McFatty Day?

That’s strange about MSG being in peas and tomatoes, becuase I love my tomatoes and peas and I am always fine when I eat them, however when I have eaten products with MSG in them I get a roaring headache. I am pretty sure that that was the only ingredient that was questionable in the product I ate last time I had this reaction (it was actually a flavoured nut type thing from the health food store).
But I guess there are so many variables in life my headaches could have been related to something else…
has got me thinking though.

Oh noes, someone on the internets has opted for insulting me as a means of avoiding dealing with my comments in a logical fashion! What ever should I do…..?

Oh wait, FC has defended me. Whew. Thanks FC! In answer to your question about MSG, it is found naturally in a lot of foods, including vegies such as peas and tomatoes, as well as being present in very high levels in fermented foods like soy sauce and cheese. So if something can be found in raw, unprocessed vegetables, it is not that much of a stretch to add it to other foods and still claim the “all natural” label. For years, on the instructions of my mum, I studiously checked food labels for E621, and then I realised that all those made-from-scratch tomato-based pasta dishes I cook and then add cheese to are pretty high in MSG anyway, so I gave up on caring about it.

peterh said :

Jim Jones said :

peterh said :

tylersmayhem said :

disney mags sit next to who. aimed at kids, and we inevitably find one deposited on the conveyor by my 3yo.

So the conspiracy is now about Disney magazines?

Hey I just found some dried prawns in the cupboard that are 8 years old and haven’t gone off! Presumably they too are packed full of chemicals, salt, sugar and other preservatives…

Ahh, yes…because they are “dried” perhaps?!

he purchased a packet of chips from Superbarn that said something to the effect of “All natural – not artificial colours or preservatives”
Anyway these were something like twisties so as we looked through the ingredients of the packet as we were wondering what made it so flavoursome we noticed it listed E621.
I had with me my handy little “The chemical maze” book and turns out E621 is MSG!

But did they quote “no artificial flavors”? I suspect not. they seem to have so many tactics to flock a couple of good points, but it what they don’t quote that speaks volumes. I notice it all the time. I.e. “all natural flavor”. This can mean the actual flavor you taste is created by natural ingredients, but the MSG “enhances” this natural flavor.

Reply

Jim Jones said :

peterh said :

tylersmayhem said :

why are the confectionery aisles geared with the bulk bags at a littlie’s height?

Um … the confectionary aisle has chocolate and sweets at ALL levels. I think it’s probably best to just skip that aisle.

The ‘small child height’ strikes me as being a bit silly. They put impulse stuff at all levels – from memory the chocolate and crap are a lot harder to reach for children than magazines. Are you suggesting that there is a nefarious scheme to get children hooked on Who magazine?

disney mags sit next to who. aimed at kids, and we inevitably find one deposited on the conveyor by my 3yo.

peterh said :

tylersmayhem said :

why are the confectionery aisles geared with the bulk bags at a littlie’s height?

Um … the confectionary aisle has chocolate and sweets at ALL levels. I think it’s probably best to just skip that aisle.

The ‘small child height’ strikes me as being a bit silly. They put impulse stuff at all levels – from memory the chocolate and crap are a lot harder to reach for children than magazines. Are you suggesting that there is a nefarious scheme to get children hooked on Who magazine?

tylersmayhem said :

Why don’t you have a winge about Woollies for selling Tim Tams? Or the coffee shops in Manuka for selling delicious cream cakes?

Because Woolies isn’t using strategic marketing to hook children, to then establish them as life long “users” of the food. I suggest reading a book like Fast Food Nation (skip the movie by the same name). Quite an eye opener when you look at the techniques, food content and company policies of McS**t’s. I’d avoid Woolies too if they practiced the same techniques.

oh, but they do. why are the confectionery aisles geared with the bulk bags at a littlie’s height? so that they can grab them and throw them in the trolley. Try going through a checkout with candy and chocolate at small child height. they are able to put things on the conveyor that you think you must have picked up. impulse purchases from the checkouts will get you for softdrink, sweets, chocolate toys, kids mags, etc, etc. very carefully worked out system – and an effective marketing ploy.

In order for me to put a real term to the amount of exercise I am doing, I took the initiative about 8 weeks ago to see how much calories were present in a big mac.

As it turns out – a Big Mac has about 480 calories. That in real terms is about 30 minutes cardio for me (According to my polar F3 HRM)

I ride approx 2 hrs a day 3 days a week = 6 hours total (Yes, yes, I am a mathemetician)

So this in real terms is approximately 12 big macs burnt off a week. Thats not a big mac meal an actual big mac.

