First Of All, It Isn't The Hamburger
It's the bun. And the fries and the shake and the Coke, and anything else with sugar or flour. That's the stuff that causes the insulin secretion that puts on fat.
I'm 46 and pretty thin, and I eat bacon cheese Angus burgers when I go to McDonald's. No bun. Yum!
Please get the word out to the nannying dumbasses in Santa Clara county who have banned McDonald's Happy Meal toys. Yes, the meals are a little less happy, reports the Telegraph:
Officials in the county of Santa Clara, in the heart of technology centre Silicon Valley south of San Francisco, have voted to enact the ban to fight an "obesity epidemic" sweeping California and the United States."This ordinance prevents restaurants from preying on children's love of toys to peddle high-calorie, high-fat, high-sodium kids meals," said Ken Yeager, the county supervisor behind the ban.
There is a solution to this sort of thing. It's called parents. Mine said no to me about so many things I just didn't bother to keep asking for stuff I knew wouldn't fly.
Blog on why low carb diets work, via @DrEades, is here.
It's all so simple.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at April 29, 2010 12:51 AM
PJ O rourke has it right. These people don't care at all about outcomes (ie. health or obesity).
It's all about "inputs" ie. making the speech that gets plaudits, the laws that make them feel virtuous.
Engineer at April 29, 2010 1:26 AM
The last thing we need in government is people who want to feel good about themselves.
mpetrie98 at April 29, 2010 2:15 AM
Do these pants make my ass look fat?
Juliana at April 29, 2010 3:39 AM
Fucking dumbass nannying govt. Leave the Happy Meal alone man!
Whatever happened to parents just saying "NO"? "Well it makes my job eeeaaassiieerr when I go into the resturant and don't have my five year old crying over a toy."... they claim. Well, newsflash... being a parent isn't easy! If you aren't up to the task, don't have a kid. Period. The parents that support this shit are also the type of parents that likely allow their little brats to run loose in stores and expect that the emoployees will take watch them. And then sue when wittle pwecious gets hurt.
The problem with childhood obesity isn't the businesses, it's the choices the parents make about their kids food (because lets face it, it IS the parents choice; the kids ultimately aren't the ones calling the shots about what they eat). If a parent can't be bothered to plan out healthy meals and nutricious snacks for thier kids, then why is that McDonald's problem? And besides, ONE Happy Meal occasionally is not going to cause obesity. Parents on relying on McDonalds as thier all the time quick fix for supper are the problem.
Plus, don't most kids like to go to McDonlds for the Play area, not the toy?
Sabrina at April 29, 2010 5:40 AM
For whatever it is worth, on a lark, I dropped all breads and refined sugar from my diet for about a month earlier this year after hearing people yammer about it for so long.
I already had a healthy diet by most standards and a low body fat percentage to start with from years of training. But I still lost weight over that month, even though I daily eat a lot of food to meet my higher caloric needs. The muscle mass remained, so it appeared to be mainly fat that went away. It was a bit freaky to see viens popping out of my shoulder muscles again like they did when I was 18 years old.
Frankly, I think I look unhealthy being that lean as a grown man.
Spartee at April 29, 2010 6:10 AM
What??? No toy in the Happy Meal?? What the hell?
Not ONE time that I EVER bought my kids a Happy Meal (and I rarely bought them fast food at all, they had it once a week with their father) did they eat the entire meal - maybe some fries, and half the burger, or 2 or 3 of the McNuggets. They always drank all the milk (because soda was not an option for them at that time, even if it was for the other kids!), and ate maybe one of the cookies. Because the TOY was what they wanted, not the food! LOL! Number 1 still has a full set of the mini-Beanie Babies they were giving away, what, 8, 10 years ago? I have yet to see any young child eat a WHOLE Happy Meal by herself. But then again, it's been ages since I've even been in a McDonald's.
Flynne at April 29, 2010 6:21 AM
This is probably my favorite post so far Amy! My husband was diagnosed with Celiac disease 18 months ago, resulting in drastic lifestyle changes for both of us. You know what happened when we cut out all refined flour? He dropped 30 pounds and I dropped about 10. Magically, his blood work values for triglycerides, HDL, and LDL drastically improved. Now, we have adopted a reasonable "paleo" stance and feel great. And guess what, Big Nanny didn't tell me how to do any of it! In fact, the FDA food pyramid suggests we consume the same composition of carbs/fat/protein as the feed used to fatten pigs and cattle prior to slaughter.
Katrina at April 29, 2010 6:41 AM
No toys in the Happy Meals! Well, that'll show 'em!
