Super-Size Me

[eggwards]

On OutQ in the morning, they referenced a story that says McDonald's, under lawsuit pressure from idiots looking for a buck, will phase out "Super-Size" fries and drinks.

Of course, this is another instance were a lawsuit has created an air that the average American can't make decisions for themselves. We are so swayed by these companies and their larger fry portions that we can't control ourselves! "Oh, government, please come in and help us, because we are to stupid to choose food for our selves, and I need some cash."

So now we have McDonald's self-regulating, denying our access to Super-Size fries. I remember they tested "Gigantic" size fries here in Houston, where they would fill a 48 oz. cup full of fries. The didn't do to well. Sometimes, too much is just too much. The people have spoken.

Of course, it's a win-win for McDonald's. They look like they're being responsible, concerned about their customer's growing waistlines (because they are sheep, you know), but they'll also sell more fries as those still left wanting more will just buy another order of them. Of corse they might sell one of those horrible baked apple pies instead.

Look, McDonald's has to look like their responding to the lawsuits, even though they haven't actually gone to trial. it's the court of public opinion, but in the long run PEOPLE have to take some responsibility for what they do with your life. Wow, you eat at McDonald's and you find that the food is unhealthy. BIG SURPRISE!

Buck up folks. Everyone needs to grow a little bit thicker skin. Please pass the fries.

Comments

[furmuslbulk.livejournal.com]

Well Americans have gotten WAY fat in the past 20 years. Have you seen what ONE muffin looks like now? It's probably the size of three muffins 20 years ago. And a large soda has also increased greatly in size.

I'm glad McDonalds is doing this. They are just going back to more sane portion sizes, wich is a good thing. If people want more fries they wil actually have to ORDER 2 servings fo fries, and not be able to say "but I just had one order!"

I have also been noticing that a men's xl shirt has also gained in size. I used to be able to wear some xls, but some were too small. Now I NEVER find an XL that is too small for me, and I'm the same size as before!

[t8r.livejournal.com]

I think the lawsuits are ridiculous, but I really have to question the (a)morality of a company that sells products it knows are harmful. Truly, corporations exhibit psychopathic behavior.

[jdvsqz.livejournal.com]

48 oz. cup full of fries???

Did it come with shot glasses of ketchup?

[clauditorium.livejournal.com]

I wonder if you've heard of a documentary called Super-size Me. It follows the filmmaker as he eats nothing but McDonalds products for one month and documents the (apparently scary) results.

[kev-bot.livejournal.com]

Three things:

1) Is it bad that all the actual news I get about the world comes from (a) the AOL front page, (b) VH1's The Best Week EVER!, and (c) your CNN hyperlinks?

2) Please please PLEASE send me "McDonald's Girl"!!!

3) I honestly read your last lines as this: Bulk up folks. Everyone needs to grow a little bit thicker. Please pass the fries.

[davomatic.livejournal.com]

I like their pies. Pies are good. I'd super-size the pies if I could. Really.

[mattycub.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Ok, I'm as much against frivilous law suits as you are. And I agree that the breakdown of personal responsibility in this country is a huge problem.

But.

We have a growing health problem on our hands here in this country wuth obesity, that if left unchecked will have grave consequences for coming generations. I think that part of the blame for that lies with the food corporations pushing unhealthy products in ridiculous portion sizes onto the public with massive advertising campaigns and marketing clout. True, individuals need to take responsibility for their own choices. But the corporate driven, media saturated world in which we live in certainly puts a lot of psychic pressure on those individuals to make decisions that may be great for the bottom line but not so great for the individual in the long run, or society as a whole for that matter. While not a big fan of dumb lawsuits of government micro-regulations, I think that something certainly needs to be done and corporations aren't going to necessarily address the problem if they don't think it's in their best financial interest. Perhaps a few lawsuits and threats of government intervention will help provide that incentive.