Obviously a big mac meal would equal more calories and fat.

Heres the thing though…. I can eat up to 12 big macs a week and remain at the same weight.

Thing is I do not want to – maybe ill go 3 weeks withut maccas, maybe one week ill have a big mac meal. The whole thing is moderation, not eradication.

It ios possible to eat crap (albeit occasionally) and still have no negative effects.

My one big mac meal a week (if that) and my exercise still = calories lost.

It is valuable to note that I do eat quite healthily otherwise as well.

Oh and someone who said you can not get fat from beer – true… but my rantings on that in another thread can be searched for….

Eating mcDonalds now and then is not going to kill you. Especially if you exercise regularly.

Yeah, but even then, isn’t a real hamburger infinitely better? You know, something made by a burly Greek dude at your local shops, with actual meat and salad (and beetroot is an absolute necessity). It tastes better, it’s no doubt significantly better for you, and the profit made from your meal will never support that vapid bastard Kyle F%^ing Sandilands.

> So does this active and fitness orientated lifestyle mean NO polluting of one’s temple?

Not at all. It does mean watching what you eat & drink a little though. I still enjoy the odd beer, I just leave out the Maccas & deep fried junk. I enjoy the taste of quality fresh food MUCH more than the alternatives in any case, so it’s not a big issue.

& I guess you burn it off with excercise Thumper, but it isn’t great fuel for the body. I feel much fitter & healthier with a proper meal in my stomach than with Bic Macs. 🙂

We have takeaway once a week, much more on a trip. Our kids aren’t fat.

We have friends with fat kids. These tend to be families where there are biscuits, soft drink and other treats available 24/7, and they don’t tend to do much that doesn’t involve a screen. The parents themselves are ususally overweight. No mystery there.

So why do people like to point the finger at McDonalds for Australia’s fat kids?? Because it’s easier to blame some big American corporation for everything? Because Michael Moore told me to?

Oh well, I suppose it saves you having to think for yourself.

I have never eaten McDonald’s, and do not intend to. This is not because I believe their food to be any worse than any other junk food; but that their business practices are ethically appalling.

Just curious, what about their business practices do you take exception with?

So does this active and fitness orientated lifestyle mean NO polluting of one’s temple?

No Booze, no Bacon, no Béarnaise?

Wow – you may not live forever, but it will certainly feel like it!

Actually Thumper, if you have an active & fitness orientated lifestyle the very last thing you would want to or should eat all the time would be Maccas. Being fit requires good quality food, all the time. It’s since I got fit that I gave up things like Maccas. No point doing a 20km run to then ruin the good work with a Bic Mac!

tylersmayhem said :

Might also explain how the meat actually looks more grey when you eat it?!

Ahh mate, cooked beef is gray.

Wow. I’m amazed.
That is great though.

I haven’t eaten McDonalds in about the last five to ten years, but as a teenager I’m sure I had it occasionally.
I would rather not eat at all now than eat McDonalds.

FC said :

GB – have you seriously nevery eaten Mcdonalds in your life?
That is quite astonishing!

To the best of my knowledge, no. Have never been in the door. Its pretty easy once you decide.

But, when I was a kid, we did have what was then known as “Kentucky Fried Chicken”. And later, Dolly’s Van was considered a food source. So, its not about the food quality per se.

Okay all political and scientific and ethical crap aside.

I just found out McHappy Day is endorsed by Kyle Sandilands, KYLE SANDILANDS!!!

I thought there was only room for one clown in the fast food industry!?!?

How can they have such a smarmy, arrogant, angry man endorse ‘McHappy Day’?

not and icecream?
not a drink?
not a cheeseburger?

GB – have you seriously nevery eaten Mcdonalds in your life?
That is quite astonishing!

The additives in a 1996 American Big Mac and an Australian 2008 Big Mac may be entirely different, the environment it was provided may also be entirely different. While I think Macca’s is a bad nutritional choice, I don’t think it is entirely the spawn of the devil either.

It will be an interesting experiment. I might run one, as a control.

I would hardly say that NoAddedMSG is mindlessly ranting. They are making a good point. Even though I am I agree with your points in the above posts Tylersmayhem.
How about we stick to the topic and not start throwing around insults..

On the subject of MSG, or alleged no added MSG I went tothe Cinema a few months back with a friend of mine and he purchased a packet of chips from Superbarn that said something to the effect of “All natural – not artificial colours or preservatives”
Anyway these were something like twisties so as we looked through the ingredients of the packet as we were wondering what made it so flavoursome we noticed it listed E621.
I had with me my handy little “The chemical maze” book and turns out E621 is MSG!