I'll say it again. For some folks, removing all traces of joy from other people's lives is the only reason they exist. These people should be prevented from ever having even the slightest vestige of power!
old rpm daddy at April 29, 2010 7:03 AM
You can buy just the toys, actually. They cost $1 each. Personally, I like the fries too, and have no weight problem. I don't eat the bun though. At least fries have some nutrition. And they're just so darned greasy and salty and tasty. Mmmm, think I may have to have some for lunch!
momof4 at April 29, 2010 7:16 AM
Some of us have really skinny kids. A Happy Meal every now and then won't hurt them. This shouldn't be the government's choice. What about ice cream stores? Are they going to clamp down on those for luring kids in?
It's the parents who let their kids live on fast food that are the problem. I've had kids visiting at my house who've never eaten a vegetable. One of my daughter's elementary school friends only ate 3 things: bread, cheese, and macaroni and cheese. Whenever she was here, I tried to introduce her to different, healthier foods, but she wouldn't touch them, which is her parent's fault for not making her at least try these foods earlier.
We always had a "no thank you" helping at our dinner table. If my kids didn't think something looked appealing, we'd still insist they put a small spoonful on their plate. We didn't force them to eat it, but often, out of curiosity, they'd try a bite or two and realize it wasn't so bad. My kids have very healthy diets now and enjoy a variety of foods.
lovelysoul at April 29, 2010 7:26 AM
I'm with Sabrina. This is a PARENTING issue (or a lack of parenting issue) not a restaurant problem.
I'm completely sick of government telling me how to live, especially since they so completely suck at it.
Ann at April 29, 2010 7:26 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/04/29/it_isnt_the_ham.html#comment-1711677">comment from lovelysoullovelysoul is right about the Happy Meal every now and then. In fact, because my mother fed us only this horrible "health food" (Gregg describes my childhood as "The Gruel Years"), I went on a sugar binge for about eight years after I left home. Had I gotten the occasional cookie as a kid, I probably wouldn't have.
Amy Alkon at April 29, 2010 7:44 AM
>>Do these pants make my [fat] ass look fat?
Fixed. Heh, heh.
irlandes at April 29, 2010 8:04 AM
>>Frankly, I think I look unhealthy being that lean as a grown man.
That's because all your life you see fat people, so fat becomes what your brain expects to see.
Work at it.
My 50th high school class reunion is coming up soon. I discovered they were missing a lot of others, so I got involved in the search. Only 2 of 86 still not accounted for.
We are only 68-ish years old. I was shocked how many have died. One died two weeks ago. My old buddy who I haven't seen in years died in November.
Here in my little Third World village, we don't expect people in this age bracket to die. Die as babies, though that is improving with more use of boiled water, which was learned by the illegals in the US who came back and demanded changes. Die of gun fire, sure, or in a flaming ten car wreck, yep. But, to just die of old age effects at this age? Not common. Here, people die of old age at 85, sometimes 90+.
An acquaintance did die of TB two weeks ago, he was 78, and my doctor friend said he probably had it for years in his body, hiding, and he reached the age where it took over. Everyone was shocked at his premature death.
People are getting fatter here, especially the women.
So, hey, guy, stick to it. Nothing looks less masculine than a dead man.
A reminder that the low carb benefits are not losing weight. They are the cleansing of the veins and arteries, and elimination of the inflammation of your entire system with all the insulin floating around in your blood. Not to mention diabetes from immunity to your own insulin. If you lose weight, too, so much the better.
irlandes at April 29, 2010 8:20 AM
Oh, forgot, the 78 year old man who died of TB? His nearest neighbor was born in 1930 (for you who went to modern public schools, heh, heh, that means he's 80) and still works as night watchman at a quarry a couple miles from his house. He mounts his poor old burro and trots over there to keep an eye on the valuable machinery.
irlandes at April 29, 2010 8:26 AM
Watch Meme Roth fight about it:
http://gawker.com/5527212/is-americas-craziest-food-nazi-getting-lazy
Gretchen at April 29, 2010 8:31 AM
My daughter has had the Happy Meal habit for years--she gets the chicken nuggets, strips off the batter and everyone's happy. I've weeded out the toys periodically, but you'll have to pry my Incredibles action figures out of my cold dead hands.
Mickey D's isn't actually hell's outpost on earth. I don't like the food, but no one is forcing me to eat there.
Kate Coe at April 29, 2010 9:32 AM
This pisses me off. Every Saturday and Sunday I take my boy on a long hike with the dog, and a big part of the ritual is the happy meal afterwards. He loves those stupid $1 toys as much as some of his big Christmas presents.
Eric at April 29, 2010 9:37 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/04/29/it_isnt_the_ham.html#comment-1711712">comment from Kate CoeIf there were a childhood do-over, I'd go back and eat a bunch of McDonald's and about 60 pounds of bacon. Bacon is one of the great joys of my life. And I mean that seriously. The Jews really need to amend that no bacon rule. It's anti-life.
