had.

@Beskar: yeah...

[Xipe Totec]

Urgh! It's all garbage with dozens of poisonous chemicals added to make it seem nice. It should be illegal to sell food full of poison but too many fat cats are making loadsamoney and brainwashing everyone that it's good for you. Plus people get addicted to eating lots of salt and sugar until they can't do without it. The human body is very strong and resilient at dealing with toxins, but in the modern urban world it is subjected to a barrage of poisons in the air we breathe and the food we eat. Over decades the day in day out abuse gradually destroys your brain, blood circulation and cellular DNA, leading to a lower quality of life and a shorter one. In the long run it is better to eat food that is good for you than what seems tasty. Chips, cake, ketchup, chocolate, doughnuts you can well do without. And it isn't cool to eat fast food: they sold you a big lie there. It's just so easy.

[Samurai Waki]

When I here someone say "lets go eat at McDonald's" I frown the biggest possible frown I can manage. For Christ's sake, even their Salads have a massive amount of Calories.

[Husar]

Hardly ever go there and never had a burger.
Must admit though that calories never tells me a lot.

[Reverend Joe]

Chips, cake, ketchup, chocolate, doughnuts you can well do without.

Uh... I think you're overreacting buddy... the problem is processing. Real chocolate, cake, doungnuts, etc. are fine for you, excess aside; the only problem is when you eat too much of them. But for god's sake, they won't give you cancer, or all the other crap that McNasty will. Plus, since when is ketchup unhealthy?!

Chips, though, I do agree with. Home fries or nothin.' Chips are almost universally nasty.

[Monk]

So I usually have chicken/brocolii, or eggs for dinner, sometimes throwing in a lean piece of steak. I asked my roommate where he wanted to go tonight because I was sick of my usual routine, and he said McDonalds. I thought why not.

So I go in and order a quarter pounder with cheese and a med fry with a diet coke. I finish my meal and look at the nutritional facts on the label. I was appauled. One quarter pounder has 510 cal, 40 carbs, and 12 grams of Sat Fat and my fry had 380 calories with 40 carbs! My stomach now doesn't feel quite right and I might throw up. I really don't understand how anybody could eat this on a daily basis, yet plenty of people I know eat at Micky D's quite a lot. All I had was a burger and fries and I want to vomit right now.

Simple, you build up a tolerance.

Fast food is horrible for you, that's no secret. Eating one meal there will basically load you up on enough carbs, sugars and calories for the rest of the day, but I would be lying if I said i didn't enjoy certain chains. Enjoyed in small portions or sparingly, it's harmless enough. Too much though and the consequences are obvious.

[Whacker]

Bah, I'm surprised you haven't figured that out much sooner Ice. My condolences on having to choke that stuff down.

It's a mindset thing IMO. Over time, I've slowly worked myself into a mindset of eating healthier. Certain foods I just don't like anymore. I can't stand McDonalds, I've eaten there maybe 3-4 times for lunch or dinner in the past 5 years. When I do eat out, I try to do Subway or Chick-fil-a or something along those lines. My diet isn't perfect and I "cheat" often, but I can get away with it.

The other lurking beast which I think is a bigger problem is active lifestyles. Most of my weight loss started back in late 07 when I started martial arts. It picked up significantly yet again about half a year ago when I got really serious about eating better. Time and time again exercise and eating decent are the two biggest and best things people can do to help themselves by far. If the rest of America got on board with this we'd be far better off. Honestly, as much as I hate to say it, I think the whole narcissistic thing kids have going on these days is a bit of a good thing, because it does promote people being fit and healthy and not "fat and ugly", using their words.

[SwordsMaster]

Just had a medium'rare 480g rump steak with sherry and blue cheese sauce, South African merlot, and mango salad.

Nothing to contribute to the fast food debate. I eat it occasionally, but despise it universally. Basically I don´t trust any food that takes less than 20 min to prepare except fried eggs.

[KukriKhan]

Way back in the Stone Age (1987-88), stationed in Goeppingen Germany, they had a McDonald's in the middle of town, which surprised me. I checked it out: the menu was similar to what I'd seen in the States, with a couple of local additions: brat's and beer. Woo-hoo! And ash-trays. And they brought your food to your table. And you got a receipt. And the burgers were neatly napkin-wrapped, with butcher-paper over that. And the place was immaculate - I mean surgery theater clean. And they took either DM or $$.

Finest fast-food experience I ever had.

Also: when I lived in Pearl City Hawaii, the McD's on Komo Mai Dr, had stopwatches at the order counter: more than 120 seconds? FREE! And rice available as a fries/hashbrown substitute, and ramen on the menu. And pancit. And no "No shirt, No shoes = No Service" rules. No beer though. :(

Zoom ahead 20+ years, yeah, looks like corporate has standardized their ops now, only "slider" burgers, under-cooked, over-grease-saturated fries... I go there instead of spending $30 on ex-lax.

[Louis VI the Fat]

I am addicted to Big Macs. Yummie.


On the upside, I hate cars and don't have a driver's license. I cycle my way around, so I never put on any weight.

[LittleGrizzly]

Love fast food... hate wasting money eating out... so it works out. I think most McDonalds and KFC meals are really tasty.. would eat one even if i wasn't hungry..

