Heather Mallick Column on Obesity.

[Boges]

Thoughts on this column?

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1051886--mallick-a-canadian-walks-into-a-burger-bar

McDonald’s is spending a billion dollars to tart itself up in Canada. Just so you know.

I wouldn’t want you to walk into a McDonald’s and do what you usually do, order an Angus Third Pounder Bacon & Cheese and fries and a Triple Thick Milkshake, stare at the greasy table and think that somewhere in life you took a wrong turn, and if you could just look in the rearview mirror and make serial beeping noises you could back up and start all over again.

Busy with regret, you might not notice that McDonald’s is reinventing itself with fireplaces and leather furnishings, earth tones rather than the red-and-yellow your children find so unaccountably attractive, and angles everywhere instead of those suddenly tacky curves. In other words it’s 1964 again, which would be okay if you were middle-aged and at your 1964 fightin’ weight, which you never will be again thanks to places like McDonald’s.

I find this woman to be loathsome. This column smacks of some of the most anti-capitalism anti freedom sentiments I've ever heard.

Fast food joints like McDonalds are often targets as being to blame for obesity because they are successful. No one would dare take aim at a high-end french restaurant even though they serve food that's even unhealthier.

When will it come to a point when these people would label all establishments that serve meat as unethical and unworthy of Canadian values? Oh wait they already do. They say you shouldn't own a dog, they say you shouldn't live outside a large urban areas, they say you shouldn't own a car.

Clearly the benefits of freedom are lost on the left.

What ironically is lost on Miss Mallick is that people go to these restaurants for a myriad of reasons. I went to McDonalds yesterday and even at 4pm on a Sunday it was pretty busy. Not everyone in the line were obese people slumbering along for another fix. In fact most weren't.

The truth is McDonald's serves a purpose. If you eat it too much there are repercussions, even though the food is cheapER, eating there is not a cost effective way to live your life.

Take a look at a portion of this episode from Penn and Teller's Bullshit to highlight how insane this war against fast food is.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Boges

[Black Dog]

Thoughts on this column?

I find this woman to be loathsome. This column smacks of some of the most anti-capitalism anti freedom sentiments I've ever heard.

Gee, what an unexpected reaction.

Fast food joints like McDonalds are often targets as being to blame for obesity because they are successful. No one would dare take aim at a high-end french restaurant even though they serve food that's even unhealthier.

I can't think of many high-end French restaurants that span the globe and boast of more than a billion customers, can you?

When will it come to a point when these people would label all establishments that serve meat as unethical and unworthy of Canadian values? Oh wait they already do. They say you shouldn't own a dog, they say you shouldn't live outside a large urban areas, they say you shouldn't own a car.

Clearly the benefits of freedom are lost on the left.

Who are "they"? And where is anyone advocating that the choice to do these things be curtailed? Great thing about freedom is it also includes the freedom to cast aspersions on the personal choices of others.

What ironically is lost on Miss Mallick is that people go to these restaurants for a myriad of reasons. I went to McDonalds yesterday and even at 4pm on a Sunday it was pretty busy. Not everyone in the line were obese people slumbering along for another fix. In fact most weren't.

The truth is McDonald's serves a purpose. If you eat it too much there are repercussions, even though the food is cheapER, eating there is not a cost effective way to live your life.

And?

[Boges]

I can't think of many high-end French restaurants that span the globe and boast of more than a billion customers, can you?

That's the point. They are an easy target because they are successful.

Food is food. I know what I'm eating when I go to a McDonalds there is far worse food out there for you.

It's like when G20 protestors try to break the windows of Starbucks. That establishment started out as simple local coffee shop too, but you wouldn't think of going after them would you?

McDonalds is moving away from the greasy burger joint. It wasn't different market share. That's why it's making these changes. And it's actually working quite well.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Boges

[Boges]

Who are "they"? And where is anyone advocating that the choice to do these things be curtailed? Great thing about freedom is it also includes the freedom to cast aspersions on the personal choices of others.

Yeah because there aren't proposals for additional taxes to be added on foods that some deem to be unhealthy.

[Michael Hardner]

I like the comment that "most" weren't obese.

So up to 49% may have been obese and the remaining 51% only were overweight...

[Black Dog]

That's the point. They are an easy target because they are successful.

No they are an easy target because of who they, well, target. Kids, low income families etc.

Food is food.

Not when it's hyper processed and laden with extra salt and preservatives and god knows what else.

McDonalds is moving away from the greasy burger joint. It wasn't different market share. That's why it's making these changes. And it's actually working quite well.

By what measure?

Yeah because there aren't proposals for additional taxes to be added on foods that some deem to be unhealthy.

