Finally caught Super Size Me last night, and the verdict is: meh. It was definitely interesting, and Morgan Spurlock was funny throughout, but I really don’t see the big deal. I got the feeling that this movie really opened eyes, but I just didn’t see anything new or shocking. I certainly enjoyed watching the movie, but as a documentary it was not the amazingly brilliant, earth-shattering message that it’s been made out to be.
When I worked at NetTech, it was only three or four guys originally working out of a basement in the ‘burbs. The nearest shopping center had a Wendy’s, a Burger King, a Chinese place, and a pizza place. We typically alternated amongst them when we weren’t out job sites. It was also common for us to hit a Mickey D’s or BK out on the road, but all the time. At the worst I’d say that I ate fast food anywhere from 2 to 4 lunches a week. Outside of that I’d hit one for dinner maybe once or twice a month. And guess what? It made me feel like crap. It wasn’t surprising in the least, but it’s what we did. And if we hadn’t all been in fairly good shape, it probably wouldn’t have gone on that long. But every so often we would make the effort and cut down, and guess what? We’d feel better.
Well, maybe not Doug. I think he actually needed Popeye’s at least once again for his metabolism.
These days I really cut down on the whole fast food experience, because I’ve known since I was a little boy that it was bad for me. Just go out to a nice place and get a real burger. You know, the ones that cost $5.99 instead of 89 cents. If you honestly think they were made in the same way, you’re nuts.
This is somewhat scattered, but I’m having trouble trying to organize all of my thoughts here. I didn’t dislike the movie, and I certainly don’t think Spurlock was trying to blame America’s obesity problems strictly on Mickey D’s, but I also don’t think he really made much of a point. Well, aside from the one that if you eat crap for 30 days straight, it will be bad for you. Thanks, I figured that one out about 20 years ago.
I’m not trying to excuse some of the crappy standards that fast food companies operate under, but then again it’s called FAST food for a reason – the health and quality of it sure ain’t the major selling point. But come on folks, it’s not that hard to NOT supersize a meal. I’m glad that people are trying to be healthier, but it’s funny when people act like this kind of crap is just plain evil. Sure it is, just like bread.
Somedays I feel like I’m the only person who’s ever heard of a little thing called “moderation.”
I really enjoyed Supersize Me. As somewhat of a health nut (or at least a diet junkie), I wasn’t shocked by any of the fast food stuff. But it was the smaller stories that got to me – the school cafeteria stuff. I thought that was pretty eye opening. When parents send their children to school and expect them to be offered a healthy lunch, it really isn’t acceptable for them to eat french fries and have them be called a vegetable.
I may check this out at some point, I was thinking of picking it up but I may pass after reading this.
As for the quality of food, it reminds me of the standard formula: you can have it fast, cheap, or good – pick any two. Since fast food is cheap, well… there you go.
I’ve managed to cut fast food almost entirely out of my system (despite having most of the major ones placed between my home and work) and I’ll occassionally grab something from, say, Subway or Blimpie. While not the greatest food on earth, I’m betting their sandwiches are better for me than whatever it is McDonald’s puts between a sesame seed bun.
Malina – You’re totally right about the school cafeteria thing. That was the one story that really got to me. While we watched that part I leaned over to Lisa and told her that whatever school district our kids end up in will serve good food or deal with my wrath. Of course I’ve also told her that I’ll personally beat the crap out of any bullies they encounter, too, so take that for what it’s worth.
Mark – Fortunately I had it available On Demand for free. It was an interesting movie, but my big problem was it really wasn’t the shocker people made it out to be. At least not for me. And yeah, the biggest problem with fast food joints is that they tend to be in the most convenient places. When you have to go out of your way for more expensive food, it’s difficult not to just take the easy way out.