And on a serious note, people who have prohibitions against pork -- Jews and Muslims -- have a high incidence of Crohn's, suggesting the parasites in pigs are important to our immune systems.
For anyone who is suffering from Crohn's, check out JV Weinstock's helminth therapy - worms in Gatorade, more plainly put. I believe he saw a remission in 75 percent of Crohn's patients. Of course, there's a risk all medical intervention. I ran this by my epidemiologist friend, and he said in a tiny percentage of the patients (maybe it was 1 percent?, don't remember) the worms DO infest, and chemotherapy is required. Still, if I had Crohn's, I think I'd risk that I'd be one of the fucked ones, in hopes that the therapy would work.
Amy Alkon at April 29, 2010 9:41 AM
When my sister and I were little our parents told us that all Happy Meals came with onions, which we didn't like, so we never asked for them! They didn't want us to get into the mentality of eating fast food just for the sake of getting a toy. By the time I figured it out I was pretty much over McDonald's anyway; I haven't eaten there since I was 10. Point being though that parents have a lot of control over what their kids eat. It's not the 6 year old that's driving to McDonalds and paying money for a cheeseburger, it's the parent. If you're already a shitty parent who let's their kid live on fast food then this law isn't going to change that.
Also on the no-cheeseburger-bun thing: yes, yes we get it, it works well for you Amy, but your average 8 year old isn't going to do that. They want the bun and the fries too, because that's what everyone else has. I don't advocate putting a child on any kind of diet or restrictive eating pattern because it will just lead them to crave, sneak, and binge on forbidden foods and set them up for a lifetime of yo-yo dieting and unhealthy relationships with food and their bodies.
Shannon at April 29, 2010 9:41 AM
I keep wondering why so many kids are fat these days. I'm 44. I ate all kinds of junk as a kid, and so did all the kids I knew. We didn't have soda in the house (I only had it at restaurants, movies, and friends' houses), but we did have cookies and candy (in moderation), ate at McDonald's (though not every day), etc. And my family was and is thin, one and all.
It wasn't just that we were lucky, either -- looking at my grade-school pictures, there was one fat kid, and one kid who was slightly pudgy. The vast majority of kids were a healthy weight. A fat kid was noticeable and was mercilessly mocked by other kids -- I still remember the name of the fat girl in grade school. Today, half the kids I see are way fatter than little Elizabeth (last name withheld -- she took enough crap back then, poor thing).
I do think we ran around a LOT more than kids do today. My TV was at a minimum (there was less on to watch), no computers, no video games except Pong (and you can only play Pong so long). We walked and rode our bikes everywhere instead of being driven. As soon as school was over, we were out the door to play. Homework was usually in the evening, after we played outside for a while.
I know kids eat a lot of junk today, but it can't just be that -- we ate junk when I was a kid too, including sugary cereals and soda. I didn't drink much soda, but most kids I knew did (I remember because I was jealous of them and didn't realize Mom was doing me a favor). My favorite cereal was Count Chocula, for Pete's sake -- Mom didn't restrict that -- and every kid I knew ate stuff like that for breakfast. I can't remember any kid being on a special diet. For that reason, I'm rather inclined to blame it more on the lack of exercise than any other factor. Not saying diet doesn't play into it -- but there's more to it than that.
Gail at April 29, 2010 12:14 PM
When I was ate, all I wanted was the bun! I was super picky, very tiny, very active, and hated meat. My mom made me try things I didn't like though, and now I eat pretty much anything. I'm with Shannon, no restrictive diets (but don't be stupid, stuffing them full of crap is terrible) for kids until they can choose for themselves to remove entire food groups from their diets.
Gretchen, thanks for that link, I keep wondering why MeMe Roth is included in these types of discussions as she has no credentials or credibility on diet, health or nutrition. Though she does have one hell of an eating disorder. I feel so terrible for her kids.
Sam at April 29, 2010 12:56 PM
I found the bacon blog! Another for my list of favorites. http://baconunwrapped.com/
KarenW at April 29, 2010 1:52 PM
Question to Amy:
So in the drive-through you just say you want the burger w/o bun and they don't go apeshit?
Crusader at April 29, 2010 1:58 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/04/29/it_isnt_the_ham.html#comment-1711798">comment from CrusaderNot a problem in the world: "Bacon-cheese Angus burger, no bun, please."
Even get McD bfast that way at the airport. Whatever the thing is called...maybe Egg McMuffin? Just "Egg Mcmuffin, no bread please." Just be sure you get a knife and fork. Sometimes, you have to ask for it.
Amy Alkon at April 29, 2010 2:02 PM
Reminds me of working at McDonald's in high school. I once had a guy order cheeseburger happymeals without the meat- I thought it was so strange.
