Gothamist: Super Size Me

Simon

Sun, 09 May 2004 12:11:23 -0500

Humphrey, I'm sure there are plently of good restaurants outside of New York, just not as many alternatives to fast food at the lower-cost end of the spectrum. People in big cities tend to be better educated and more prone to eat better food than rural / suburban people who eat things like "shit on a shingle" and "chicken fried steak" and "white gravy and biscuits" read about the demographics of obesity here and draw your own conclusions: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/e_txtbk/ratnl/212.htm

Lurking Grue

Sat, 08 May 2004 21:57:50 -0500

Humphrey Bogus is totally wrong. I'm forced to live outside the five boros, and there's nothing between the coasts that is a "broadening experience"... unless by "broadening" he means "fattening", in which case I agree -- there's plenty of fat folk between the Appalachians and the Rockies. And Chicago only has decent steak -- no other reason to go there.

lorna

Sat, 08 May 2004 11:09:33 -0500

I have had to stop eating out for lunch due to finances and now I bring my lunch from home. I think I have lost five pounds, and have a lot more energy. I think restaurant food, fast food or not, is not a healthy way to eat.

Humphrey Bogus

Fri, 07 May 2004 18:55:57 -0500

Simon, it may astonish you to learn that there are restaurants (good ones, even) outside of New York and LA. In fact, there's even a place called "Chicago"--somewhere in Middle America, it's so hard to differentiate all those boxy states--that has quite a few of them. While nothing of true value could exist outside the five boros, you might consider a short visit to Middle America, perhaps if only for the broadening experience that will make a fascinating tale at dinner parties, muggings, or whatever else it is that convinces New Yorkers that life must be ever so drab west of the Hudson.

a

Fri, 07 May 2004 17:28:38 -0500

Agreed. Even though Mel Gibson's "Passion" is much more radar than "Super Size Me," it's the smaller movie that's more intriguing.

Jen

Fri, 07 May 2004 17:11:40 -0500

I'm still intrigued by the premise of the film. I may not be taken in by Mel Gibson's Jesus story but I will see something that involves vomiting McDonald's food!

tien

Fri, 07 May 2004 17:05:11 -0500

but the egg mcmuffin! so tasty!!

lames

Fri, 07 May 2004 16:37:08 -0500

i read that the reason he got so sick was because he forced himself to eat the most fattening, largest options each and every time he dined, and also forced himself to finish every bite even if he was full. to contrast, there is a woman who is doing a similar 'mcdonald's only for a month' documentary, and she (and her doctor) assert that in moderation there's nothing wrong with eating fast food. this is just "food for thought" (bad pun)...and for the record, i still think fast food is gross.

diego

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:53:42 -0500

Last month, I went back home to Texas (which, according to the movie, has 4 of the fattest cities in USA now) and McDonald's meals were dirt cheap there. In the airport, I was forced to eat at McDonald's because there was no other choice. I got a value meal for 4 bucks! Here in Chelsea, the McD's charges 7 bucks for the same thing! How avg income New Yorkers can afford even McDonald's is beyond me. I agree with the previous post...you can eat much better/healthier for cheaper or the same cost.

Jennifer

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:51:20 -0500

The last Esquire had a fairly scathing review of Super Size Me written by the ubiquitous Chuck Klosterman. I didn't read it but scanned enough of it to know it was a diss.

rm

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:44:02 -0500

Is burritoville fast food? Even if I get a whole wheat tortilla? Can't kid myself anymore that it's healthy, huh?

Simon

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:32:55 -0500

McDonalds is actually pretty expensive. I think a super sized value meal is around 6 bucks now. Theres a health food store in my neighborhood that has a salad bar and steam trays with hot food, and you can get a huge pile of tasty healthy food made from organic veggies and free range meats for about 6 bucks a plate. Thats about the same price as a meal froma fast food restaurant and so mch better for you. The whole "fast food is inexpensive" thing is really just a myth. Hmm, now that I think about it, thats a New Yorker's privilege; I guess once youre out in middle america, there arent many alternatives to fast food...

KeithS

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:24:36 -0500

I haven't eaten, or set foot, in a McDonald's restaurant for over 5 years, and I feel really good about that. (Prior to that visit, it had been three years.)

Jen

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:14:47 -0500

I accidentally deleted off. Apologies.

joe s

Fri, 07 May 2004 15:10:05 -0500

Jen, did you mean "off the radar" or have I also just revealed my lack of hip slang knowledge?

a

Fri, 07 May 2004 14:36:49 -0500

"...movies that are a little more radar..." I like that adjectival use of radar. Is this some hip slang I've completely missed out on?

Josh

Fri, 07 May 2004 14:10:13 -0500

agree about Saved.