I guess that prompts the question of what is natural and what is unnatural. I guess everything comes from somewhere that must originally comes from the earth. Therefore everything comes from the earth and must be natural. This could be very misleading for the unconscientious consumer.

My desire to do the experiement is being overruled by my desire to eat it for lunch 😉

Also, there’s no control in this experiement and that makes the old sydney uni science student part of me feel very uneasy!

tylersmayhem said :

I have a home made beef rissole (cooked last night) and buns from the supermarket. I can start the experiment today if you like?

Is it made out of 100% beef?

Do the experiment. Do a control. Record the conditions.

Try this experiment:

1) Buy fresh butcher’s mince. Not the prime stuff, and not with sulphur dioxide added.
2) Make burger – cook thoroughly at high temperature, drain
3) Sprinkle with salt. Allow to cool.
4) Put in airtight container in the fridge for 1 year

Or this one:

1) Go to local pub or takeaway
2) Buy hamburger
3) Go out to kitchen and get list of all ingredients and additives in burger, bacon, bun, sauce, pineapple, beetroot etc.
4) Post list on riotact

I don’t think this phenomenon is limited to one brand, or only junk food.

Hey I just found some dried prawns in the cupboard that are 8 years old and haven’t gone off! Presumably they too are packed full of chemicals, salt, sugar and other preservatives…

“Evidence” is not the plural of “anecdote”.

I have never eaten McDonald’s, and do not intend to. This is not because I believe their food to be any worse than any other junk food; but that their business practices are ethically appalling. Bad science undermines our case.

I have a home made beef rissole (cooked last night) and buns from the supermarket. I can start the experiment today if you like?

If it’s going to stop NoAddedMSG’s mindless ranting (ironic name for this topic if ever the was one), then yes, please do and submit photo’s. 🙂

And its not on a kitchen bench, its in a sealed container…

I have a home made beef rissole (cooked last night) and buns from the supermarket. I can start the experiment today if you like?

With respect, I wouldn’t exactly call McD burgers dry – that wasn’t a dehydrated patty and bun, it was an actual cooked burger. For comparison, leave a home-made rissole in a fresh bun on your kitchen bench for a week and see what happens.

You totally missed my point didn’t you?

but the whole 10 year old burger thing annoys me a lot because it is bad, biased science with little credability.

Or simply a piece of meat which is packed full of chemicals, salt, sugar and other preservatives that some people eat regularly?!

But, in order for the whole look-this-burger-is-10-years-old thing to carry weight, I want to see the same experiments carried out on non-Maccas food with a similar water content…. because I suspect it has a lot to do with the “dry” nature of Maccas burgers, rather than any other preservatives, as the lack of water in any situation limits the growth of the microbes which contribute to food rotting. I am prepared to bet that I could prepare a similar style burger, lacking in a lot of wet ingrediants AND without any added preservatives, which kept in the right dry conditions would also last a very long time without rotting.

Don’t get me wrong, I dislike MacDonalds food intensely, it is really bad for you for a whole list of reasons, but the whole 10 year old burger thing annoys me a lot because it is bad, biased science with little credability.

That link to the blog reminds me of video footage I once saw of an experiment where some dudes bought various McS**t items and left them in their office to see how long it took for them to disintegrate. The time lapse was incredible, and other than part of the food like lettuce and tomato (which still lasted a ridiculous amount of time), the majority of the items looked just the same as when they were bought, other than a small amount of mould. The chips lasted endlessly, and looked the same after I think it was well over a year or two.

Please again remind me of ANY correlation between junk food from Woolies and indeed other restaurant food and McCrap’s? Anything that is pumped full of stuff that allows it to last this long must surely be incredibly bad for you.

There’s so much sugar in the buns that they can’t be classified as ‘bread’, they’re actually more like cake.

As for preservatives — there’s a woman who bought a McDonalds burger in 1996, and you can see how it looks now (next to a newly bought burger) on her blog:

http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/2008/09/23/1996-mcdonalds-hamburger-karen-hanrahan-best-of-mother-earth.aspx#comment-1518970

tylersmayhem said :

Not sure where this came from but I do NOT believe that the patties you get are simply beef.

Years ago SBS had a two part doco on McDeath, unfortunately it was never repeated, the first part was on the products they sold, the second part was about how they treated their staff, and their marketing practices.

I found it interesting that they added artificial colour ( a bright red ) to the patties, since the customer never saw the raw pattie, and that they added preservatives to the buns since they were frozen immediately after baking for shipment to the individual franchises. There was a huge amount of sugar added to the buns too.

tylersmayhem said :

Nope, I’ve tried binging on beer and carrot sticks for 3 weeks and I STILL put on weight. Go figure!

