McDonalds is healthy?

[jaffacakes1]

Anyone fancy starting a Pret a Manger.

 

Now this is it.

 

Why, in this ghastly day and age of brutally fast convenience fed lifestyles can't someone build a fast food franchise that only sells really healthy food?

 

I think it's the future.

Agreed. I think unfortunately with perhaps the exception of Sushi or a noodle broth healthy food just isn't tasty enough to compete. Certain Pret and Subway sandwiches tried this healthy fast food spin but then it was revealed that certain sandwiches and salads contained more calories than burgers. At the same time in the West we view the fast food joints as dirty downmarket food, within Asia these are aspirational, cool brands associated with Western prosperity. The growth in China particularly has been phenomenal.

It is a funny old world.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[StreetCowboy]

Anyone fancy starting a Pret a Manger.

Now this is it.

Why, in this ghastly day and age of brutally fast convenience fed lifestyles can't someone build a fast food franchise that only sells really healthy food?

I think it's the future.

Subway? If you don;t like calories. then eat less. Better still, don't eat, and my queue will be shorter. I like Koshinoya as well, especially their miso soup.

Edited October 23, 2013 by StreetCowboy

[MJP]

Anyone fancy starting a Pret a Manger.

Now this is it.

Why, in this ghastly day and age of brutally fast convenience fed lifestyles can't someone build a fast food franchise that only sells really healthy food?

I think it's the future.

Agreed. I think unfortunately with perhaps the exception of Sushi or a noodle broth healthy food just isn't tasty enough to compete. Certain Pret and Subway sandwiches tried this healthy fast food spin but then it was revealed that certain sandwiches and salads contained more calories than burgers. At the same time in the West we view the fast food joints as dirty downmarket food, within Asia these are aspirational, cool brands associated with Western prosperity. The growth in China particularly has been phenomenal.

It is a funny old world.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Where's Jamie Oliver when you need him?

[jaffacakes1]

Probably saying something colossally stupid

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[rgs2001uk]

Anyone fancy starting a Pret a Manger.

Now this is it.

Why, in this ghastly day and age of brutally fast convenience fed lifestyles can't someone build a fast food franchise that only sells really healthy food?

I think it's the future.

Subway? If you don;t like calories. then eat less. Better still, don't eat, and my queue will be shorter. I like Koshinoya as well, especially their miso soup.

Subway (rot fai tai din) that why I take the BTS (rot fia fa) these days, the queues are much shorter.

Personally I prefer minestrone soup, or mulligatawny.

Edited October 23, 2013 by rgs2001uk

[soomak]

a few people have talked about how its not any worse than street food and the like and i agree. about 1 or 2 times a year i get a "big mac attack" and break down and get a combo. there is nothing wrong with the occasional trip there in my opinion.

i dont think they should be able to claim that their products are healthy any more than cigarette companies can/should. if people choose to eat there than that is their choice much like alcohol or tobacco.

Except that cigarettes and alcohol have an age limit (even in Thailand), while McDonald's food is served to young kids.

And cigarettes packs here in Thailand have these disgusting photos of terrible diseases printed over them.

Governments interfere with what you can put into your body, and at what age. They don't yet interfere with fast foods, but they will (even in New York you can see the beginning of this trend).

[Habs]

Want to be obese and unhealthy keep eating all that fast food crap!!!

[StreetCowboy]

 

Anyone fancy starting a Pret a Manger.

Now this is it.

Why, in this ghastly day and age of brutally fast convenience fed lifestyles can't someone build a fast food franchise that only sells really healthy food?

I think it's the future.

Subway? If you don;t like calories. then eat less. Better still, don't eat, and my queue will be shorter. I like Koshinoya as well, especially their miso soup.

Subway (rot fai tai din) that why I take the BTS (rot fia fa) these days, the queues are much shorter.

Personally I prefer minestrone soup, or mulligatawny.