First: cite? Second: "some deem to be unhealthy?" Care to elaborate on the hidden health benefits of a big Mac?

Also it's always hilarious when free market champions take up the cause of places like McDonad's which simply would not be near the success they are without government subsidies in every facet of their business.

[Boges]

No they are an easy target because of who they, well, target. Kids, low income families etc.

As opposed to what? the grocery store? Any number of restaurants that sell the exact same thing as McDonalds in larger portions?

It's not like McDonald's is exactly cheap or anything. You can get a meal cheaper at, say, Subway. You can also buy 8 frozen 1/3 lb burgers at any grocery store for less than $10.

If you're low income and you're eating at McDonald's everyday, perhaps that's the reason you're low income.

You probably haven't set foot in a McDonald's recently but they are definitely trying to go after Tim Horton's and Starbuck's market share. There's a selection of high-end coffees, the ambiance is different, you get free Wifi. There are things on the menu that don't scream greasy spoon. They are upscaling the place. Probably so they can charge more for the food. Not exactly going after low-income familes like you said.

If you want to make the argument that eating out is bad, then make that argument.

But this column is an anti-capitalist rant not a pro-health one. I'd have respected it more if it stated that the vegan lifestyle is the only moral one.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Boges

[Boges]

First: cite? Second: "some deem to be unhealthy?" Care to elaborate on the hidden health benefits of a big Mac?

Just google Soda Tax. Or Snack Food tax.

Nothing has come from any of it because such a thing is anti-freedom and would target low-income people. So it would never fly in North America. Doesn't mean many on the left don't think it's a good idea.

BTW a Big Mac is a Hamburger.

Would you tax the components of a Hamburger? Would you tax beef, eggs, cheese, bread, and the vegetables? Or would you just tax the idea of someone making it for you and charging you a premium for it.

I googled it.

http://www.examiner.com/extreme-weight-loss-in-national/fast-food-investigation-what-are-the-real-ingredients-of-a-big-mac

According to this story if you take away the bun and the sauce most of what makes up a is pretty high quality. So if they made the bun out a Multi-Grain bread and mayonnaise you probably wouldn't have as much of a problem with it.

Then again the reason people like the Big Mac is because of the sauce.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Boges

[Boges]

I like the comment that "most" weren't obese.

So up to 49% may have been obese and the remaining 51% only were overweight...

Perhaps someone should do a study to find out the physical make up of the people that go to McDonalds.

Then again it may not take into account the part of the population that have such high metabolisms they can eat whatever they want, or those who have such active lifestyles that they burn through the calories and then some from a fast food meal.

[Black Dog]

As opposed to what? the grocery store? Any number of restaurants that sell the exact same thing as McDonalds in larger portions?

Look, if you want to throw Olive Garden and Chilis onto the pyre as well, fine. But that's not what you're going after.

It's not like McDonald's is exactly cheap or anything. You can get a meal cheaper at, say, Subway. You can also buy 8 frozen 1/3 lb burgers at any grocery store for less than $10.

If you're low income and you're eating at McDonald's everyday, perhaps that's the reason you're low income.

So can you explain why McDonald's is so successful if not for the fact it's both cheap and convinient?

You probably haven't set foot in a McDonald's recently but they are definitely trying to go after Tim Horton's and Starbuck's market share. There's a selection of high-end coffees, the ambiance is different, you get free Wifi. There are things on the menu that don't scream greasy spoon. They are upscaling the place. Probably so they can charge more for the food. Not exactly going after low-income familes like you said.

And why is that, you reckon? Couldn't possibly have anything to do with teh bad rap they've picked up over the years from freedom hating food Nazis, eh?

If you want to make the argument that eating out is bad, then make that argument.

Why?

But this column is an anti-capitalist rant not a pro-health one. I'd have respected it more if it stated that the vegan lifestyle is the only moral one.

You would have written that regardless of the content. In fact, it seems that's exactly what you have done.

The crux of the column is this: McDonald's is dressing its wares up, but a turd painted gold is still a turd.

Just google Soda Tax. Or Snack Food tax.

Nothing has come from any of it because such a thing is anti-freedom and would target low-income people. So it would never fly in North America. Doesn't mean many on the left don't think it's a good idea.

How is it "anti-freedom"? You would still have the freedom to buy shit food. Fuck, let's just take this logic to its ultimate conclusion: charging for food is anti-freedom.

According to this story if you take away the bun and the sauce most of what makes up a is pretty high quality. So if they made the bun out a Multi-Grain bread and mayonnaise you probably wouldn't have as much of a problem with it.

Then again the reason people like the Big Mac is because of the sauce.

