March 10, 2010
Join the conversation with Dining Editor Mary Brown Malouf
02/02/10
08:57 AM
On the Table

Bad choices.

By Mary Brown Malouf
02/02/10 - 08:57 AM
Bad choices.

Sheesh.

The NY Times summed up America’s messedup-attitude towards food in its headline this weekend:
“Forget Jenny Craig. Hit the Drive-Thru.”

Oh just kill me. Really? These are the choices? What is wrong with American appetites? and palates? Doesn't anyone else get grossed out  by this stuff?

The article is looking at the new Drive-thru Diet plans of fast food outlets like Taco Bell’s Fresco menu which features, for instance, burritos with only 9 grams of fat. As opposed to their (who would really order this) “Stuft” burrito.

“Dunkin’ Donuts sells egg-white sandwiches. Quiznos offers a 500-calorie-and-under menu. Starbucks has panini sandwiches with 400 calories or less.”

Of course, there are always hidden dangers: one nutritionist points out that a chicken burrito from TB’s low-cal Fresco menu may contain as much as 1400 grams of sodium. Another expert worries that the caloric and nutritional values of fast foods may not be entirely accurate, anyway. So they all advise being very careful eating any fast food—treat menus like a mine field.

I say, if you’re going to go to all that stress and trouble to eat at a drive-thru restaurant, why not take the easy way out and just eat fresh food???        

Stop at a grocery store instead of a drive-thru. Do you really need a tuna salad KIT from Jenny Craig????

Make a peanut butter sandwich. Cheese and crackers.

It's cheaper. Tastier. Better for you. And not disgusting.





 

Reader Comments:
Feb 2, 2010 11:01 am
 Posted by  Anonymous

Totally agree Ms. Malouf. Have you had a chance to read Michael Pollan's new book 'Food Rules' yet? Same exact principles. What is the deal with America's eating habits??

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About This Blog

A lack of serious ambition, a love of cooking and a degree in Latin naturally led to a career in food writing for Mary Brown Malouf.

Her 25 years of experience has included stints as executive editor of D magazine in Dallas, Texas; executive editor at wine.com in Napa, California; and restaurant critic for The Salt Lake Tribune.

Now, she’s the dining editor for Salt Lake magazine, where she writes about the food scene in Salt Lake City and beyond. Check in regularly for the latest restaurant news, great products from local purveyors, and conversation about all things gustatory.

If you have news, tips or other information about the dining scene you'd like to share, email Mary.

 

 

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