Supersize Me brings to light the issue of Americans eating too much fast food. Morgan Spurlock's extreme diet of only McDonald’s was dangerous, even with the advice and care he received from his chosen doctors. Spurlock becomes ill because of the abuse he inflicted upon his body. Some of the damage that he did will never be undone. It’s horrible, and unrealistic, to think that anyone would eat McDonald’s, or fast food in general, for every single meal of every day.
Americans do eat out more than ever, but not at what Spurlock sees as fast food places. Places such as Subway are working to create “fast food” that is healthy. McDonald’s has added healthier substitution items to its menu, including apple dippers, in addition to the many salad meals. Numerous companies have headed the warnings of this film and added or changed menu items. Obviously, the film was correct to point out that although most of the blame does lay with the consumer, some of the blame does lay with the company.
Personally, I believe the companies shouldn’t have to hold any of the blame. Capitalism is about getting a product to market and selling it. These fast food places have lived up to their expectation. On the other foot, nowadays companies have taken more community responsibility as a new way of advertising. McDonald’s started funding the Ronald McDonald House to show their community responsibility. But at the end of the day, McDonald’s is supporting charity because it looks good to customers.
It is the customer’s responsibility to hold their urge to buy McDonald’s in check- similar to the way a child must abandon to urge to eat glue.
2 comments:
According to McDonald's nutritional facts website, "McDonald's serves a range of high-quality foods that can fit into a balanced diet. We believe that accurate and accessible nutrition information help guests make informed menu choices.
Well, I decided to investigate that statement along with S-Kat's regarding the salad choices. A Premium Southwest Salad with Crispy Chicken is 430 calories. These calories don't seem like a ton but if you look at the amount of sodium, it's 920 mg. I did not know much about the reccomended daily intake of sodium until I started researching. This is what I found from CNN.com , "Although no one knows for certain, scientists estimate the body requires 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) each day for basic physiologic functions." Um, does 920 look like a bit more than 500? I would say so. Just think, this is only for one meal of the day, by 10 PM, one's sodium level could shoot uo to around 3000 mg. No wonder why so many Americans suffer from high cholesterol and diabetes.
Yeah consumers need to be more responsible, but adding apple dippers to the menu does not make up for everything else on the menu that is just a heart attack waiting to happen. Fast food places should be banned. Or they could just stop putting unnecessary crap in their food. For example is all that sodium needed? Does a pound of salt need to be added to the fries? And why must the fried be cooked in beef fat (McDonald's)?
We all know that American's or anyone, isn't going to jump up and start being healthy and responsible. So maybe these companies should be more responsible as well. Somebody needs to meet half way, or at least that's what I think.
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