I am addicted to Big Macs.

This man knows his food!

[a completely inoffensive name]

To those that absolutely restrain themselves from any and all fast food I have just one statement:
I would rather enjoy my life for 60 years then live in unnecessary self denial for a hundred.

[rajpoot]

Add one to those who said they love McDonalds, I think those burgers are simply awesome.
And anyway, while I certainly don't say one should eat it everyday, (because, that will make one sick eventually) still, what's wrong? 1000 calories in a meal? If I'm not wrong, an average working adult needs some 2400 calories per day. If you're doing a more or less sedentary job, then it goes down 2000 calories.......so one meal at a McDonalds won't kill you you know....

Edit :
Awesome philosophy. I totally agree.

To those that absolutely restrain themselves from any and all fast food I have just one statement:
I would rather enjoy my life for 60 years then live in unnecessary self denial for a hundred.

[seireikhaan]

Indeed, fast food = bad. I haven't had anything from the fast burger joints in about 6 months. Probably twice in the last year. I just can't take all the salt and fat in the burgers. Simply don't taste like a real burger.

EDIT: reminds me of a story a guy at work told me. He made a bet with someone that he could eat 5 macdonald's regular cheeseburgers stacked together without puking. He lost.

[Samurai Waki]

meh. the biggest reason why I've refrained from Fast Food is because I have a predisposition for having a bum ticker, which sounds odd, as though it would make any difference at all. But, anything in the nutrition area that may prolong my life is a good thing. If I manage to hit 80 years old, then I won't feel too bad about eating fast food.

[Cyclops]

Love burgers, make 'em myself. Lean meat, herbs and fresh bread are the key.

Had a conversion experience when I was 19 and drunk. We pooled our dough, rocked into McDonalds and bought our orders (2 of this, one of that etc) and took the change in cheeseburgers. It was the end of the night and the kind young lady just gave us the entire remaining stock (something over 10). I sat down and chewed my drunken way through a mass of the things, possibly 10 or more by myself.

Very very ill I was, and I've had McDonalds about once in my life since then, a vegetarian bean burger of some sort that was pretty poor. I was in the UK in tranist by bus and was starving and it was the height of the CJD scare so a regular burger of any sort was out, and I was trapped in abus terminal waiting for a departure (I didn't know exactly when).

I think fast food is a part of the problem and lack of exercise is more of a worry.

I made myself very fat over the last 6 years (up to 140kg from 110) by taking a desk job and not lowering my intake or increasing exercise. Then I bought a house a solid 20 minutes from public transport and dropped 10 kg (then I had my gall-bladder cut out and dropped another 30, but thats another story).

Easy to stack on fat even with a healthy diet, I have to combine exercise as well and i reckon thats the biggest problem: cars and the internet.

[Megas Methuselah]

I eat fast foods a few times a week. Good genetics keep me attractively slim.

Particular favourites of mine include the Wrapster from KFC, the McFlurry and fries from Mack D's, the burgers from A&W and Burger Baron, and the roast beefs from Arby's.

[tibilicus]

To those that absolutely restrain themselves from any and all fast food I have just one statement:
I would rather enjoy my life for 60 years then live in unnecessary self denial for a hundred.

Not really a question of enjoying life, I can enjoy life just fine with out having saturated fat pumped into my body as a result of incredibly poor food.

I'll confess, sometimes I eat fast food from takeaways, only if I'm out and it's either that or not eat for 6 hours though. Even then I will try and go for the option which is likely to be less fatty and less likely to give me food poisoning.

[Peasant Phill]

I absolutly detest McD's and other similar franchises here in Belgium, there meat just tastes like cardboard to me. On the other hand I do enjoy going to a friture once every 2 weeks or so. Fast food can be very tasty and good for you in balanced amounts.

Interesting tidbit:
Do you know why we as humans like fatty foods more than healthy foods?
It all goes back to the early humans who preferred calory rich foods as they didn't know when they would be able to eat there next meal.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Funny, back when I was a kid eating at McD's, BK, or KFC was more of a treat instead of a staple. I bet if we took away video games, cable tv, pc's, texting & twitter and sent everyone's butt outside to play instead this obesity thing would clear up. Good luck getting that genie back in the bottle eh?

[Beskar]

You imply sending kids out into dirty streets full of fast paced cars, muggers, syringes and paedophiles would be a big improvement over the safety and security of having them at home with friends, playing on the ninento wii or whatever.

Apart from the sad reflection of fear in our times, with a Muslim on every corner with a bomb, or so the anti-terrorist laws and media would like you to believe. There are other factors too.

The internet also originally appeared to the recluse of the society and so did Computer Games. The kids who used to play the games and be on the internet were not the "popular" ones and they were not the academically fit football players and due to soical environment of schools, they were on the bottom of the food chain and being able to go home, pick up a game actually brought fun into their lives.

[Fragony]

To those that absolutely restrain themselves from any and all fast food I have just one statement:
I would rather enjoy my life for 60 years then live in unnecessary self denial for a hundred.

MacDonalds ain't exactly my idea of a good time but to each it's own. I don't mind paying extra for good food, and if I need something fast I go to the Turk.