Who would have thought that carrot sticks would make you fat?

That’s the official word from the Macca’s site. They do note that salt and pepper is added on the grill.

I [and others] generally believe it is the flavour of udders, lungs and snouts.

Perhaps it is environmentally sound eating?

Big Mac – 480 Cals or approx 2000 Kj
BIG MAC BUN: Wheat Flour, Water, Yeast, Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Canola &/or Sunflower), Sesame Seed, Salt,
Gluten, Soy Flour, Preservative (282), Emulsifiers (471, 472(e), 481), Malt Flour, Mineral Salt (170), Antioxidant
(300, 304, 307, 330), Enzyme (1100) Vitamin (Thiamin).
BEEF PATTIES: Beef (100%)…….

Not sure where this came from but I do NOT believe that the patties you get are simply beef. Ever tried just the pattie? You telling me that tangy, salty strange flavor is 100% beef? Unless they marinate it in some strange cow body liquids like liquefied brain, liver and tear duct to give it that special Macca’s flavour. Might also explain how the meat actually looks more grey when you eat it?!

I had someone tell me the other day that beer doesn’t make you fat, but it’s just the things that you eat as well as beer that do it.

Nope, I’ve tried binging on beer and carrot sticks for 3 weeks and I STILL put on weight. Go figure!

I will buy a big mac on the day and donate directly.. Because I can buy into the fun and not be up an up tight fuddy duddy 🙂

“The most important thing to remember is that, no matter how much you eat, junk food will not fill the emptiness you feel in your heart.

Only liquor can do that.”

I would envisage that masterpiece to appear as a quote at the top of the RA home page.

Every day is McFatty Day in Canberra isn’t it?

Danman said :

Beef by definition starts at the nose and ends at the tail.

It never claimed to be 100% prime fillet beef.

Snouts! It’s made from snouts.

The most important thing to remember is that, no matter how much you eat, junk food will not fill the emptiness you feel in your heart.

Only liquor can do that.

Straight to the pool room!

Jakez, that is probably the right weight for you. 59 – 62 kg is the right weight for me. So I was basically carrying around almost two people. And some people wanted to sleep with me at that weight.

Beef by definition starts at the nose and ends at the tail.

It never claimed to be 100% prime fillet beef.

Granny said :

Ok, I have been 106 kg and I can tell you that the person in that picture is miserable and probably wants to die. I can also tell you that what I notice is how nice his smile is. If he was slimmer he would be hot and plenty of people would want to sleep with him but they wouldn’t deserve him.

I’m 110kg, are you saying nobody wants to sleep with me? I’m crushed.

Admittedly, I am 6 feet tall and a reasonable amount is muscle.

A Big Mac isn’t that bad in the scheme of things. The chips are the really unhealthy thing on the menu, as well as the Quarter Pounders (which are unfortunately my favourite thing on the menu).

If you want to give yourself a coronary, go into a Maccas and ask for a ‘Double Pounder’. That’s 8 patties and 8 pieces of cheese. I ate one as a dare once… It is horrific.

We practically kissed the floor in McDonalds St Petersburg! Clean toilets … actually even just toilets! Yay!!

It’s hardly the Ottoman, but I’ve probably eaten worse back in the day.

We can now move to the debate as to whether “Beef” includes udders, noses, lungs and the other bibs and bobs.

Big Mac – 480 Cals or approx 2000 Kj
BIG MAC BUN: Wheat Flour, Water, Yeast, Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Canola &/or Sunflower), Sesame Seed, Salt,
Gluten, Soy Flour, Preservative (282), Emulsifiers (471, 472(e), 481), Malt Flour, Mineral Salt (170), Antioxidant
(300, 304, 307, 330), Enzyme (1100) Vitamin (Thiamin).
BEEF PATTIES: Beef (100%)
LETTUCE: Iceberg Lettuce
BIG MAC SAUCE: Water, Soybean Oil, Pickles, Vinegar, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch (1401, 1442), High Fructose
Corn Syrup, Egg Yolks, Corn Syrup, Spice and Spice Extracts, Salt, Vegetable Gum (415), Preservative (202),
Onion Extract, Paprika Extract, Dehydrated Garlic, Hydrolyzed Proteins (contains Wheat and Soy).
CHEESE: Cheese (Milk, Salt, Starter Cultures, Enzyme (rennet)), Water, Butter, Milk Solids, Food Acid (331, 260),
Salt, Colours (160b, 160c), Soy Lecithin, Preservative (200), Acidity Regulator (339).
PICKLES: Cucumber, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Preservatives (202, 211), Flavour
ONION: Water, Dehydrated White Onion .
Contains gluten, egg, milk, soy & sesame seeds. Note: Patty seasoned on grill with salt and pepper.