 

I've got a tin of white haddock soup to look forward to for my lunch today. I can't be bothered with the clear dishwater that Chinese restaurants pass off as soup. I do miss my Taiwanese beef noodle soup, though.

What I like about the rot fai fa is that they just keep trains running. They don't try to be big or clever, they just run the trains. And they still manage continuous improvement, with the new linkways, and so forth. Are the platform gates installed at Siam yet?

Personally, I think that McDonalds appeals to a universal "lowest common denominator" in terms of taste, which is why it is so sucessful in foreign cultures, and so popular with children. Also, they have outstanding quality management that delivers a remarkably consistent product throughout the world. Hats off to them I say, for running a successful and efficient business, and delivering a product that people want to buy.

SC

[robblok]

Its simple most people don't care about their health especially the older expats here. They can get female company easy even if obese and dressing bad as long as their wallet is equally fat. So there really is no incentive to eat healthy (except for subway / vietnamese vegetable food / sushi) most healthy food does not taste as good. Ad to that the fact that most people don't like to exercise around 3 hours a week as recommended you get obese people. The fact that Mc D is trying to push its food as healthy is real bad.

The Thais aren't that much better as the foreigners.. my wifes youngest sister around 1.60 weighs in at 95 kg. One other sister has a young son around 10 weighing in at the same weight a true health hazard. Whenever I ask if they aren't afraid for diabetics or other weight related diseases they laugh and eat more fried food.

Its a loosing battle so I don't fight it I just take care of my own body and make sure I never get back to the overweight guy I once was. Everyone can do it if they are properly motivated and have the willpower (unless stupid / underlying medical condition / too poor to buy healthy food as healthy food is more expensive). There are a few people who can eat and drink what they want but others like me have to watch it. In the end its a choice do you drink that beer or not do you eat that stuff or not. Nobody forces you.. but it still hard but certainly not impossible.

[lovetotravel]

Want to be obese and unhealthy keep eating all that fast food crap!!!

Exactly. Whether Thai, British, Mexican, American or whatever. It's just not good for you.

I'd love fish and chips tonight. Or cheeseburger and fries. Well, it's chicken soup with pumpkin and veggies. OK. Having that with a beer. Ya gotta have a little bit of fun.

[Jingthing]

...

Its a loosing battle so I don't fight it I just take care of my own body and make sure I never get back to the overweight guy I once was. Everyone can do it if they are properly motivated and have the willpower (unless stupid / underlying medical condition / too poor to buy healthy food as healthy food is more expensive). There are a few people who can eat and drink what they want but others like me have to watch it. In the end its a choice do you drink that beer or not do you eat that stuff or not. Nobody forces you.. but it still hard but certainly not impossible.

To suggest the global obesity epidemic is only about will power is simply ridiculous. A POV more fit to a morality preacher than a modern SCIENTIST. Scientists who actually know something about obesity would never suggest that will power is any kind of panacea or that the explanation for so many fat people now can be boiled down to their "weak" will power.

People who are seriously interested in reversing the global epidemic of obesity are way beyond the morality lectures, knowing for a fact such simple mindedness is no long term solution at all for the vast majority of obese people.

I respond to these specious "will power" morality arguments because they are actually harmful. They don't provide a solution but only ammunition to make harsh judgments about fat people (who already are often socially stigmatized and isolated). Following the simplistic morality message -- society (and medical science) doesn't need to fight a very complex problem, we can shove it under the rug by believing it's all their own fault. This is especially unfair to obese children and the potential obese children which more rational and enlightened approaches might prevent.

Saying that behavior is simply a function of willpower (“The strength of will to carry out one’s decisions, wishes, or plans”) is way too simplistic.

It doesn’t take into account all the other factors that ultimately determine what we do and when we do it. Most people’s willpower crumbles under the force of other signals, both internal and external.

http://authoritynutrition.com/10-causes-of-weight-gain/

BTW, I've been boycotting McDonalds for decades. I don't care if they serve salads. Overall they've been a bad food influence globally and I feel sorry they've become a symbol for America.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Jingthing

[transam]

When I read these topics I do laugh. ...........I watch some food progs on tele and cringe at so called hi-so chefs serving up half cooked meat with blood still present in the middle. Cooking stuff with buckets of butter, oh, just add a little seasoning, to see the concoction covered in ''snow''. ...........