LL at April 29, 2010 5:46 PM
I was a semi-fatty in school. I carried about an extra 10-20 pounds in elementary school. But by the time I was in junior and senior high I was working. I didn't have time to eat. I was still carrying an extra 5-10, but I was in fairly good shape.
I'm now in my 40's, and am carrying a bunch extra. But I just ordered Taubes book and hope that it will help. I also sent a copy to my sister.
Jim P. at April 29, 2010 8:11 PM
Hi Amy! Although I know you're right about the carb issue, I just can resist. I just took up breadmaking as a new hobby. Dying to find a good recipe for a good German rye. Oh well. Luckily we're pretty well balanced in our eating here. Hope you're doing well!
Nancy Hall MH at April 30, 2010 7:32 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/04/29/it_isnt_the_ham.html#comment-1711901">comment from Nancy Hall MHFunny!
(Although, with what I know about carbs and their effect, that's like taking up cutting off your fingers as a hobby!)
Amy Alkon at April 30, 2010 7:36 AM
Metabolic syndrome is healthier than fascism.
damaged justice at April 30, 2010 9:27 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/04/29/it_isnt_the_ham.html#comment-1711934">comment from damaged justiceRight you are!
Amy Alkon at April 30, 2010 9:34 AM
> My favorite cereal was Count Chocula
That Transylvanian weasel was nothing but a buck-toothed punk. The Captain would have kicked his ass any day of the week.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at April 30, 2010 8:57 PM
I'm certainly not going to knock the Cap'n. My little brother and I ate a lot of Cap'n Crunch, much of it straight out of the box. But see, Cap'n Crunch didn't have little chocolate-y marshmallows and you didn't have chocolate milk after you were done with the cereal. That's all I'm saying.
My brother liked Frankenberry best because it made your poo a weird fluorescent pink.
Gail at May 1, 2010 7:38 AM
It's the bun. And the fries and the shake and the Coke, and anything else with sugar or flour. That's the stuff that causes the insulin secretion that puts on fat.
This actually worked great for us, before technology rescued us from periodic famines, because stored fat meant that you lived. Nowadays, with food a-plenty, it has become a liability.
mpetrie98 at May 1, 2010 2:11 PM
I just took up bread making as a new hobby. Dying to find a good recipe for a good German rye.
There is a big difference from what you get as a commercial bread and what your typical home made bread is made of.
I bet if you sent a sample of your bread in for calorie testing, it would be half the calories of what you get from a commercial product.
Jim P. at May 1, 2010 6:28 PM
Yes, I got a bread machine for Christmas and have been making my own -- whole grain, with lots of seeds and things. It's delicious, nothing fake in it, and not all loaded up with sugar. And you can wake up to the smell of it baking and have a warm slab with your eggs and coffee, even on a work morning. Love it.
Don't have a good German rye recipe, but I do have a good recipe for a rye with raisins and pecans. Zowee, it's good.
Gail at May 1, 2010 8:09 PM
> My brother liked Frankenberry
Each generation, or half-generation (age 51 here) has it's own cross to bear. Our was that you were trying to get the goddam cereal off the (scratched) roof of your mouth halfway to school in the morning.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at May 1, 2010 8:54 PM
When I was little, once a month we'd load the family into the Oldsmobile, take a long Sunday drive, and end up at McDonalds for Happy Meals. And yes, the toy was the best part. Well, it was also fun having soda; my mother never bought it so that was a special treat.
Also, we were NEVER allowed to turn the television on during the day, and our breakfast cereal was bran flakes or some shite like that...but on Saturdays, it was all a-go! Mom would pull out the Trix (or sometimes she'd make pancakes) and we'd watch Saturday morning cartoons. My dad was usually mowing the lawn, but my mother sometimes watched with us.
They're great family memories. And I'm thankful to my parents for them.
Les at May 2, 2010 10:00 AM
". . . trying to get the goddam cereal off the (scratched) roof of your mouth halfway to school in the morning"
Yeah, Cap'n Crunch in particular, as I recall. It seriously did stay crunchy in milk. Like really tasty wood chips. But then again, even the little marshmallows in Count Chocula and Lucky Charms could chip a tooth.
I always found Cheerios a bit a bummer as a kid. They got all soft when you poured milk on them. And you didn't bounce off the walls for hours afterward.
Gail at May 2, 2010 5:11 PM
Approximately 6,697,254,041 men and women inhabit this earth, 3 quarters have read the bible. One guy advertising in only one country, started it, by word of mouth. Bloggers of today have the technology with which to reach all of those people, all this at your fingertips, you can change anything, go for it bad boys!!!!!!
Girl in Lace Tights at June 3, 2010 9:49 PM
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