The Fast Food Industry's 7 Most Heinous Concoctions

[Joanne98]

By Brad Reed, AlterNet
Posted on August 27, 2009, Printed on August 28, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/story/142237/

Although the organic movement has certainly started to influence how Americans think about their food, it is still no match for the American fast food industry, which continuously finds creative new ways of piling sugar, salt and fat on a plate and charging customers $4.99 for the privilege of eating it.

In recent years, in fact, some of America's favorite chains have gone above and beyond the call of duty and concocted thoroughly repellent dishes that make the Double Quarter Pounder look like a celery stick. These companies have offered Americans these revolting meals despite the fact that roughly one-third of the country is now obese, a deplorable state of affairs that accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers estimates costs the U.S. health-care system $200 billion a year in wasted spending.

In this article, we'll name and shame the very worst offenders, whether they're 1,400-calorie hamburgers or 550-calorie cups of coffee. So let's get things rolling with …

No. 7 -- The Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sundae

continued>>>
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/142237/the_fast_food_industry%27s_7_most_heinous_concoctions_/

[izquierdista]

1. Another man's treasure

You do realize this list is the Homer Simpson balanced food pyramid, don't you?

[JeanGrey]

2. I feel sick.

Those Hardees burgers have been making me sick since I first saw them advertised on TV. Gross.

[tomg]

3. That article was both

hilarious and frightening. I wonder which is more amazing: that some companies actually thought those things up - I mean, the KFC double down? -; or that human beings would actually eat those things.

[JackintheGreen]

7. What I find frightening is the smug self-righteousness

of the piece. Gods, I hate to be the libertarian voice in all this (and somebody, posted or not, is gonna automatically assume that I am a freeper lurker). But you know how I deal with these culinary abortions? I don't eat them. I don't go to the restaurants that serve them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with restaurants offering these things, or with people ordering them. In my youth I loved those March days when I could get both a McRib and a Shamrock Shake, but that was years ago and common sense has reformed me. People have free will. Or they don't and they were fated to eat shit anyway. Either way, there is nothing any of us should do individually about what other people put in their faces.

This isn't a direct response to you, tomg, but rather to the whole tenor of the discussion.

[Berry Cool]

12. Good point. I mean, I'm no libertarian, but these progressive-written articles preaching

against the awfulness and unhealthiness of various fast-food items are just too easy to write and accomplish nothing.

I mean, these food are such easy punching bags. "Oh, this is so terrible, it's a heart attack on a plate, besides which it's disgusting and I would never eat it, har har har." Well, yeah, it is, but what's your point? That fast-food places should not sell such things--that they should be banned? Yet you'd probably argue that cigarettes are OK to sell because if people want to shorten their lives with the things it's their business? Well, OK then. What if I write an article about how icky cigarettes are and how I would never want to smoke one, would people find that kind of tirade entertaining? ("Oh, and MENTHOL cigarettes--like, I want a cool breeze blowing through my hot cancerous tobacco experience? EWWWWW!") I doubt it. I guess reading about food people consider disgusting is more entertaining than reading about how people aren't turned on by ciggies--kind of like getting easy laughs out of the Gallery of Regrettable Food--but what's the political point? At least the GoRF isn't trying to make a political point out of the laughs, just taking easy swipes at the food that corporate America tried to pass off to us as yummy many decades ago.

Progressives write, and usually read, articles about fast-food atrocities only because it makes them feel more sanctimonious about what they won't put in their own bodies. "You'll never find ME eating that disgusting stuff--not in a million years." Well, good. Here's your medal. Now get out of here.

[Ron Green]

14. Actually there is something wrong with restaurants offering these things, AND

with people ordering them. To hope that "common sense" will eventually correct the eating habits of young people surrounded by these food choices is sounds fine from a Free Market point of view, but naive from a public-health perspective.

If people want to concoct these dishes at home, they're free to do so; but to countenance their merchandising and marketing in the public sphere is truly irresponsible, and that's why I hear the tone of the article not as smug self-righteousness but as the necessary scathing and sarcastic treatment these death-mongers deserve all the time.

[sledgehammer]

17. Is there a parallel with alcohol then?

Alcohol causes a hell of a lot of health problems, including heart disease and death. Not to mention it can be directly related to criminal activity (violence, DUI, etc) and lots of social ills.

But alcohol is marketed in our faces 24/7. Almost every sport event is heavily sponsored by alcohol. TV is full of alcohol ads. It's marketed as a macho, cool, and relaxing thing to do. Is that not irresponsible too?

"Common sense" has really not changed America's drinking habits either, just as it hasn't changed eating habits. But very few people go after the alcohol industry the way they do fast food. Not sure why.

[Grinchie]

24. It's called a negative feedback loop.

The more they prey on people that no longer recognize the impact that food has on their lives, the more the prey becomes ever addicted until they die.

Your remark about people making a Thickburger or KFC Double Down at home is almost as reasonable as a home made batch of deep fried Cocal Cola Syrup.

