Reality Check
In case you haven’t heard, the Double Down from KFC is going to kill us all. One sandwich to kill you all – SFGate Yup. Be afraid people. We are all DOOMED!!!!!!!! Yeah, right. A chicken sandwich without a bun is suddenly the catalyst to Armageddon. AUGH!!!!!!!
Look, I’m not going to defend KFC. Their chicken farming methods are deplorable to say the least. They tend to flavor their salt with bits of food. But folks, it’s time for a little reality check here. The Double Down has 2 pieces of fried or grilled chicken with 2 strips of bacon and 2 slices of cheese. There is also something called a special sauce. The fried version kicks in at around 550 cal, 32 grams of fat, while the grilled has 460 cal and 23 grams of fat. A Double Quarter Pounder from McDonald’s has 740 cal with 42 grams of fat. And the chicken sandwich at Burger King, the Tender Crisp comes in at 800 cal, 48 grams of fat. Now, lest we totally vilify fast food places, TGI Friday’s Sizzling Chicken and Cheese is 620 cal, 32 grams fat.
Even given all this, the news media and the food blogs are all fired up over the Double Down, apparently a manifestation of the devil himself. On the Minneapolis St. Paul web site, even Andrew Zimmern chimed in. Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Chow & Again
Why all the hate? Is America overweight? You bet, and so am I for that matter. And here’s a little secret for you, I rarely eat at a fast food place. Maybe once a month. And yet I’m overweight. But..but…but….I hear all the stammering going on. But, fast food is the reason we are all fat! Surely you see that? Horse-pucks. It’s simple. I know why I am overweight. Portion control. I eat too much food. I love food. I love all kinds. And it shows. Bottom line.
So why do I care what people like Mark Morford or Andrew Zimmern write? Grab a quick sandwich and I’ll tell you. How many times have you seen Andrew eat lardo? Granted, he usually tells us that it’s fattening, (No kidding. It’s cured fat. Wow. News flash) but then he goes on to say how good it is. How many times have we seen any of these Food Network and Travel Channel folks dine on Foie Gras? Do I even need to go into how unhealthy that is?
Perspective people. Perspective. Trust me, there are many many reasons why Americans are getting fatter. Please don’t attempt to try and point a finger at one little concoction from KFC. Oh, and to those that turn up their noses at the Double Down as some horrible food item? Think for a moment. It’s breaded chicken, a pork product and cheese with a sauce. Last time I checked, Chicken Cordon Bleu was still made with breaded chicken surrounding ham and swiss cheese, then pan fried and finished with a nice sauce.
I guess it’s all in the name. Maybe KFC should have called it Poulet Sans Baguette.
Gregor
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