SuperSize Me -- documentary

[ohMom]

Do you struggle with fast-food cravings??? oh my watch this documentary -- i just netflixed it and both my kids watched with me (beware there is some cursing) but it was very though-provoking on the effects on fast-food to our bodies. I realize most of us don't/won't eat fast-food for every meal for 30 days in a row but I guess I never realized how many people eat it once a week, 2-3 times a week, and some even more. Did you know even McD's salads contain sugar?

anyhow -- very informative show - just thought i'd put it out for discussion. i'm going to rewatch it with my oldest daughter, the last 1/2 as she hasn't seen it all yet. I really want her to watch b/c she travels alot and loves her fast food

 

[Twinkles6892]

People who are in health this semester watched it, and they're being really abnoxious about it. My friend and I loooove fruit and yogurt parfaits, and everyone keeps going on about how you might as well eat a big mac 160 calories, 2 grams of fat, i'm not really seeing big mac status there.

 

[xterratri]

Hey Twinkle, we're relatively neighbors as I live in York County on the water. I'm a med student(and not even remotely reformed triathlete) and our nutrition instructor showed this film the second class period. Most med students are OCD types about healthy lifestyles anyway but it was still eye opening. One nice thing about being on the coast is that the closest McD's is a 15 minute drive away.

What's the problem with the fruit and yogurt parfaits? Portion size. That 160 calories is for the little one, 5.3 oz. The normal container of yogurt I eat for breakfast is 8 oz so very few people are going to eat just parfait but will instead add it on after a burger, fries, and a soda. It's possible to eat fast food relatively healthy as long as you watch portion size and frequency. One of the major concerns that is more deeply hidden than caloric content though is the sodium level of even the low fat Subway subs. Soda is also a problem for a multitude of reasons including the diet stuff. It's easy to know what's right but harder to actually fit those things into your lifestyle at times. Oh well, off to run.

 

[Twinkles6892]

Yeah, we sometimes walk down to mcdonalds and that's all we get, it's just a snack, but hey, it's only 3 points and I gain 2 from walking

 

[MelanieC]

Hey Molli- Great topic.

I netflix'd it too this weekend. Dh had a big training exercise (mock war & its a pass/fail type thing) weekend this weekend and was working 2pm-5am each day. It gave me the oppurtunity to watch something I wanted to!

Anyhow, what a great documentary. I think every american should see this. How about them old chickens they use for chicken nuggets-GROSS. I have to watch the last part tonight as I actually missed the last bit. When I eat healthy, that is the one restaurant I refuse to go to. DH & the kids love it though and I do like Big Macs-but I'm hoping its something I only eat on the rarest of occasions now.

I can't believe how he raised his cholesterol so quickly. And he gained so much weight. I really wanted DH to watch it with me but he thinks its stupid because no one eats all meals every day. I told him he is missing the picture and plenty of people eat most meals out and eat lunch out every day. It is a way of life in america.

My husband eats partially healthy but I have a hard time getting him to completely give up soda. There were some interesting information about soda in this documentary as well.

Lets just say, this documentary has made my mission to not stop at McDonalds for our vacation this year. Usually we stop for breakfast, sometimes dinner or lunch on our drive to Florida. Last year we even ate at the McDonald's near the All Star Movies twice (during a two week stay). I'll do everything in my power to stay away this time. We are going for two weeks again this summer and I know DH will say I'm tired at eating at Restaurants, lets just do McDonalds tonight. I have to stop it lol!

 

[calena]

I watched that documentary too and it was depressing and eye-opening. My husband, who hates McDs just loved it! The thing I think should be kept in perspective is when I was a kid going to a burger joint was maybe a treat for once a week or once every two weeks. Now we think we have to go three times a week to similar fast food fried kind of places. No wonder we are FAT!

 

[rcyannacci]

I haven't been to McDonalds since watching this- definitely eye opening!

In fact, the only fast-food place I've been to recently is Wendy's, and I tend to order things that I know can't be too processed- the fruit bowl, a baked potato, or a salad.

BTW- watch the sugars on some of the salads. The manderin orange one is loaded with sugar, especially the dressing. I had the new Greek salad the other day and it was good. It seeems to be the one with the least sugar. (only 3 gms in the dressing)

 

[Timon]

This movie fascinated me!

When I was a kid, I was always wanting McD's. In fact, my parents used to joke that my brothers and sisters used to have to distract me on family vacation when there was a big tall McDonald's M off the highway cus if we didn't stop, I'd have a fit!

I ate it regularily until about 5-6 years ago. Now when I eat it, I get sick, I feel gross and my stomach turns. When I met hubby, he was eating at McD's every day as he was living on his own and he doesn't cook. It's still the only fast food he likes but it's starting to make him sick too now but he just keeps eating it.

So, about 2 months ago I made him watch this documentary with me. Make sure that if you watch this on DVD, that you watch the extra bonus feature. He puts several items from McD's in glass jars and leaves them there to see how they break down. He also got a burger and fries from a Mom & Pop restaurant and did the same thing. The next day the Mom & Pop fries were BLACK!!!!!!!! Totally disgusting!

He had to throw them out they were so gross, however, the Mickey D fries, about 5-6 weeks later, looked as if they were bought yesterday!

I just thought to myself, what is IN them? Blech!

Anyhoo, hubby hasn't had McD fries since then and has totally cut down on eating their burgers too! I haven't had McD's in a very long time and since watching it, I've thought a LOT more about what I put into my body!


In any case, the documentary is entertaining and you all should watch it!