So if you take away the shit that makes a Big Mac a Big Mac, you get a pretty good reconstituted meat product. Awesome!

Edited September 12, 2011 by Black Dog

[Boges]

Look, if you want to throw Olive Garden and Chilis onto the pyre as well, fine. But that's not what you're going after.

Or any restaurant. Like that Indie Pub you like to go to on Friday nights that serves those bitching potato skins, nachos and local beer.

So can you explain why McDonald's is so successful if not for the fact it's both cheap and convinient?

That's what fast food is. McDonalds is just the best at it because it mastered the idea of consistency in its food, no matter where you are. I can find many ways to eat unhealthy food cheaper though.

The crux of the column is this: McDonald's is dressing its wares up, but a turd painted gold is still a turd.

Would you say the same about Canadian outlets like Hero Burger or Harvey's? Is it a turd because of the food or the ambiance? Perhaps there should be a law that states all unhealthy food should be sold in a place that is uncomfortable to be in.

How is it "anti-freedom"? You would still have the freedom to buy shit food. Fuck, let's just take this logic to its ultimate conclusion: charging for food is anti-freedom.

You charge for food based on several circumstances usually related to supply and demand. A tax on the food based on an arbitrary analysis of its nutritional value is much different.

Funny in one argument you say McDonalds is evil for selling "cheap" food even thought it isn't all that cheap because it targets the poor. Then you say that taxing that unhealthy food is fine. If McDonalds charged $20 a combo would you see it the same way?

you get a pretty good reconstituted meat product. Awesome!

So why don't you just say you're opposed to ground red meat? It would make this debate a whole lot easier to conduct.

Edited September 12, 2011 by Boges

[Black Dog]

rabble rabble rabble

So why don't you just say you're opposed to ground red meat? It would make this debate a whole lot easier to conduct.

I'm simply trying to figure out what your beef is with this column, which is pretty much one person's opinion that you agree with for...well, we're still not too sure. But Mallick's a lefty and a one known for her provocative stances, so it's probably that you're outraged purely on reflex here.

[Boges]

I'm simply trying to figure out what your beef is with this column, which is pretty much one person's opinion that you agree with for...well, we're still not too sure. But Mallick's a lefty and a one known for her provocative stances, so it's probably that you're outraged purely on reflex here.

I'm fully aware of the arguments about health and food and sustainability of what we eat and how our portion sizes are too large.

But to say business decisions by McDonald's is a large contributing factors to the problems we may face is totally wrong-headed.

It's an anti-capitalist column veiled as a pro-health column.

[Black Dog]

I'm fully aware of the arguments about health and food and sustainability of what we eat and how our portion sizes are too large.

But to say business decisions by McDonald's is a large contributing factors to the problems we may face is totally wrong-headed.

It's an anti-capitalist column veiled as a pro-health column.

Where does she do that? Here?

We chose to eat at burger joints. They’re part of the reason Canadians have grown wider and heavier in the past 30 years, Type 2 diabetes is on the rise and fully 61 per cent of us are overweight or obese by StatsCan measures (note that these are not the sometimes-used “self-reported” numbers). Previously this might have been our funeral alone but health costs are soaring.

Ontarians are about to vote in an election that’s all about spending and yet we don’t discuss our own responsibility for expensive ill health.

Here?

Canadians are overweight. It is damaging our health. We can’t live this way, and won’t, because it is killing us prematurely.

Here?

Industrial food is bad for you. Try to eat locally grown delicious food. Eat less of it. Take the stairs occasionally.

There, would that kill you?

[scribblet]

Thoughts on this column?

I find this woman to be loathsome. This column smacks of some of the most anti-capitalism anti freedom sentiments I've ever heard.

Just typical Heather Malice LOL

Well, I'm middle-aged but it's not because I eat at McDonalds that I'm not at my 1964 weight. Who the hell cares what McDonalds does, we can all read and decide for ourselves what we want to eat, why blame a fast food joint for a person's poor choices. I like a burger now and then, maybe once a month, so what, it's the in thing to blame McDonalds et al for poor eating choices.

[Argus]

Just typical Heather Malice LOL

Well, I'm middle-aged but it's not because I eat at McDonalds that I'm not at my 1964 weight. Who the hell cares what McDonalds does, we can all read and decide for ourselves what we want to eat, why blame a fast food joint for a person's poor choices. I like a burger now and then, maybe once a month, so what, it's the in thing to blame McDonalds et al for poor eating choices.

Exactly. There is a certain proportion of people, let's politely call them losers, who don't have any self-discipline. Most of us can have a few beers, go and play a few card games or yank on some one armed bandits for a bit, and eat a burger without becoming an obese alcoholic with a gambling addiction. But some people are weak, and some people will just overdo ANYTHING that can be overdone, be it drugs, alcohol, fast foot, or whatever. Why should the rest of us be punished because of those people?

