Amidst the frenzy of America’s more health-conscious and green-going self-conscious state, it makes perfect sense that consumers would demand healthier options from restaurants and fast food establishments across the country. This movement towards healthier product development has been in effect for some time. Low carb and/or fat alternatives to traditional fast food meals have held their place on overhanging menus at McDonalds and Burger Kings ever since the Atkins diet gained popularity in the early 2000’s. Even after the Atkins Nutritional company folded, many fast food chains have catered to the dieting needs of consumers who followed other tweaked versions of the famous weight-loss system.
However, in watching recent television advertisements, I’ve noticed a reemergence of shameless, more-is-better menu items at popular fast food joints. Ever since the public pushed for these restaurants to publish nutritional facts in more conspicuous locations, it’s been no secret that few–if any–of the items on their lists are actually “healthy” choices. My concern comes from the fact that many of the same chains that had once made attempts to present a health-conscious front have reverted to the Hardee’s Thickburger product model. That’s the, “beefy middle finger to your heart and liver” stance–without the decency of, at a minimum, misleading appearances or a clever marketing strategy.
Let me show you.
KFC's new Double Down "sandwich."
Yup, that’s a chicken filet+KFC sauce+bacon+cheese+cheese+chicken filet combination coming straight to your right ventricle April 12th. It is advertised as the world’s first “bunless” sandwich, but in reality, its 540 calories of unattractive meat, zesty mayo, and meat will most likely hit those buns first. I guess KFC had to find a way to get rid of their new over-sized chicken nugget boneless filets quickly–by the two’s. Next:
Burger King's new Steakhouse XT
I can’t help but think of the Mondo burger from Keenan and Kel’s breakout performance in Goodburger. And to think; those burgers were infused with shark poison to make them as tasty as they were. Good thing this colossus is only packed with 950 calories instead. The XT is only outdone by:
Hardee's Monster Thickburger
1,320 calories of pure regret. Enough said.
These three choices are only a few of the more absurd sandwiches flavoring fast food menus across the country. One need only to visit a few websites and skim nutrition facts to find the more subtle–but equally unhealthy–food choices. If the stuff-your-face-and-deal-with-the-consequences-later trend of food consumption is truly back on the rise, so be it. I hope that the average American is sensible, and these types of products will only raise awareness concerning the importance of a healthy diet once again.
Meanwhile, somebody needs to opt for McDonald’s “healthy” alternative and tell me if this thing tastes as disgusting as it looks…. because it doesn’t seem to be going away.
Mac Snack Wrap
Ephemorandum 