McDonalds to cut fat in french fries....NOT!!!

[Fausto]

They're switching to a "healthier" oil for their fries in a pathetic attempt to sway the current public opinion that Fast Food = The Root of All Evil.

The nation's biggest hamburger restaurant chain says the new oil will halve the trans fatty acid levels in its french fries while increasing the amount of the more beneficial polyunsaturated fat. Health experts suggest that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated ones can help lower cholesterol levels.

That's all good and well, but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming.

I'm guessing people will now eat even more french fries.....since these new ones are "healthy" and all.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
They're switching to a "healthier" oil for their fries in a pathetic attempt to sway the current public opinion that Fast Food = The Root of All Evil.

The nation's biggest hamburger restaurant chain says the new oil will halve the trans fatty acid levels in its french fries while increasing the amount of the more beneficial polyunsaturated fat. Health experts suggest that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated ones can help lower cholesterol levels.

That's all good and well, but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming.

I'm guessing people will now eat even more french fries.....since these new ones are "healthy" and all.

People may indeed eat more, but you can hardly say that moving away from trans fatty acids is a bad move, and nowhere do I see a suggestion that the actual amount of fat decreased. If people want to use this an excuse, it seems it is their doing.

 

[rh71]

Calories I don't mind at all... it's the cholesterol I must watch.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
They're switching to a "healthier" oil for their fries in a pathetic attempt to sway the current public opinion that Fast Food = The Root of All Evil.

The nation's biggest hamburger restaurant chain says the new oil will halve the trans fatty acid levels in its french fries while increasing the amount of the more beneficial polyunsaturated fat. Health experts suggest that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated ones can help lower cholesterol levels.

That's all good and well, but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming.

I'm guessing people will now eat even more french fries.....since these new ones are "healthy" and all.

Tell that to the EliteFitness.com guys who swear by their Flaxseed Oil - 100% FAT. You're telling me that's the same category as trans fatties found in margerine?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Actually, it is the fat. Dont confuse dietary cholesterol with cholesterol in the blood. That is made in the liver.

 

[ElFenix]

if you fry them right then they don't absorb all that much oil (can't absorb oil until the water has steamed out)... obviously mcdonald's doesn't do that.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
if you fry them right then they don't absorb all that much oil (can't absorb oil until the water has steamed out)... obviously mcdonald's doesn't do that.

You been watching Good Eats?

 

[ObiDon]

Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days

No, it's because we're all a bunch of lazy fvcks.

If we actually got some excersize once in a while, for the most part, it wouldn't really matter what we eat.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

The new fries that McD's is using are probably these really gross 90 second fries that are much healthier, but look and taste like cardboard.

nik

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: ElFenix
if you fry them right then they don't absorb all that much oil (can't absorb oil until the water has steamed out)... obviously mcdonald's doesn't do that.

You been watching Good Eats?

hells yeah!

 

[Fausto]

My beef (if you'll pardon the pun) in all this is that they are effectively diverting attention away from the fact that it's fatty fries that are making people's asses grow ever larger. Sure, a switch to an oil with less trans fatty acids is a good thing (they inhibit breakdown of cholesterol in the body, leading to higher levels). But continuing to eat that kind of crap day in and day out will still turn you into a statistic regardless of the type of oil in the fries.

Elemental: Flax seed oil is a "good thing" because it contains high levels of Omega-3. Sure, it's 100% fat, but unless you boil your fries in it it's not a significant source of calories on a day to day basis, whereas the 600-odd kcals in a Super-Size fry order certainly is. Everyone needs some fat in their diet since it's important for healthy skin and hair and because it is necessary for hormone synthesis.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ObiDon

Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days

No, it's because we're all a bunch of lazy fvcks.

If we actually got some excersize once in a while, for the most part, it wouldn't really matter what we eat.

per capita calorie intake has gone up several hundred since the 60s and is now in the upper 3000s per day.

so you're both wrong, since its that americans eat too much and don't get out enough.

 

[JellyBaby]

Reducing saturated fats in their fries sounds good but their fries are still overly salted, deep-fried and the serving sizes are too large. Potatoes are actually good for you provided you hold off on the salt and bake them.

I can see the typical John Doe American interpreting this as permission to always Super Size those fries.

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
They're switching to a "healthier" oil for their fries in a pathetic attempt to sway the current public opinion that Fast Food = The Root of All Evil.

The nation's biggest hamburger restaurant chain says the new oil will halve the trans fatty acid levels in its french fries while increasing the amount of the more beneficial polyunsaturated fat. Health experts suggest that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated ones can help lower cholesterol levels.

That's all good and well, but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming.

I'm guessing people will now eat even more french fries.....since these new ones are "healthy" and all.

Not exactly true though... while the calorie amount is the same, the saturated fats decreases insulin sensitivity while polyunsaturated fats increases it...

That is a good thing, that means less insulin, less hunger, raised metabolism...

So nutritionwise, not all fat's are equal....

Think about it, if fat's were the big enemy, wouldn't all of the fat-free products make people leaner? Are they leaner?

Eating fat at the same time as carbs is a good thing, it lowers the insulin spike, makes you feel full for a longer time, even if the calorie content is the same...

 

[Pabster]

Fausto1 wrote:

"but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming"

NEWS FLASH: Fat is not fat. There are 'good' fats (poly and more so mono-unsaturated), bad fats (saturated), and terrible do-not-eat fats, trans-fatty acids, AKA partially hydrogenated oils. These are found in most any processed food and are absolutely the worst of the fats. McDonald's cutting back on the TFA's isn't exactly an earth-shattering move; it isn't likely to help frequent customers lose any weight, but it certainly isn't a bad thing. Maybe those blobs will live a little longer

Also, fat doesn't "make" Americans fat. The real "fat builder" is carbohydrates, particularly simple ones found in all the processed and ultra-refined junk Americans consume every day -- like those triple-thick milkshakes and the like. I consume upwards of 90g of fat daily and I'm not fat; then again, I get all that fat from nuts, good oils, et al -- not from McDonald's french fries or burgers.

 

[mrCide]

Originally posted by: Pabster
Fausto1 wrote:

"but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming"

NEWS FLASH: Fat is not fat. There are 'good' fats (poly and more so mono-unsaturated), bad fats (saturated), and terrible do-not-eat fats, trans-fatty acids, AKA partially hydrogenated oils. These are found in most any processed food and are absolutely the worst of the fats. McDonald's cutting back on the TFA's isn't exactly an earth-shattering move; it isn't likely to help frequent customers lose any weight, but it certainly isn't a bad thing. Maybe those blobs will live a little longer

Also, fat doesn't "make" Americans fat. The real "fat builder" is carbohydrates, particularly simple ones found in all the processed and ultra-refined junk Americans consume every day -- like those triple-thick milkshakes and the like. I consume upwards of 90g of fat daily and I'm not fat; then again, I get all that fat from nuts, good oils, et al -- not from McDonald's french fries or burgers.

^^ well said.

 

[T2T III]

My response to McDonald's is: "Just Say NO!"

I have eliminated McDonald's, Taco Smell, Pizza, etc. from my diet. During my physical in late-June, my cholesterol level was 201 - when I was still eating that crap. During late-August, I had my cholesterol re-tested and it's now 143. Good-bye, McDonalds!! I don't need you, nor does my health or my body!!

 

[FoBoT]

i wish they would use good old Lard

 

[ChrisIsBored]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo you tub-o-lards are taking away all the good tasting food from skinny people like me!

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Pabster
Fausto1 wrote:

"but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming"

NEWS FLASH: Fat is not fat. There are 'good' fats (poly and more so mono-unsaturated), bad fats (saturated), and terrible do-not-eat fats, trans-fatty acids, AKA partially hydrogenated oils. These are found in most any processed food and are absolutely the worst of the fats. McDonald's cutting back on the TFA's isn't exactly an earth-shattering move; it isn't likely to help frequent customers lose any weight, but it certainly isn't a bad thing. Maybe those blobs will live a little longer

Also, fat doesn't "make" Americans fat. The real "fat builder" is carbohydrates, particularly simple ones found in all the processed and ultra-refined junk Americans consume every day -- like those triple-thick milkshakes and the like. I consume upwards of 90g of fat daily and I'm not fat; then again, I get all that fat from nuts, good oils, et al -- not from McDonald's french fries or burgers.

Quite correct. I should have said "fat is fat is fat with regard to calorie content". 9 kcal/gram any way you slice it. You also have a point with regard to the high levels of refined sugars we tend to eat. All good and well if you're active since your body just goes "Woohoo!! Rocket fuel!!" and procedes to burn it up, whereas it's essentially a precursor for further fat deposition in sedentary persons.

Again: my point is that Mickey D's is diverting attention from the fact that a typical meal at their establishment is unhealthy in terms of types of fat, cholesterol content, and overall number of calories per "serving". Yes, we have free will and don't have to eat the stuff (I sure as hell don't), but the unwashed masses see this press release and don't take away any more that "Oh good....I can eat all the fries I want now!"

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
They're switching to a "healthier" oil for their fries in a pathetic attempt to sway the current public opinion that Fast Food = The Root of All Evil.

The nation's biggest hamburger restaurant chain says the new oil will halve the trans fatty acid levels in its french fries while increasing the amount of the more beneficial polyunsaturated fat. Health experts suggest that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated ones can help lower cholesterol levels.

That's all good and well, but NEWS FLASH: fat is fat is fat when it comes to calories. Excess calories is why americans are such blobs these days....not because they need to be more aware of what kinds of fats they are consuming.

I'm guessing people will now eat even more french fries.....since these new ones are "healthy" and all.

I don't think it's as much excess calories as it is inactivity that is making America fat. Our kids are glued in front of a TV or computer as soon as they get home. When I was in school, the TV had only 13 channels, and there was hardly anything to watch after school except silly "After School specials." So we went BMX biking, swimming or played army or cowboys and indians. When I got older we went hiking up the local mountains or skateboarding. You couldn't keep us in the house. Now the kids from my same neighborhood are seldom playing outside. Also, far fewer kids are riding bikes or walking to school. More of us have house cleaners and gardners. More and more of our activities these days are electronic or motorized.

McDonalds style food has been around since the fifties. All of us cooked home meals with loads of straight lard or butter and did a LOT of frying. No, I don't think it's as much the food as it is a lack of physical activity.

 

[Jzero]

I'm guessing people will now eat even more french fries.....since these new ones are "healthy" and all.

These french fries have 50% less fat......I guess that means I can eat TWICE AS MANY!!!!!

 

[stev0]

low fat?! but they are cooked in oil!

 

[bizmark]

Does anybody think that this guy is correct? A lot of what he says makes a lot of sense, especially stuff like this:

For several million years, humans existed on a diet of animals and vegetation. It was only with the advent of agriculture a mere 10,000 years ago - a fraction of a second in evolutionary time - that humans began ingesting large amounts of sugar and starch in the form of grains (and potatoes) into their diets. Indeed, 99.99% of our genes were formed before the advent of agriculture; in biological terms, our bodies are still those of hunter-gatherers.

He uses this as the philosophical basis for the hypothesis that Carbohydrates Kill (also supported of course with tons of empirical evidence). Literally -- they mess with the things in your cells that cause cell death (oversimplification and fuzzy memory -- I read several of his articles about 6 months ago and can't remember much more than that). Insulin is heavily involved in this process somehow. Anyway, he promotes a diet high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates. I think that the fact that McDonald's will change its fry-cooking oils is good news. I use only Olive Oil at home, and the only place where I regularly eat french fries is a place that uses Canola Oil (both almost completely monounsaturated fats).

So does anybody with knowledge of nutrition have an opinion on this guy?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: bizmark
Does anybody think that this guy is correct? A lot of what he says makes a lot of sense, especially stuff like this:

For several million years, humans existed on a diet of animals and vegetation. It was only with the advent of agriculture a mere 10,000 years ago - a fraction of a second in evolutionary time - that humans began ingesting large amounts of sugar and starch in the form of grains (and potatoes) into their diets. Indeed, 99.99% of our genes were formed before the advent of agriculture; in biological terms, our bodies are still those of hunter-gatherers.

He uses this as the philosophical basis for the hypothesis that Carbohydrates Kill (also supported of course with tons of empirical evidence). Literally -- they mess with the things in your cells that cause cell death (oversimplification and fuzzy memory -- I read several of his articles about 6 months ago and can't remember much more than that). Insulin is heavily involved in this process somehow. Anyway, he promotes a diet high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates. I think that the fact that McDonald's will change its fry-cooking oils is good news. I use only Olive Oil at home, and the only place where I regularly eat french fries is a place that uses Canola Oil (both almost completely monounsaturated fats).

So does anybody with knowledge of nutrition have an opinion on this guy?

Here's some basic logic:

The average lifespan has increased 120% in the last 100 years alone.

Our obesity epidemic did not start until 20 or so years ago. For the thousands of years we were agrarian culture, we were not obese, and our life expectency ROSE, not fell.