POPCORN and SODA could be a terrorist plot, perhaps if you were considering boycotting the TSA's new body scanner at the airport you might want to consider boycotting popcorn and soda at the movie theater.
Seriously, do you know how many calories are in the popcorn alone? Of course we have all heard about the soda so I won't dwell on that but what options are there for someone who just wants a healthier choice in a movie theater. I would be happy with freshly popped plain popcorn, OK, organic would be good, too. Why do you think there are no healthy choices? What harm would that do?
What harm would that do? I had to ask that again because the question is so ridiculous. The real question is, " What good could it do?" Seriously, why are there no healthy food choices at the movie theater? Would it ruin the movie experience? Or would it just ruin the income of the theater? Let me just pause a second to say they do sell water and I believe water is very healthy. A small bottle last night at the Regal in Warrington, Pa. was offered for $4.75, I think that carries quite a healthy profit, no pun intended. So please tell me why they can't over charge me for a Lara bar, or a Naked juice? I think I would be equally willing to be ripped off for something healthy vs something DEADLY. I am not kidding, what about a juice bar at a movie theater, do you think that might take away something from your 'Movie Experience' if you had fresh dare I even imagine organic juice? Is there some contract between the theater owners and the big soda vendors that keep them from offering something different? I think that is very likely part of the problem.
According to research done by the Center for Science in Public Interest (CSPI) one medium combo at your typical movie theater, that is one soda and a medium size popcorn has approximately 1,600 calories. That means about 60 grams of saturated fat BEFORE the buttery topping is applied. 60 grams of saturated fat is equal to almost a whole stick of butter with the calorie equivalent of almost two sticks of butter.
I need to think about this, I can't imagine consuming a stick of butter, can you?
Last night at the movies there was a sign for this special: order the large size combination (that is one large 44 oz soda and a giant bucket, about a gallon of popcorn) and you get a FREE REFILL of one or the other. This should come with a feed bag, a statin prescription and a barf bag like on an airplane. .
Here is the thing, if I ate the large size popcorn just the way it came without the butter and if I drank a gigantic soda of 44 ounces, I would definitely throw up right in the theater. And even if I shared the soda and the popcorn, it would result in a similar outcome. So how come all those people in the theater can eat and drink all that popcorn and soda and not feel sick? What is going on? Is this a plot to kill Americans by Americans?
Now if that does not initiate some serious contemplation about what we are putting in our bodies, here is the the thing that keeps me up at night,
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR CHILDREN ????
The rates of childhood obesity are rising at a rapid rate and obese children become a much higher risk for type II diabetes which, I would like to remind you IS AN ADULT DISEASE, formerly called ADULT ONSET DIABETES!
Did you know that the name was actually changed so that pediatricians don't have to tell parents that there kids have an adult disease at age eight or ten. And guess what these poor children will now be living with this ADULT DISEASE for about eight or ten years by the time they are twenty they will be at risk for HEART DISEASE. This is a fact and it is also a fact that eighteen and twenty year old's have been known to have bypass surgery and other cardiac surgeries that would have previously been seen in the middle age or older adult population.
OK, alright I am getting way to serious, I mean really why should I worry? I have two boys in their twenties and they understand about eating well, they don't have weight issues.
I guess it is not my problem.
Well yes it is my problem because these diseases that have higher risk factors when adults and children are overweight will cost this country so much money it will break the bank.
Forget about health care and think about SELF CARE.
Please think about your family, your children, grandchildren or your friends and their families every time you spend money on food. We vote with our wallets every time we spend money and that is one of the most powerful votes we have.
Wake up and smell the hot salted buttered popcorn, next time you go to the movies complain to the manager of the theater, or better yet bring a copy of your latest lab results and ask the manager if he wants to be responsible for your increase lipid profile. Or better yet, bring a picture of a coronary angiogram with blocked coronary arteries and tell the manager you cannot have salt, fat, artificial ingredients or sugar. Then politely ask the manager what choices they have for you.
Bring your own food but buy the water.
Wake up, wake up, let's make some change for the good of everyone.
Eat some REAL food today, move more, give someone a hug and help make the world a better place for everyone, especially the little guys who depend on us grownups to make good decisions.
From the bottom of my heart,
Laurie
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