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Other Words / Op-Ed
Published: Monday 21 May 2012
The “Heart Attack Grill” takes pride in food that’s deep-fried.
Feeding Obesity
Attention foodies: There's a new craze in Cuisine World, and it's going 180 degrees in the opposite direction from the much-publicized healthy-eating movement.
It has nothing to do with dressing locally sourced beets and arugula with artisan balsamic vinegar. We're talking a big gooey Pizza Hut pepperoni pie with a long looping hot dog stuffed right into the crust around the entire circumference.
Hey, some might see the growing global problem of obesity as a crisis, but YUM! Brands, Inc., the conglomerate that owns Pizza Hut, sees it as a money-making opportunity.
That's why the worldwide pizza peddler has introduced another belt-buster ringed by a dozen mini cheeseburgers. Sadly, you can only order one if you travel to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, or the other Middle Eastern countries where Pizza Hut operates.
Not to be outdone, Burger King is test-marketing a stunning advance in fusion cuisine at one of its Nashville outlets. It marries two essential food groups together: ice cream and pork. Yes, America, get ready for the Bacon Sundae. It's topped off with caramel and chocolate syrup.
The pioneering innovator in obesity grub, however, comes from the place where anything goes, and "too much" is never enough: Las Vegas. Many top chefs have opened four-star restaurants along the Las Vegas strip, but none can outstrip a local diner when it comes to extravagant excess. The "Heart Attack Grill" takes pride in deep-fried, and its menu is filled with unhealthy eats. Renowned for its Quadruple Bypass Burger, Butter Fat Shakes, and Flatliner Fries cooked in pure lard, the grill brags that it serves food with "Taste Worth Dying For."
Indeed, two diners have collapsed so far this year while pounding down Bypass Burgers. To add to the charm, customers weighing over 350 pounds can eat for free.
So dig in, and bon appetite.
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ABOUT Jim Hightower
National radio commentator, writer, public speaker, and author of the book, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow, Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.
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By Aviva Shen
5 comments on "Feeding Obesity"
May 26, 2012 11:23am
John39, a good post. congrats on keeping your high cholesterol in check. that can't be easy and requires a good deal of discipline on your part. As to the hunger, disease, poverty, I have seen it firsthand from my time in the marine corps. One thing I can say for certain is that the poor conditions in other countries are attributerable to one thing: corrupt governments and politicians. Compared to countries in latin america and africa, the american government are straight-arrow. Don't beat yourself up on america being greedy, amoral and selfish, as we are, you will only get an ulcer. instead be grateful that you live in america and can eat enough food to give you high cholesterol. Remember, our biggest export is agricultural. So we try to do our part. In fact, go to las vegas and visit the heart attack grill. You would be amazed at how some guys eat those humugous burgers
May 21, 2012 3:02pm
I have hereditary hypercholesteralimia. Continuing to eat in the Southern deep fried style I grew up with would have killed me long before now. Throughout my life, from diagnosis at age 28, I have followed developments and information on protecting my heart and health from the effects of "feeding obesity" and continually improved eating reasonably healthy. My last cardiac arterial test showed 1% blockage. Not a typo. 1%.
I chose to eat healthy to live a longer and better life. So can anyone else. Until enough people make that choice instead of indulging in obesity binges, places like the Heart Attack Grill will continue to prosper and people will continue to burden the healthcare system with preventable, lengthy, painful, expensive illnesses and premature deaths. Unless the healthcare system starts getting smart and starts refusing to treat those who fail to control their baser urges, as is already happening to those patients who continue to smoke and/or drink in excess in spite of much better information, advice and medical data to the contrary.
May 21, 2012 2:04pm
I attempted to eat a single bypass burger and fries in chandler and even though I' m a good size, I couldn't finish even the single patty burger. the waitresses are dressed like nurses and take the order on prescription pads. The place was packed. Just a unique american success stroy featuring excessive waste of precious food sources. But that is the american way, and god bless it.
May 21, 2012 3:13pm
We are 5% of the world's population. We consume 40% of the world's resources. Tell "that's the american way, and god bless it." to those who suffer hunger, disease, poverty, starvation, lack of healthcare, lack of water, killer diseases that are treatable and preventable as well as killer diseases that can and should be being addressed. Your comment about that being the american way simply says that we are greedy, selfish, amoral, immoral, irresponsible, and decidedly unChristian to the detriment of the rest of the world. Congratulations, you are officially part of the global american menace.
May 21, 2012 12:26pm
Supersize that!
And coat with high fructose corn syrup mixed with bacon grease.