The Fast Food Arms Race

Since KFC first released their Double Down Chicken Sandwich -which I may add was inspiration for the change in direction for my blog - it seems that every fast food joint has been calling to their R&D departments to create an even bigger, calorie-laden, heart-stopping, mega-sandwich. Well, first to step up to the plate is Friendly's Grilled Cheese Burger Melt.

v.

(Which would you rather eat?)

Try not to quake in fear people, 'tis only a sandwich. But lo and behold it is not just any sandwich. The nutritional facts are as follows:
1 Serving = 1  Sandwich
1500 Calories
97 grams of fat
2,090 mg sodium

It's gotten to the extent that McDonald's, former fast food evil empire, is producing food that could be perceived as good for you, relatively speaking of course. For example, the Big Mac, long perceived as the monster of all burgers, is a David compared to these Goliaths.

Nutritional value per serving
Serving size	1 sandwich
Energy	540 kcal (2,300 kJ)
Carbohydrates	47 g (16%)
Sugars	8 g
Dietary fiber	3 g (14%)
Fat	30 g (47%)
saturated	10 g (52%)
Protein	25 g (45%)
Vitamin A	120 IU
Vitamin C	2 mg (3%)
Calcium	250 mg (25%)
Iron	2 mg (16%)
Sodium	1010 mg (44%)
Energy from fat	270 kcal (1,100 kJ)
Cholesterol	80 mg (26%)
Ingredients	Beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, "special sauce" (a variation of Thousand Island dressing), and a bun topped with sesame seeds

Further Investigation:
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-06-22-wtfood-friendlys-grilled-cheese-burgermelt/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/us-burger-joint-unleashes-1500-calorie-sandwich/article1613861/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/forget-healthy-kfcs-double-down-revels-in-glorious-gluttony/article1533502/

And just when I thought there was enough sin in this world...

This Is Why You're Fat, hold on to your asses. This one is so grotesque that I've been inspired to re-enter the blogosphere. Never have I experienced anything so offensive, at least since my trip to Lafashan, somewhere in Liaoning province a.k.a. bumblefuck, China.

Last night I was watching t.v. when a commercial came on for a sandwich, at least that is what it is called. "That just can't be," I exclaimed when the picture of the "food" was displayed across the screen. "Never in my life have I seen such a thing. Perhaps KFC is a little late on the April Fool's uptake." And just as suddenly as it appeared it disppeared and I dismissed it in the same way I dismiss my roommate's attempts to go to Yates1.

Then as I was reading the Huffington's Posts new food section, it appeared, just as suddenly, as frighteningly as it had the night before. This is no mere by-product of the KFC research and development dungeons. It's much more than that, a food phenomenon spitting in the face of Michelle Obama's campaign against Americans becoming by and large (pun most definitely intended) the worlds fattest fatties. I am so offended by this that I am considering writing a letter to KFC. I'm not sure who specifically right now, but it will be strongly worded, with lots of capitalized letters and exclamation points, because in the face of the unknown (this so-called sandwich), we as a society become fearful and angry. And right now, this sandwich scares me and makes me angry.

There is a phrase in Chinese that goes 苛政猛于虎, meaning a severe government is more ferocious than a tiger. In present times that phrase often goes 网毒猛于虎, meaning that the "internet drug" is more ferocious than a tiger, relating to the pervasiveness of internet addiction in modern Chinese society. I think in America the phrase, 食毒猛于虎, or the "food drug" is more ferocious than a tiger, is very applicable in these times and we are now experience one of its most ferocious manifestations.

End Notes:
1. Yates Field House is the gym at Georgetown University. My roommate has not cast as much as a shadow there since 2008.

For Further Reading

The KFC Double Down: One Sandwich to Kill You All

Michelle Obama's Obesity Plan: in the Nick of Time

Trends in Obesity in the US from 1999-2008

Obesity Trends by State and Race, 1999-2008