I don’t trust drugs and they don’t trust me.

tylersmayhem said :

Next ask how much chemical is in the food you are eating

Technically speaking, 100% of everything you eat is chemical

Granny said :

You’re so right, Jim! And that makes you fat, too.

; )

I had someone tell me the other day that beer doesn’t make you fat, but it’s just the things that you eat as well as beer that do it.

So that means everything’s fine so long as you only drink beer and don’t eat anything at all.

FC said :

Isn’t 100% beef just a registered trademark or something like that so that they can say that they use 100% beef (the same as “cadbury” chocolate or “coon” cheese) and get away with it, even though it is misleading they are not breaking the law.

Urban myth, I think you’ll find. Can’t imagine them getting away with that.

Drugs and money help too – they take the edge off and keep you slim.

You’re so right, Jim! And that makes you fat, too.

; )

The most important thing to remember is that, no matter how much you eat, junk food will not fill the emptiness you feel in your heart.

Only liquor can do that.

Isn’t 100% beef just a registered trademark or something like that so that they can say that they use 100% beef (the same as “cadbury” chocolate or “coon” cheese) and get away with it, even though it is misleading they are not breaking the law.

It’s not like advertising is some evil plot ‘discovered ‘ by McDonalds.

Can’t say I necessarily agree!

I wouldn’t buy a big mac, but I’b buy a lean beef burger and a bangle.

First question how much actual “beef” is in the burger. When they say it’s 100% Australian beef, they are saying the small amount of beef that is in the product all came from Australia and not overseas. Next ask how much chemical is in the food you are eating, and is it good to be consuming so much artificial s**t in a food that should simply have meat, a little salt, pepper, egg and maybe egg as a binder. Ever looked at the ingredients of a McS**t burger pattie? Or the ingredients of a sundae for that matter.

I’m not trying to ruin people’s eating choices, but rather drawing attention to the s**t people and possible unknowingly eating, and then they can decide. Kind of like my parents generation who say “well, we knew smoking wasn’t bad for us…but not THAT bad”. Same goes for food’s like McDonalds. The proof is there – you wanna keep eating it,then don’t complain (or try to sue) when it all goes pear-shaped.

imhotep said :

Well, that’s what corporations do. It’s not like advertising is some evil plot ‘discovered ‘ by McDonalds. … What I am saying is that it is ludicrous to point the finger at one (successful) business and say ‘it’s their fault’ when clearly the problem lies elsewhere.

So people aren’t allowed to criticise McDonalds for predatory marketing? We’re supposed to … what … have a revolution and replace the capitalist mode of production or something else?

I have spent many a weekend in a food court for work and from my observiations the people lined up at the boost juice and the “healthy options” place do look different and healther than those lined up at Maccas or KFC etc.

I hate sitting there watching all the poeple sitting there stuffing their faces before they trek of to go and buy more sh*t they don’t need, but they think they need.

I wouldn’t blame McDonalds for the obesity epidemic or anything like that but I sure as well wouldn’t support such an evil, money hungry organisation that targets children and sells people disgusting crap that is so far from “real food” that its not funny. And while the RM Houses do great things, they are still great for McDonalds PR. The company sells around the world a product that is bad for people, but people think “Look what MCDonalds does for the kids”.
What a crock.
imhotep – Brats dolls are a disgusting evention. I am baffled. When did it become ok to sell dolls dressed as strippers to children?
McDonalds is certainly not the first company to target children and certainly won’t be the last, but does that make it any less unethical?
It is bizarre that children see Mcdonalds as a “fun place”. The actual product they are selling is not even what has been sold to these kids in the advertisements..
And plus… there’s always gonna be shit in the meat.. 😉

Danman said :

and cut and paste award goes to…..

Did you really think that i would type all this out?

sezzle said :

I’d buy a lean beef burger and a bangle.

Hahahaha!!! Man, comments like that would get you killed out in the country!!!

and cut and paste award goes to…..

What may be overheard at the next Mchappy day:

Your kid is so fat, he shows up on radar.

The guy is so fat, he leaves footprints in concrete!

Bill was so fat when he stepped on the scale it said, “To be continued.”

One guy was so fat, he had his own area code.

You are so fat NASA orbits satellites around you.

