That quote is from the show Seinfeld and really does sum up how restaurants want to distance themselves as much as possible from the “fast food” stigma.  If you want to know why restaurateurs don’t want fast food associated with their product, you need only watch Super Size Me.  We rented it last night and I think it’s safe to say I’m turned off of fast food.

Obesity is the number two preventable killer in the US (second to tobacco).  Americans are becoming obese at younger and younger ages.  Obesity is robbing American children of their futures and it’s time we parents take notice before it’s too late.  The manufacturers of nutritionally inept food blame the parents and the parents blame the manufacturers.  The truth is, both are to blame.  Parents need to take responsibility for teaching their kids proper nutrition and then enforcing it by their own actions as well as what they provide for their kids to eat.  Of course the fast food chains and junk food moguls make that job hard by packaging and advertising their products with kids in mind.  They want your kids to be attracted to their products because the likelihood is that you’ll cave and buy it for them.  Afterall, a strawberry shake will taste better than a plate of broccoli any day.

Recently, the fast food industry has begun this “smoke and mirrors” act trying to make their food “healthier” or at the very least adding “healthier” choices to the menus.  But is most of what they claim to be “healthy” actually good for you?  Check out the ingredient list for their “Grilled Chicken Filet” (used to top their grilled chicken salads).  Yes, I said ingredient list, you would think a list for a piece of chicken would be rather short but check this out.

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet (for salads)
Boneless, skinless chicken breast filets with rib meat containing: up to 12% of a solution of water, seasoning [salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, spices, whey, flavor (maltodextrin, natural flavors (vegetable source), dextrose, monosodium glutamate), partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils, Romano cheese (Romano cheese {milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, calcium chloride}, nonfat dry milk, disodium phosphate), parmesan cheese powder (enzyme modified parmesan cheese {milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, calcium chloride}, nonfat dry milk, disodium phosphate), methylcellulose, xanthan gum, cheese flavor (dehydrated cheddar cheese {cultured pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes}, maltodextrin, autolyzed yeast extract), extractives of paprika (color), potassium sorbate (preservative), citric acid, and less than 2% silicon dioxide added to prevent caking], vegetable oil [partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn oil, citric acid (preservative)], sodium phosphates. May contain wheat from contact with Crispy Chicken Breast Filet.

Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken (Croutons & Ranch Dressing also)
Calories: 450  Fat: 25  SatFat: 6.5  Chol: 105  Sod: 1585  Carbs: 27  Fiber: 3  Protein: 33
* Honey Mustard dressing makes these numbers even higher

Compare to a Big Mac
Calories: 560  Fat: 30  SatFat: 10  Chol: 80  Sod: 1010  Carbs: 47  Fiber: 3  Protein: 25

Both of these totals are not counting any “side” items like Fruit or Fries or drinks even.  Personally, I was expecting a bigger difference in the numbers.  Obviously one is a better choice, a lesser of two evils I suppose.  Yet, that leads me back to all the stuff they put in that chicken breast, do you suppose all of those additives are good for us? 

HappyMeal: Cheeseburger, Small Fries & Child-Size Sprite
Calories: 650  Fat: 23  SatFat: 8  Chol: 40  Sod: 910  Carbs: 93  Fiber: 4  Protein: 17

HappyMeal: 4pc Chicken McNuggets, Small Fries & Child-Size Sprite
Calories: 410  Fat: 21  SatFat: 4  Chol: 25  Sod: 620  Carbs: 68  Fiber: 3  Protein: 12

Oh but they now have Apple and juice/milk options…ok, let’s try those on for size shall we :o)

HappyMeal: Cheeseburger, Apple Dippers w/ Caramel Dip & Apple Juice Box
Calories: 500  Fat: 13  SatFat: 6.5  Chol: 45  Sod: 790  Carbs: 80  Fiber: 1  Protein: 15

HappyMeal: 4pc Chicken McNuggets, Apple Dippers w/ Caramel Dip & Apple Juice Box
Calories: 360  Fat: 11  SatFat: 2.5  Chol: 30  Sod: 500  Carbs: 55  Fiber: 0  Protein: 10

Not really much better is it?  What is even more alarming to me is that most kids don’t get the 4 pc nuggets or just one burger because it “isn’t enough”.  I know my son eats at least two cheeseburgers.  What if they are eating at the restaurant and get drink refills?  It just keeps adding up.  Or maybe they get a shake?  Got to have some dessert right?  It’s really no wonder kids today have weight issues (and a myriad of other issues related to this that I won’t go into right now).  The complete blame can’t fall on fast food establishments of course but one has to wonder if they really care more about the kids or the bottom line.

You may be wondering how many calories kids need to grow.  Most of the places I searched just gave calorie ranges but a site I found in Canada broke it down better by age like this.  Start with a base of 1000 calories and add 100 per year old.  So, my two year old would need about 1200 a day for growth.  If my two year old eats a that Cheeseburger, fries and sprite happy meal, she's gotten over half of her daily calories in that one sitting.  Hmm.  Even if the calories were reasonable, the meal itself isn't exactly something you build healthy bodies with.

I’ve talked about caffeine addiction and more recently, sugar addiction.  If these two substances are in fact, addicting, isn’t it even more important that we watch what we put into our mouths?  Does the fast food industry know of these recent findings?  You bet they do.  Do they want you to know of these recent findings?  No way!  Do they really care if you or your child crave their product?  I doubt it, after all, that's the consumer's problem right.  You have a choice. 

As for Super Size Me, I highly recommend it.  Be warned, the film does contain inappropriate language (including the f-bomb), nudity and references to pre-marital sex (positions and performance).  There’s also a reference about Jesus & President Bush that I’m not crazy about.  These things certainly could have been left out of the film.  If you do see the DVD version, be sure to check out “The Smoking Fry” in the bonus material.  It may have you thinking twice before ordering fast food fries again.