Personally, I don't eat at McDonalds much any more. I don't like their burgers, ironically. I prefer the ones at Kelseys, even if they are twice as expensive. They have better fries, for that matter.

[kimmy]

You've all missed the point. It is not that capitalism is bad. It is that people who eat at McDonalds are cultureless baboons, and in all likelihood Americans or American sympathizers. The point is, primarily, that Heather Mallick is better than you are.

Other ways in which Heather Mallick is better than you:

-she married a European

-lives in Canada's most urbane and cosmopolitan locale

-fake English accent

-works in academia

-supported by public funds; needn't sully herself with private enterprise or commerce

-...except when attempting to sell books, of course.

If you keep in mind the prime motivating force in Mallick's life-- her shame and self-loathing at having been born in a prairie hick town-- all of her writing can be readily put in its proper context.

-k

[dre]

Clearly the benefits of freedom are lost on the left.

Holy shit. What a mornic platitude.

[dre]

One change I WOULD like to see, is for restaurants to put nutritional information on the menus just like food in grocery stores has. Beyond that... It seems like a stretch to blame Macdonalds for Generation: USELESS being fat, lazy, and stupid.

[Shakeyhands]

Well, I happen to like McDonalds now and again. I sure hope McDonalds survives this "hit" piece unscathed. I sure do hate those people from that Goodless, urbane and cosmopolitan city! They should just shut it. Toronto... Blech!!!!

[Black Dog]

Just typical Heather Malice LOL

Well, I'm middle-aged but it's not because I eat at McDonalds that I'm not at my 1964 weight. Who the hell cares what McDonalds does, we can all read and decide for ourselves what we want to eat, why blame a fast food joint for a person's poor choices. I like a burger now and then, maybe once a month, so what, it's the in thing to blame McDonalds et al for poor eating choices.

Oh so you didn't read the column either?

[Boges]

One change I WOULD like to see, is for restaurants to put nutritional information on the menus just like food in grocery stores has. Beyond that... It seems like a stretch to blame Macdonalds for Generation: USELESS being fat, lazy, and stupid.

I venture to say most people who go to McDonalds throughout the day are working. Go there at 1pm and it's packed. I doubt those are lazy people that spend the rest of the day sitting at home playing their xbox.

Now perhaps they should be a cheapo like me and make a sandwich every night before work. But sometimes I don't feel like it and would prefer not to drop $11+ on something "healthy" even though it's been shown some salads you get at fast food establishments have as many calories as the burgers.

And a lot of times it's mom's who let their kids eat a happy meal and work it off in the jungle gym they have there, so they can get some peace. Sue them!

I don't think anyone who orders a burger thinks it's healthy. But there are plenty worse things to eat. Usually it's around 1,200 - 1,500 calories. Now some will say that's too much but who are you to say? It is if you eat it every day but who really eats McDonald's everyday? And if they do I venture to say they are fat. But is that the vast majority of McDonald's patrons? If it was just fat lazy people that went there I doubt they'd be so successful.

[dre]

I venture to say most people who go to McDonalds throughout the day are working. Go there at 1pm and it's packed. I doubt those are lazy people that spend the rest of the day sitting at home playing their xbox.

Now perhaps they should be a cheapo like me and make a sandwich every night before work. But sometimes I don't feel like it and would prefer not to drop $11+ on something "healthy" even though it's been shown some salads you get at fast food establishments have as many calories as the burgers.

And a lot of times it's mom's who let their kids eat a happy meal and work it off in the jungle gym they have there, so they can get some peace. Sue them!

I don't think anyone who orders a burger thinks it's healthy. But there are plenty worse things to eat. Usually it's around 1,200 - 1,500 calories. Now some will say that's too much but who are you to say? It is if you eat it every day but who really eats McDonald's everyday? And if they do I venture to say they are fat. But is that the vast majority of McDonald's patrons? If it was just fat lazy people that went there I doubt they'd be so successful.

Now some will say that's too much but who are you to say?

Like I said... if its 1500 then put it on the box, and on the menu. The most important part of making good food choices is that the information is disclosed to you.

Restaurants should have the same rules as Grocers.

[Boges]

Like I said... if its 1500 then put it on the box, and on the menu. The most important part of making good food choices is that the information is disclosed to you.

Restaurants should have the same rules as Grocers.

I do believe at McDonalds the calorie count is on the box and on the back of the place mat, I think that's satisfactory.

Do you really want it to be in big bold type on the board?

[scribblet]

Damn - No - not when I want to have a secret munch on one of them LOL