Stuff my family eats really is all pig fat, sugar and salt. I don't touch any of it, but l like a Bigmac now and again, certainly more healthy than the stuff my lot eat.

[arthurwait]

Anyone fancy starting a Pret a Manger.

Now this is it.

Why, in this ghastly day and age of brutally fast convenience fed lifestyles can't someone build a fast food franchise that only sells really healthy food?

I think it's the future.

Agreed. I think unfortunately with perhaps the exception of Sushi or a noodle broth healthy food just isn't tasty enough to compete. Certain Pret and Subway sandwiches tried this healthy fast food spin but then it was revealed that certain sandwiches and salads contained more calories than burgers. At the same time in the West we view the fast food joints as dirty downmarket food, within Asia these are aspirational, cool brands associated with Western prosperity. The growth in China particularly has been phenomenal.

It is a funny old world.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Where's Jamie Oliver when you need him?

Making money from recipe books full of high fat food while ranting about macdonalds. Oh and having liposuction on his tongue.

[StreetCowboy]

...

Its a loosing battle so I don't fight it I just take care of my own body and make sure I never get back to the overweight guy I once was. Everyone can do it if they are properly motivated and have the willpower (unless stupid / underlying medical condition / too poor to buy healthy food as healthy food is more expensive). There are a few people who can eat and drink what they want but others like me have to watch it. In the end its a choice do you drink that beer or not do you eat that stuff or not. Nobody forces you.. but it still hard but certainly not impossible.

To suggest the global obesity epidemic is only about will power is simply ridiculous. A POV more fit to a morality preacher than a modern SCIENTIST. Scientists who actually know something about obesity would never suggest that will power is any kind of panacea or that the explanation for so many fat people now can be boiled down to their "weak" will power.

People who are seriously interested in reversing the global epidemic of obesity are way beyond the morality lectures, knowing for a fact such simple mindedness is no long term solution at all for the vast majority of obese people.

I respond to these specious "will power" morality arguments because they are actually harmful. They don't provide a solution but only ammunition to make harsh judgments about fat people (who already are often socially stigmatized and isolated). Following the simplistic morality message -- society (and medical science) doesn't need to fight a very complex problem, we can shove it under the rug by believing it's all their own fault. This is especially unfair to obese children and the potential obese children which more rational and enlightened approaches might prevent.

Saying that behavior is simply a function of willpower (“The strength of will to carry out one’s decisions, wishes, or plans”) is way too simplistic.

It doesn’t take into account all the other factors that ultimately determine what we do and when we do it. Most people’s willpower crumbles under the force of other signals, both internal and external.

http://authoritynutrition.com/10-causes-of-weight-gain/

BTW, I've been boycotting McDonalds for decades. I don't care if they serve salads. Overall they've been a bad food influence globally and I feel sorry they've become a symbol for America.

Is your boycott having much of an impact on their business?

SC

[Jingthing]

Is your boycott having much of an impact on their business?

SC

Of course not.

I just don't like what that company symbolizes so I don't want to give them any of my money.

It annoys me that worldwide so many people think McDonalds represents American food, when it's just cheap crappy fast food. Sure many people live on that but it's an unfair representation the richness of American food culture.

[robblok]

...

Its a loosing battle so I don't fight it I just take care of my own body and make sure I never get back to the overweight guy I once was. Everyone can do it if they are properly motivated and have the willpower (unless stupid / underlying medical condition / too poor to buy healthy food as healthy food is more expensive). There are a few people who can eat and drink what they want but others like me have to watch it. In the end its a choice do you drink that beer or not do you eat that stuff or not. Nobody forces you.. but it still hard but certainly not impossible.