Kelly is so big, he plays hopscotch like, “Canberra…Sydney…Perth….. SA…Tasmania…”

I know a lady named Crazy Chester that is so fat she has to wake up in sections.

And then there is Amber wetsin. She has so many double chins she looks like she is staring at you over a pile of pancakes.

Seriously though, Amber isn’t fat, she insists she’s just 4 feet too short.

Your mama’s so fat, when she broke her leg, gravy poured out!

McFatty is so fat, they use his belt to measure the Earth’s equator.

The guy is so fat, if someone would melt him down, they’d have enough oil to power Melbourne for a month!

Two fat blokes in a pub, one says to the other, “Your round.”
The other one says “So are you, you fat pig!”

You are so fat you were baptized in Sea World.

You are so fat, you had your baby pictures taken by satellite.

Your dad is so fat, people jog around him for exercise.

Johnboy is so fat when he steps on the scale it says, “No live stock please.”

Yo momma’s so fat she needs a VCR for a pager

Your mama’s so fat that her belly button makes an echo

Yo momma’s so fat her cerial bowl comes with a lifeguard

Yo mama’s so fat, on Halloween she says “Trick or Meatloaf!”

Yo mama’s so fat, I had to take a train and two busses just to get to her GOOD side.

Last McHappy Day I noticed they were selling rubber bangles for the cause as well, so you can by the salad and a band instead. Or you can just be a year round donator into their house charity boxes at the counter. I wouldn’t buy a big mac, but I’b buy a lean beef burger and a bangle.

tylersmayhem said :

“…Because [Maccas are] using strategic marketing to hook children, to then establish them as life long “users” of the food.”

Well, that’s what corporations do. It’s not like advertising is some evil plot ‘discovered ‘ by McDonalds.

Look at the ads for ‘Brats’ dolls, targeted at 10-year-old wannabes. Or the ads for prestige cars targeting 40-year-old wannabes. It’s a business, and business must sell product or cease to be.

I’m not defending McDonalds per se. (My kids love it, I don’t) What I am saying is that it is ludicrous to point the finger at one (successful) business and say ‘it’s their fault’ when clearly the problem lies elsewhere.

imhotep said :

What a whiny load of rubbish. Why don’t you have a winge about Woollies for selling Tim Tams? Or the coffee shops in Manuka for selling delicious cream cakes?

Maccas isn’t responsible for the obesity epidemic. In fact you could argue they do a better job in providing alternatives than any other fast food chain – certainly better than KFC, Red Rooster etc, none of whom come in for the criticism that McDonalds does.

As to their charity efforts such as Ronald McDonald House. You can argue that ALL corporate sponsorship is just marketing.

Alternatively, you could say that Ronald McDonald House is a very worthwhile charity, and make a donation even if you don’t eat their food.

Like obesity or having a mindless winge, it’s your choice.

.

Agreed. All corporate sponsorship IS marketing, through deals struck with corporate organisations and the marketing managers they employ to boost their profile.

That’s the kind of world we’ve made for ourselves I guess.

I mean if I had a child with cancer and Satan himself offered to help me I wouldn’t hesitate in accepting his/her offer.

But if I had to eat a Big Mac…

Well I’d probably do that too, they’re pretty tasty!

Why don’t you have a winge about Woollies for selling Tim Tams? Or the coffee shops in Manuka for selling delicious cream cakes?

Because Woolies isn’t using strategic marketing to hook children, to then establish them as life long “users” of the food. I suggest reading a book like Fast Food Nation (skip the movie by the same name). Quite an eye opener when you look at the techniques, food content and company policies of McS**t’s. I’d avoid Woolies too if they practiced the same techniques.

See that guy that literally lived on big-macs for a month? Skinny as a rake, probably malnourished though

Ya..would love to see his artery’s though. Hang on…maybe I wouldn’t in that case.

Big Macs don’t make you fat. How is it different from eating a big juicy steak, or basically anything – it’s not.

See that guy that literally lived on big-macs for a month? Skinny as a rake, probably malnourished though 🙂

It’s all about eating too much of anything. Doesn’t matter what it is. Just because it’s a “healthy” salad or “fat-free” doesn’t mean eating 3 of them in one sitting is somehow good for you. Get used to feeling a little hungry, or get fat

What a whiny load of rubbish. Why don’t you have a winge about Woollies for selling Tim Tams? Or the coffee shops in Manuka for selling delicious cream cakes?

Maccas isn’t responsible for the obesity epidemic. In fact you could argue they do a better job in providing alternatives than any other fast food chain – certainly better than KFC, Red Rooster etc, none of whom come in for the criticism that McDonalds does.

