Friday, March 17, 2006 - Book Review: Fast Food Nation |
Fast Food Nation, by Eric
Schlosser, is the most recent book I've read. I never eat fast food, so
I'm not quite sure why this book interested me so much. I figured this
book would tell some pretty disgusting tales about the fast food
industry, but it wasn't as bad as I had originally imagined. Bad
enough, mind you, but just not what I thought it would be.
The most interesting chapter told about the risks of working in the
meatpacking plants that supply fast food burgers. This was written
before Mad Cow Disease made its appearance in the U.S., so e. coli was
the major problem at this time. I had never really contemplated the
dangers of working and cleaning in a meatpacking plant until I read
this book. But come to think of it, how could it not be risky with all
those sharp tools (knives, grinders, slicers, etc.) around.
Another interesting section told about the laboratories where
artificial and natural flavors are "created". Scientists actually
create flavors that taste natural (beef, apple, strawberry, etc.), but
are made from chemicals. Yuck. Care for a McNugget?
Overall, this book is obviously coming from a "lefty" perspective.
Schlosser was just as concerned about unions and the workers as
he was with food safety, and when he did address food safety, it was
along the lines of the government needing to do better.
I tend to think that the government, as messed up as it is, shouldn't
really have much of a role in regulating food safety (NAIS comes to
mind). Couldn't there be a private company that could certify certain
foods as being e-coli- or mad cow- free (or whatever). This would be
something like "certified organic". There are so many things that the
government messes up, and I think you could add this to the list. Am I
a Crunchy Con? (That's my next book: Crunchy
Cons: How Birkenstocked Burkeans, gun-loving organic gardeners,
evangelical free-range farmers, hip homeschooling mamas, right-wing
nature lovers, and their diverse tribe of countercultural conservatives
plan to save America (or at least the Republican Party), by Rod Dreher)
I would have liked to have heard more about the adverse effects fast
food has on your health, but I have heard that is covered pretty well
in the movie/documentary, Supersize Me! I haven't actually seen that movie yet (don't know if I will, either).
This book was very much worth reading, and I would recommend it.
Guess what? I still won't be eating fast food anytime soon.
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| • Post A Comment! |
Friday, March 17, 2006 - Interesting! |
| Posted by Snowberryfarm |
I just saw Supersize me last week. I don't eat fast food either, but this movie pretty much will make sure I never, ever will again! It was unbelievable how unhealthy that guy got in a matter of 30 days. It makes me sad to see so many Americans eating like this and not even thinking twice about what they are doing to themselves!
Michelle |
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Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - Hi |
| Posted by MyThreeDaughters |
Chicken nuggets was brought up on a show called "Jamie's school dinners" you would love that show. And take away food as we call it here, is brought up on "You Are What You Eat" and sometimes the lady is concerned the person of the day is going to get diabetes or a heart attack and she helps them out of their cycle with food. It is great. Both are British programs, but they have great websites and I beleive you are getting You Are What You Eat soon.
http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/J/jamies_school_dinners/fom/index.html
"Chicken nuggets
Cheap ones contain as little as 16% pulped chicken doctored with skin; water; proteins extracted from feathers, hide or bone; mechanically retrieved meat; salt; sugar; additives. Unscrupulous manufacturers use minced meat to disguise even worse contents: banned carcinogenic antibiotics, recycled pet food, and poultry treated with cattle protein have all turned up in chicken on its way to the fast-food factory.
Health warning: obesity, cardiovascular disease, vitamin and mineral deficiency symptoms like weakened bones and teeth, poor immunity."
From: http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/J/jamies_school_dinners/fowl/index_t.html
Sorry, that is so strongly worded. I didn't hear the yuk bits on the show. It is British food, not sure if it is the same everywhere.
Edited by MyThreeDaughters on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 08:13 |
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Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - Thanks |
| Posted by CircleZ |
Thanks for sharing about the show and the chicken nuggets. That's gross.
Amey |
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I'm a midwestern gal, living my dream life on 7 acres in the country. I love Jesus, my husband, three children, Daisy the Wonder Goat, and our chickens. I'd still love to someday have a miniature jersey milk cow.
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