Super Size Me: 4 Blancos

The Yog and I just saw "Super Size Me" in our very own mini-theater. It was an excellent documentary (in the Michael Moore sense of the term, anyway) on the fast food industry's effect on obesity.

Some glaring points I take from the movie:

Firstly, fast food restaurants *are* corporations. They don't care about your health, unless people stop buying their food because of it. They care about money. And whatever it takes to sell, it will sell.

Does Subway care about our health? No. Are they healthier? Assuredly, yes. But, it's not because they care, it's because they know they can use health in their marketing campaign. Does this serve to benefit us? Yes. The more healthy (literally) competition in the marketplace, the better. Is Subway *intending* to benefit us? No.

Secondly, what our schools serve in the cafeterias is an OUTRAGE. Kids are stockpiling on sugar. Every option is lousy. And, for once it seems, I can say that this IS how it was when I was in school. Why, in the one place where attention levels must be highest (we can get away with it in our workplaces because the work presumably interests us), do we provide the worst food for keeping that level high?

One of the most interesting parts of the movie is when they show the schools with alternative eating plans...and the effect it has. While it remains to be clarified just how they actually compare, I don't see a reason why we shouldn't try this plan. Seeing as, no matter what, IT IS HEALTHIER.

I love movies like this. People will rant and rave and argue and complain that "it's biased!" People do that with Michael Moore, and while I agree Mr. Moore is not the best when it comes to delivering his point -- you have to look at the facts. Granted, most people will find it easier to side against the fast food industry, but you need to take the facts and look at the movie and see what's really going on.

I don't blame the fast food industry. They're out to make a buck. it is US who feeds THEM. We must resist. Just like the tabloids we all complain about (paparazzi), bad Hollywood movies, reality TV, whiny children, politicians...we enable it. If you don't like it, do something about it.

If you're against the outsourcing of jobs, take a stand. Get a list of companies that are strictly US-based and switch your allegiance to them. Maybe it's not convenient...in some cases, that's fine. But, if you change, say, your cereal preference, your gas preference, your department store preference...jut a few things...you'll make an impact!

Yes, I will make this a New Year's Resolution. I want to support the US. I want to hurt outsourcers. I'll see what can be done.

Anyway, I strongly recommend the movie. They did a very good job with it. Poor guy is in bad shape by the end of it! No, you likely don't eat at McDonald's 3 times a day. But, it's been proven how BAD it can be. And, if the guy can gain 25 pounds (and that's just net weight, it doesn't count lost muscle, etc.) by eating 90 McDonalds' meals, do the math and see what eating, say, 10, in a month may do. :-)