As to their charity efforts such as Ronald McDonald House. You can argue that ALL corporate sponsorship is just marketing.

Alternatively, you could say that Ronald McDonald House is a very worthwhile charity, and make a donation even if you don’t eat their food.

Like obesity or having a mindless winge, it’s your choice.

.

I still think that McS**t’s sponsoring and sales techniques are well on par with the days gone by ways of the Winfield Cup and Benson & Hedge’s World Series. The food they peddle is bad for you, it tastes like ace, they target children and they are FINALLY starting to do something about the crap that goes in their food only because they have now been exposed.

I refuse to eat there, and anyone who honestly thinks it tastes good should take 6 months off it, then try and eat a quarter pounder or Big Mac. Ewww!

Ari said :

Where did you get that picture of me? I don’t remember any cameras last time I was at Kambah Pool.

Christ – what does my Mum see in you!!!!!!

Seconded.

Mario said :

i’ve herd many 2ca dj’s R gay, so if they tutch your big qwarter poundr make shore they wash hands first … follow them into toilet if U have to … but dont stay too long! dont end up like the ice creme peeple in cogee N-less U can get lotts of money from 2ca. 🙂

Why don’t you do us all a favour aaaannnnnnnnnddddd…

– Kill yourself!

Thanks awfully.

While I chose to let this post through I would like to say that Ronald MacDonald House’s are a very real and very important thing for families of seriously sick children.

Of this I have no doubt whatsoever. But it’s still a marketing ploy.

I agree, sick kids being the catalyst to make you spend your money, it’s really quite despicable!

Do you think McDonalds really need to dedicate a day to saying ‘look at us, we’re actually really nice… see 10 cents from every Big Mac which costs $3.50 is going to charity’??? 10 cents out of tree fiddy? Come off it!!! Surely they make enough money without having to say ‘look at us’ everytime they do something nice. And surely McDonalds is a corporation wealthy enough to put forward a more grander gesture if they are gonna say ‘look at us’…

Yes maybe they need some good publicity due all the public backlash they cop but I don’t think I’ve seen a Maccas outlet without customers ever! So if that’s the case why don’t they just write out a huge cheque every year without trying to twist the whole scenario to be about us spending money, on a burger, to help them.

I’m not a Maccas hater by any means, hell I love a good Maccas breakfast post large night out. I watched ‘Supersize Me’ and had to stop half way through because all I could think about was having a quarter pounder and fries. I just reckon there’s no place for McHappy Day.

Ronald McDonald House no doubt is a great thing for families who need it but naming it after a clown that is a mascot for a hamburger restaurant is kind of like a McDonalds salad – tasteless.

That you’re in need of a life?

I find that many of the people queueing at the expensive health food shops are people wanting to look the part, but who don’t typically have a much different body shape from those queuing at any other shop.

Here’s an experiment. next time you are in a food court at one of the malls, do a comparison between those queuing at McLard, Kentucky F**ked Chicken, Kingsleys “Awful Chicken, Dire Chips”, and those at the Boost and other healthy eating places, and what do you find?

It was a good line though!

Oh ….

*blush*

Sorry!!

Yeah, big help. Just shows that you can be a pig without being fat.

It’s a joke, Joyce…

I for one fail to see with what is so wrong with a company that chooses to sell food at many outlets throughout the world. To blame them for obesity is ridiculous – we as adults choose what we and our children’s eat.

I think people whinge about about companies like McD’s because they are an easy target, because they’re visible, which says a lot more about the whinger, I think.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Actually, I once had a thought of starting an obesity self-help telephone service.

“If you want to lose 1-5 kg, press 1, if you want to lose 6-10 kg, press 2”, etc…

After you get to pressing 7 or above it just says “stop eating you fat bitch”.

Yeah, big help. Just shows that you can be a pig without being fat.

“If you think this is in anyway an altruistic act by McLardburger, you seriously need you head examined.”

Explain to me how they can operate the Ronald McDonald houses then? Unsure how many they have, but there must some cost (probably insignificant in comparison to overall revenue) to be burdened by the company.

“Why not stop then?”

You’re exactly right, lets continue on. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of banter, after all that’s what this site is all about.

“Are you filling some inner need for attention by doing this in a subject you obviously despise?”

No.

While I chose to let this post through I would like to say that Ronald MacDonald House’s are a very real and very important thing for families of seriously sick children.

You might choose not to eat the burgers but personally I think our lives would be poorer if there were no drive throughs for those days when we’re in a serious hurry.