[Gman2]

18. Problem is, that is all the poor can afford to eat, YOU are also elitist.

I understand and am somewhat libertarian{recovered}. But good food costs. A LOT. So, what is a poor parent to do? Feed your kid hamburger helper? That shit is shit too. And all that shit has many modes of MSG in them, to hook your kids and yourself, on shit.

[JackintheGreen]

31. Put bluntly, you don't know shit about me

I am a graduate student who's also a third shift laborer so I can buy textbooks and food and still be home for my kid after school (I don't go to work until she's in bed). The job, fortunately, offers decent benefits so that I can take her to doctor when I need to. For the last week I have had to walk everywhere because I haven't had enough money to put gas in my car or buy a train ticket into the city. We've been eating canned tomatoes, dried beans and rice until the pay check comes in.

I am lucky enough to have a good enough education so that I can make an informed choice about what I buy to feed my family with very limited dollars, and I can feed us for less than I could at a fast food restaurant. I even live next to one of those "urban bodegas" that healthy shopping advocates opine so much about. I can tell you from experience that healthy food (not the same necessarily as "good" food) does not have to cost a lot. It just isn't very interesting food.

So don't you fucking dare call me an elitist until you ask me some fucking questions about where I'm coming from. I'd be happy to have the conversation with you, but I don't cotton to being name-called by some who doesn't know shit about my situation.

[Donnachaidh]

4. krispy kreme donuts are disgusting, and the vomit bowl from kfc is too

Is it any wonder that people have weight and health problems with this shit in the marketplace?

[KansDem]

5. That and this...

Heart Attack Grill on The Doctors

Is it any wonder why Americans are getting fatter each year?

[CrispyQ]

6. Retch.

That KFC Famous Bowl looks disgusting - even more so than their Double Down.

:puke:

[Daveparts still]

8. Mr. Johnson!

We are all out of secret sauce. Do you want me to leave the mayonaise in the sun again?
(The Simpsons)

I read through the list and thought I had escaped but one night we had tried the Oreo cookie pizza and it was awful. One of those ideas that sounds good but really isnt. Do they still make it, I havn't seen it advertised.

I understand that fast food is not good for you and that some is worse than others but I also fear a day when food pickets surround the Dairy Queen.

"God save me from reformers!"
(Mark Twain)

[sybylla]

10. Sensorship is telling a man he can't have a steak because a baby can't chew.

Another Mark Twain gem.

I agree on the fear of pickets. I think it's perfectly fine to point out the obvious manipulations the menu concoctions have on human cravings and pocketbooks. I would love to see ads counter these fast food companies informing the public how many calories and how few vitamins are in their food. In fact, I'd even go so far as to force these companies to report it as a "truth in food advertising" requirement, just like the drug manufacturers have to report the side effects of their product. But I think banning it and shaming the people who fall for the marketing and manipulation is not the way to proceed.

[Love Bug]

9. How is a Krispy Kreme sundae worse than say, a brownie sundae?

I don't see how that should be singled-out at being worse than the average concoction at Dairy Queen. That double burger, tho -- yuk.

[evilkumquat]

11. Shouldn't "Everything in Moderation" Be the Response?

No one would die from eating anything on that menu (unless in diabetic extremis).

I think the merit of the article is based on how dangerous and deadly these foods are if taken as a staple, rather than the occasional monthly or weekly splurge, although the snide tone clearly implies the author thinks the majority of our citizens are guzzling these on a daily basis.

Certainly an individual who engages in moderate regular exercise and keeps his diet within healthy norms can reward himself with a treat now and then?

Full disclosure: I'm personally a lazy fatass who eats poorly and never exercises. However, I have many friends with better habits than myself who still eat poorly from time to time. Why should they suffer from lack of variety because people like me can't force ourselves to ride a bike now and then?

[HuckleB]

34. Exactly!

How could they leave out the locally infamous (in Portland, OR) Cheesus Burger:

The Soon-to-be-Famous Burger Behemoth. We’ve done away with the bun and
replaced it with two grilled cheese sandwiches. That’s right, two of them.
One on top, one on the bottom. Pickles and American cheese inside one, Grilled
Onion and Colby Jack in the other. Lettuce, Tomato, Ketchup, Mustard, and
1/3lb Burger in between. You won’t need to eat again for 2 days.
Comes with a bag of chips and a case of napkins.

http://www.grilledcheesegrill.com/

Alas, it's not as good as it sounds, though some of the other sandwiches are wonderful.

[izzybeans]

13. I always thought the "failure pile inside of sadness bowl" was my number one.

But KFC topped themselves with the Shitburger Double Down.

[caraher]

15. I just don't eat the stuff myself, but...

the libertarian approach to this works best only if everyone has decent access to reasonable alternatives. Vast segments of the population live in urban areas where supermarkets are located in the suburbs while in the cities there's a fast food joint on every corner. It probably does more good to find creative ways to make affordable good food available to everyone than to rip on the worst excesses of the industrial prepared foods business.

