Super Size Me Book: Don't Eat This Book

I always thought this demonising of fast food for obesity was oversimplified - the year I lost the most weight was also the year I ate McDonalds on the most regular basis. And that was a medium quarter pounder meal a couple of times a week, long before McDonalds started introducing less calorie dense food. My reasoning behind it was that I walked 40 minutes to the nearest macca's, and 40 minutes back.

The reason we are having so much trouble controlling our weight is that we are in an environment we were not wired for - one in which food is always abundant and cheap instead of scarce and dear. Restaurants can get rich by enticing us with what we are naturally drawn to, but that doesn't make it right. Certainly, we are responsible for our own choices, but I think restaurants have a solemn obligation to offer at least a few healthy alternatives that are reasonably appealing.

I don't think you need to put a moral dimension on it to support some sort of controls and disclosure requirements on fast food outlets. The people running McDonald's are not evil, and yeah, consumers shouldn't eat all that crap, and I guess they should be more "responsible."

But nevertheless, taking a completely amoral, cold, expedient, macro-level look at it, would the obesity epidemic be partially, incrementally reversed if fast food outlets had to, say, (1) prominently disclose calories, (2) offer information on typical daily caloirie needs, (3) offer sane portions in addition to huge portions, and maybe a few other things?

Yeah, I think it just might make things a little better. Does it mesh well with one's abstract political theory of the day, libertarianism or conservatism or whatever? Probably not. Who cares? That why they call it "expedience." You do it because "it works."

Give us small Chipotle burritos and 1- and 2-taco options! Years of consumer bitching hasn't worked, so let the legislators and courts have at it.

I HATE MCDONALDS! IT RUINS YOUR LIFE IF YOU EAT TO MUCH OF IT IT COULD CAUSE DIABETES WHICH TAKE UP 17 TO 27 YEARS OF YOU LIFE HOW CAN YOU LIKE THIS FOOD. SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE GO MANY PEOPLE GO TO IT THERE KIDS BUT THE HAPPY MEALS WHICH GIVES THEM TOYS SO THEY DISTRIBUTE MORE TOYS THEN TOYS-R-US.dO YOU KNOW WHATS IN MCDONADLS WELL LOOK IT UP. WELL HERES A START 500 CALORIES IN A BIG MAC!!!!!!!!!!! NOW DON'T EAT IT

THANKYOU CAL 434394356

Mcdanalds makes the best ;cheese burgers but they are really really bad for you. they suck!!!!!!!!!!!

its not about losing weight re macD its the crap that you are putting in get it?

I personally hate Mcdonalds.

and i don't hate them because they make the food that people eat and get fat from eating, i don't like them because i just don't like fast food. Besides it's ridiculous to blame them.

yes I understand they make really fattening foods that within time will clog your arteries, and eventually lead you to getting sick, and having to lose weight, or become healthier.

But Mcdonalds is not responsible for the fact that people choose what they eat, they don't force the food down our throats, they make it, advertise it and sell it to who wants it.

the final choice is always up to us, so no matter what anyone says you can't convince me that it's their fault we eat their food.

I am probably one of the few in the world who hasn't seen the documentary yet (2007!!! I know...), but I love the debate this film has created!

I have always believed in free choice and individual rights. And I have always believed in the right to free interprise. That is what makes this country so great! I am excited about the controversy this film has created, and now I plan to sit and watch it for the first time this afternoon. Perhaps my mind will change, but I don't think it will. I am fascinated by this man's idea, to eat ONLY mc d's food and see what happens. The whole premise is very patriotic and I love that these themes are explored in the film.

I have always believed too much of a good thing is a bad thing. ANHYTHING in excess has the potential to harm.
It is up to the individual to know what that excess is for them and make responsible choices. However, I do also believe that the media machine GREATLY influences our choices and the amount of money corporations have to spend on advertising their restaurants is outrageous!

So, ultimately, who is to blame?
That is the question I will be asking as I watch.

Thanks! Dawn

Dawn!
Do you think if there were NO traffic rules or lights, etc, everyone would just mske responsible choices when they drove?? Sometimes we need a little help:-)

I think that it's ridiculous that there quote is we love to see u smile... it just shows how fat this country is because we smile for big macs... and quarter pounders..and double quarter pounders...

i am doing a project on McDonalds, i agree with Cerulean, noone is making u eat thier food! If u don't like it... don't eat it!!!

of couse people my age (14) eat a lot of fast food, but really i think it is a good thing to eat it because u are not some selfadsorbed teenage girl who counts the calorise they eat in a day.

When you are older... it's different!