Reading my SparkPeople Mailer this morning, I came across these statistics:
From 1977 to 1997, hamburgers expanded by 23%; a plate of Mexican food got 27% bigger; soft drinks increased by 52%; snacks (potato chips, pretzels, crackers) grew 60%. We’re now entering the second generation of overeaters who can’t believe that a fast food soft drink used to come in 10 ounce cups. There’s actually a frozen entree that proudly sells itself as “1 Pound of Food,” as if its total mass was a benefit.
I remember something similar to that being in the movie Super Size Me…it’s just weird to see it in print. It’s kind of gross.
I can still remember when you didn\’t get free refills on soft drinks. also thanks for the tip on Ghostbusters – i now own both 1 and 2. we need to plan a movie night to watch them both back to back. chels and scott are in and i\’m trying to get jen and Elias – right now Elias is resisting because they don\’t meet his standards.
After working for a processed-food manufacturing company for six months, I can definitely attest to the fact that what you are eating out of the wrapper IS NOT FOOD.
When I was in high school, I worked for a fast-food Mexican place in OKC called Taco Bueno. Delicious food. But we made everything fresh! The refried beans were made every morning from REAL pinto beans we mashed in the store, we made fresh salsa and guac too. We even shaped and fried the taco and salad bowl shells. The beans were probably the only really unhealthy item, as the recipe called for adding 9 pounds of vegetable lard to 45 pounds of beans, but it wasn’t as heinous as the slop Taco Bell serves up.
This is what is hard for me. I know I’m eating more than a portion’s worth, but yet it tastes so good! Then you try to order the kid’s size meals and sometimes they don’t let you because you are over 12. What’s up with that? They should be glad they are getting your business to begin with.
I want to watch Ghostbusters! I have never seen it.
Seriously Jim, if you can’t leave nicer comments about food that don’t make me want to puke, then we will have words next time I see you! I have already given up meat – don’t take my beans!
I wonder what it was in the minds of the food selling companies and in the minds of the consumer that said we need to make everything bigger?
how in the world have you never seen ghostbusters? that’s madness!
I agree with Sarah, bascily though I can\’t blame the companies for giving us what we want. I think all companies do have to provide basic information on their food – like fat grams and such. I just don\’t want to know. I used to eat at Taco Bell all the time until i saw the fact sheet they put out. and i\’d have to say that Crafty is just doing a public service – beans should be good for you – if only they didn\’t put in all the lard.
the good news is that Wendy\’s is coming out with fat free french fries soon!
finally – we do need to do the Ghostbuster soon. let\’s talk about it this sunday.