[billyclem]

16. Let people eat what they wish to

I am in my 60's and have been a type 1 diabetic for > 30 years. Needless to say I have followed a strict dietary program or I wouldn't be typing this. Fast food has changed so much in 30 years it is amazing. I have no desire to eat any of it. When I am with my daughter and her family and a stop is made for fast food I just drink an iced tea and watch in horror as they consume what I consider to be garbage. She knows my feelings but justifies it with "once in a while is OK". Right.

I wonder how much worse it can get? I thought deep fried cheese was the limit!

:cry:

[Gormy Cuss]

27. I think that fewer people would choose these items if the nutritional info was posted.

Ignorance is bliss.

[Gman2]

19. On the other hand, these things seem to be shock PR.

They make a few of them like they really offer them en masse. Like the racing cars made specifically for homologation. By the big mfg's. We call them names for BEING RADD. Young people see that and say to themselves, I will rebel. I dont know shit, so I cannot do it with ideas. I know, I will do it with one of the things my mommy and daddy cant stop. What I eat. The other way to be way radd, is what you say.

[kelly1mm]

20. I have had the Monster thick burger (once) and it was GOOD!

and I want to try the KFC double down (probably once as well) when I get a chance. The Oreo pizza looks gross though. I don't have a problem with them marketing this crap (yes I know it is crap) and I think people eating this stuff 24/7 is natural selection in action. It's ok as a treat or once in a while in my book.

[quaker bill]

21. when i was much younger, perhaps

But anymore, if I ate something like that I would either lose my lunch, or have to take a 2 hour nap to sleep it off. no thanks

[sweetloukillbot]

22. The Oreo Pizza

I can't speak for the rest of the country, but at least in Phoenix that revolting Domino's creation lasted about 3 weeks. The staff hated them, the customers hated them, and they quietly went away as soon as the ad campaign ended. And our store was left with a big box of crumbled Oreo cookie "topping" and cases of the nasty icing that went over the top of the thing.

[A1Sauce]

23. wow!

holy cow, I'm getting fat by just looking at this stuff

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[d_r]

26. fast food discoveries

Here is what I discovered. At McDonalds, if you order a big mac and ask for "Extra meat" they will make you a big mac with the 1/4 pounder patties.

Or, if you don't order that, then they won't.

[bemildred]

28. Chili Cheese Fries, natures most nearly perfect food.

Get the large size.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

29. I don't eat at any of the restaurants listed.

Okay maybe Pizza Hut if someone else is buying.

But generally I avoid fast food joints. That said it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the foods listed are not very good for you.

[AsahinaKimi]

30. So this is what Republicans like to eat.... O.0"

I bet all of these things are in the FOX News Cafeteria!

[Joe the Liberal]

32. LOL this article is hilarious....

"They could add some fruit as well, of course, but what's the point? If you regularly eat a doughnut sundae, no level of Vitamin C will save you."

"The thought of joylessly plowing through the Bowl's starchy potatoes, greasy gravy and processed cheese sounds about as soulless and monotonous as working in a puppy-slaughtering factory."

"Specifically, he said the Thickburger was "not a burger for tree-huggers" but rather "for guys who want a really big, delicious, juicy decadent burger." Yes, gents, nothing will show the ladies how manly you are quite like a belly made entirely of butter."

"The KFC Double Down is really the ideological heir to the Thickburger, as it was seemingly designed for the sole purpose of pissing off nutrition advocates.

You can imagine future commercials where a rugged Ford-truck-style announcer comes on and says, "The next time some fruity bureaucrat tells you to exercise, look him in the eye and say, 'Hell no! I'm doublin' down with the KFC Double Down!'....it also contains something called "The Colonel's Sauce," which probably contains at the very least 2 percent all-natural radioactive waste."

"Were Dr. Jack Kevorkian still practicing his trade, he'd surely use consumption of the Oreo pizza as his preferred method of assisted suicide."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


It wouldn't be all bad that they sell this shit if we actually had good health care. If we did then we could at least treat the inevitable health conditions that are sure to arise from consuming those.

[comtec]

35. He dared to diss my frappichino!

I live for frappichinos..... the once in a blue moon that I have one anyway.

I think moderation is the real key like people are saying.

Most of this stuff i'd try once... maybe... on a dare.

I've always wondered about starting a drive-thru (because lets be honest if it's not drive-thru you're loosing a great many people who eat crap lol) that served steamed and tempura veggies and half-decent veggie burgers.
I'd make fries in a similar fashion as in n out burgers, but dry-fry them (uses more energy than an oil fry, but they're not greasy) and make buns that have less crap in them. Also offer several brewed teas (Wendy's and JitB brew tea usually not make syrup) as well as non-hfcs-based sodas.

You need to wean people off the garbage as slowly as they were weaned on it. I think that kind of 'fast food' joint could do well if you do it right.
I suppose the real trick is to 'fool' people in to eating healthier, without preaching, without ramming it down their throat and (here's the hard part) without breaking their ever-shrinking bank.

[Enthusiast]

33. Some of those sound

downright tasty! :shrug: :rofl: