Debunking 'Super Size Me'... Told You So

As I wrote before, Morgan Spurlock's "Super Size Me" was questionable in its results. I honestly believe I could easily eat McDonald's for every meal, which is typically four a day, and be in good health... well, my definition of "good health" which is maintaining my status quo (e.g. 220 lbs, which is 40 lbs over my college weight, healthy blood pressure and cholesterol, and a diet like Texas Toast... hot and buttered).

Now Dr. Ruth Kava has scientific proof from two "McDieters" to provide a different story than Spurlock's twisted tales (the only thing I like twisted are fries with cajun spices):

In contrast to Ms. Whaley, Mr. Weaver made no attempt to restrict his calories (he said he was not trying to lose weight). Indeed, he sometimes consumed 4 or 5 substantial meals per day during his McDonald's month. On average, he took in 4321 calories per day (more than Morgan Spurlock claims to have eaten, according to his movie). It's worth mentioning again that Mr. Weaver, a fitness aficionado and weight lifter, spent over an hour a day working out at his gym. Since he lost eight pounds during the month, he obviously used up more calories than he consumed.

Like Soso Whaley, Chazz Weaver over-consumed fat, compared to the Dietary Guidelines (30%). His average total fat intake was 44% of calories, and 14% of his caloric intake came from saturated fat (4% greater than suggested level). Carbohydrates supplied about 39% of his calories, somewhat less than the 35% that is usually recommended as a minimum. His cholesterol intake was very high -- over 1200 milligrams per day, four times the recommended level. One deficit was dietary fiber: Mr. Weaver consumed about 17 grams per day, which was only 69% of the recommended minimum of 25 grams.
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So the lowdown on our McDieters' diets: they could have been better, but they weren't awful. Ms. Whaley's task was the harder one, and one that should be brought to the attention of other dieters. A person who limits caloric intake has to pay particular attention to food selection in order to obtain all the necessary nutrients (or take supplements). Could she have avoided the deficits we found while eating at McDonald's? To some extent, yes. She could have consumed more fiber by eating salads more frequently; that would also have helped her get more folate. (This would be particularly important for a woman during child-bearing years, since adequate folate can help protect against some types of birth defects.) Her low intake of iron might have been helped by more meat and iron-fortified grain products, also by more eggs. Fat intake would drop with consumption of nonfat dairy products. More potassium could be obtained from increasing orange juice consumption (also by eating other fruit sources like bananas -- not served at McDonald's, to my knowledge), and even eating more French fries. (full article)

SIDENOTE: I began my "new health program" recently after suffering from tirades by my girlfriend and mother.

My mother turns to me while walking in the woods with my girlfriend after dinner,"Dear, in your condition if you have children, they will be fat... And if they are fat, I'm not going to visit you..."

"Whatever, Mom. Like you won't..."

This was a deadend motivational tactic by my mother.