To suggest the global obesity epidemic is only about will power is simply ridiculous. A POV more fit to a morality preacher than a modern SCIENTIST. Scientists who actually know something about obesity would never suggest that will power is any kind of panacea or that the explanation for so many fat people now can be boiled down to their "weak" will power.

People who are seriously interested in reversing the global epidemic of obesity are way beyond the morality lectures, knowing for a fact such simple mindedness is no long term solution at all for the vast majority of obese people.

I respond to these specious "will power" morality arguments because they are actually harmful. They don't provide a solution but only ammunition to make harsh judgments about fat people (who already are often socially stigmatized and isolated). Following the simplistic morality message -- society (and medical science) doesn't need to fight a very complex problem, we can shove it under the rug by believing it's all their own fault. This is especially unfair to obese children and the potential obese children which more rational and enlightened approaches might prevent.

Saying that behavior is simply a function of willpower (“The strength of will to carry out one’s decisions, wishes, or plans”) is way too simplistic.

It doesn’t take into account all the other factors that ultimately determine what we do and when we do it. Most people’s willpower crumbles under the force of other signals, both internal and external.

http://authoritynutrition.com/10-causes-of-weight-gain/

BTW, I've been boycotting McDonalds for decades. I don't care if they serve salads. Overall they've been a bad food influence globally and I feel sorry they've become a symbol for America.

Saying it has nothing to do with willpower is stupid. Many of the other signals you control, and when you see overweight people eating unhealthy food then you see the cause. We can argue till we turn blue but you get fat because you consume too much and consume bad stuff. If people really want to do something about it then they can.

You are advocating that there is no free will in this process, good luck with that. That means they can market anything and people will eat it. Ever wondered why smart people are generally not as much overweight as their less intelligent counterparts. Because they don't let the signals rule them and find ways around them.

Never mind not going into this with the defender of fatties.

Edited October 24, 2013 by robblok

[transam]

Is your boycott having much of an impact on their business?

SC

Of course not.

I just don't like what that company symbolizes so I don't want to give them any of my money.

It annoys me that worldwide so many people think McDonalds represents American food, when it's just cheap crappy fast food. Sure many people live on that but it's an unfair representation the richness of American food culture.

Nobody gives a shit about where a Bigmac came from, same as a Kebab, curry from all corners of Asia, it's what folk decide they want to eat. McD's has done well cos folk like it. Simple really.

[Prbkk]

They are selling disease and premature death ( but so too is just about every other fast food mega bucks company).

[StreetCowboy]

Is your boycott having much of an impact on their business?

SC

Of course not.

I just don't like what that company symbolizes so I don't want to give them any of my money.

It annoys me that worldwide so many people think McDonalds represents American food, when it's just cheap crappy fast food. Sure many people live on that but it's an unfair representation the richness of American food culture.

I think McDonals represents American culture - mass production, consumerism, the power of big business and consistency across the country and the world. It's the coca cola of restaurants.

SC

[transam]

They are selling disease and premature death ( but so too is just about every other fast food mega bucks company).

Perhaps you should research the gastro cancer epidemic with Japanese folk. Not due to McD's.

[MJP]

Liposuction on his tongue?

I've got great new business plan for any Doc's out there. Drive-thru gastric banding. It's surely a winner.

[Jingthing]

I never said will power was not a factor. Just not the only factor im a highly complex epidemic.

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[robblok]

I never said will power was not a factor. Just not the only factor im a highly complex epidemic.

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Of course its not the only factor, education and availability of healthy foods are 2 important ones too.

Fact bad food is in general appetizing and easily available, the same can not be said of healthy food.

Certain foods make you eat more and are extra bad for you, education can help you find out what ones those are.

Thing is I just don't go for the its all outside factors and the subject is totally innocent theory. He is the one that puts it in his or her mouth.

Now if you don't know any better or don't have money to get any better then I understand it completely. (you is not you JT)

But most of us have a pretty good idea of what is bad and have the money to buy better food.

[Jingthing]

I never said will power was not a factor. Just not the only factor im a highly complex epidemic.

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Of course its not the only factor, education and availability of healthy foods are 2 important ones too.

...

Then why did you falsely state that I said it was the only factor?

Then you called me an interesting name: defender of the fatties. So the "fatties" have broken the law or something and need defending?

You walk in your shoes alone. One person can't know know the experience -- medical and social of the hundreds of millions of obese people in the world.

The people to look for in cases like this for authoritative information are actual medical specialists in obesity, not the anecdotal chip on the shoulder of one who has succeeded against overweight (not even obesity?) and then seems to project an air of moral superiority over ALL of those who have not similarly succeeded (the vast majority of fat people actually). The consensus of actual experts is that will power is important but NOT ENOUGH, not enough to reverse the global obesity epidemic, where the vast majority of obese people fail to EVER succeed in long term success (five years at normal weight after obesity) despite a lifetime of trying very hard.

You know, fat people need education (not being educated is not the same thing as

"stupidity"), help from government policies, help from doctors, help from the food industry, help from friends and family, help from new scientific advances, and of course the motivation for action needs to come from themselves.

The morbidly obese need ... surgery (sadly!).

So I'm the defender of fatties? OK. Fine. I can live with that. Better than being a person attacking an entire class of humanity unfairly.

If you see a random fat person on the street and think, it's all their fault, that's being BIGOTED.

It's really no different than a person who is bigoted against a racial group seeing a random member of that race and assuming that person possesses a negative stereotype about that race.

They might. Someone else who isn't that race might. But you don't KNOW.

This link address the moral question of judging the morality of random fat people we encounter in life:

Is it right or wrong to condemn people for being obese? Obviously, obese and morbidly obese people have made mistakes in their lives. Are they morally culpable for those mistakes? How should other people judge their characters? If I see an obese person on the street, should I infer that he is lazy and unmotivated? Should I refuse to hire an obese person because I suspect he won't work as hard as a non-obese person? Is obesity a moral failing – or are there other considerations?

http://www.philosophyinaction.com/archive/2013-04-14-Q1.html

Edited October 24, 2013 by Jingthing

[TheSpade]

you either eat at expensive restaurants, or cook for yourself at home.

If I want to eat healthy I don't do either of those.

I stock up on salad from the Tops salad bar and eat it with grilled chicken on pork. I buy cooked pumpkin, sweet potato and sweetcorn on the streets for snacks and eat fresh fruit from the fruit stalls.

Cheap and healthy enough.

[Jingthing]

you either eat at expensive restaurants, or cook for yourself at home.

If I want to eat healthy I don't do either of those.

I stock up on salad from the Tops salad bar and eat it with grilled chicken on pork. I buy cooked pumpkin, sweet potato and sweetcorn on the streets for snacks and eat fresh fruit from the fruit stalls.

Cheap and healthy enough.

That sounds OK but most people would become bored with that. I agree that for most people cooking yourself is very beneficial because you can be in complete control over the ingredients. Restaurants are generally interested in pleasing your palate, not your health profile.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Jingthing

[TheSpade]

I can't do it every day for weeks on end but if I feel like I need a health kick then it does the trick.

[Jingthing]

I think McDonals represents American culture - mass production, consumerism, the power of big business and consistency across the country and the world. It's the coca cola of restaurants.

SC

It represents mainstream American DEATH culture.

That's not the whole story though.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Jingthing

[MJP]

All the Americans I know (a lot and half my family are American), would never contemplate entering a McDonalds "restaurant", a KFC, BK . . . take your pick.

[AYJAYDEE]

All the Americans I know (a lot and half my family are American), would never contemplate entering a McDonalds "restaurant", a KFC, BK . . . take your pick.

The slow insidious displacement of home cooked and communally shared family meals by the industrial food system has fattened our nation and weakened our family ties. In 1900, 2 percent of meals were eaten outside the home. In 2010, 50 percent were eaten away from home and one in five breakfasts is from McDonald's.