I have spent a long time with my family at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick and I can say that with the weight of tragic circumstances weighing down on us all they were heaven sent. I hope you’ll never need them like I did and will in the future.

Ok, so McDonalds every day for every meal possibly isn’t good for you if you do it on this one day so many people benefit… even if you just go there and don’t buy anything, please give to this charity.

Thumper – are you an idiot? “it’s just another f*kcing marketing ploy”… no it isn’t.

JR – you also need to wear an idiot badge of shame “Cut out contributing to the bottom line profits of McDonalds”.

You all do realise that Mr Lardarse in the photo is going to cost taxpayers a hell of a lot of money in years to come when he can no longer walk, has a stroke or heart attack, needs a disabled parking spot, knees give up, etc….

Think of the kids who are already fat little porkers with slab cheeks and slitty eyes, kids with tits, when they’re 7 years old. They’ll never have a chance, they are doomed to a life of fatness and terrible health problems by their parents, who are too lazy to raise their kids properly.

Go to any public event and see how many of these fat kids we have, and then wonder about the future. Yes, the aging baby boomers will strain the health system, but the kids who are “our future” are scary.

Mario – I’m sure the 2ca DJs, gay or otherwise, will wash their hands before handling foodstuffs on mchappy day- you won’t get a no.2 sundae! though i have heard some scary stories about what happens back there in the kitchen from ppl who worked there….special mayo anyone?

Mario said :

i’ve herd many 2ca dj’s R gay, so if they tutch your big qwarter poundr make shore they wash hands first … follow them into toilet if U have to … but dont stay too long! dont end up like the ice creme peeple in cogee N-less U can get lotts of money from 2ca. 🙂

English translation needed.

Actually, I once had a thought of starting an obesity self-help telephone service.

“If you want to lose 1-5 kg, press 1, if you want to lose 6-10 kg, press 2”, etc…

After you get to pressing 7 or above it just says “stop eating you fat bitch”.

The guy in the picture looks plenty happy to me. Fat, and happy.

i’ve herd many 2ca dj’s R gay, so if they tutch your big qwarter poundr make shore they wash hands first … follow them into toilet if U have to … but dont stay too long! dont end up like the ice creme peeple in cogee N-less U can get lotts of money from 2ca. 🙂

Ok, I have been 106 kg and I can tell you that the person in that picture is miserable and probably wants to die. I can also tell you that what I notice is how nice his smile is. If he was slimmer he would be hot and plenty of people would want to sleep with him but they wouldn’t deserve him.

I’ll have a medium McChicken meal thanks..

For crying out loud, give fatties and mcdonald’s a break! Mchappy day is a wonderful, joyful event and it IS still being heard on Canberra’s BEST radio station 2CA!!! They will even have their radio people helping to cook the big macs out the back.

I think it sounds like something out of the Gruen Transfer. Maccas market it as day to help the children via their Ronald Mcdonald charities, so your conscious says “Well I don’t normally go to MacDonalds and buy a lardy Big Mac, but today I’ll go indulge myself because it’s going to help the children.” They also know that very few people will just stop at buying a big mac once they’re in the store, and will go for fries, cokes etc too. Big profits. Maccas should just sponsor a family day in the park or something with gold coin donation, so all the money can go to charity. And it’s true the radio stations don’t seem to be as keen to get behind it as in years gone by, as I think they now see through it. I remember the days of Marty and Erica from 104.7, and local TV weathermen etc all getting out there to help McDonalds flog burgers as a huge promotional exercise for all concerned.

There are many reasons for obesity, just as there are for any eating disorder. Judging people really doesn’t help.

Ari said :

Where did you get that picture of me? I don’t remember any cameras last time I was at Kambah Pool.

Ari, you are funny!

: )

Reality check – people eat MacDonalds all year round,If MacDonalds want to support a charity by donating proceeds from one or 2 days trade then so be it.

Eat Maccas if you want, if you do not, then don’t.

inlymbo said :

That mans pants? Are the McFatty equivalent of Schroedinger’s cat…you don’t want to see them if they are there and you certainly don’t want to know if they’re not…

It’s enough to put you off your Big Macs just thinking about it really.

If people don’t want to buy a burger, they can go to http://www.rmhc.org.au/home/default.asp and click the “donate” button on the top right hand corner. You don’t ‘have’ to eat to donate 🙂

Where did you get that picture of me? I don’t remember any cameras last time I was at Kambah Pool.

That mans pants? Are the McFatty equivalent of Schroedinger’s cat…you don’t want to see them if they are there and you certainly don’t want to know if they’re not…

123qwe said :

Think about the families that benefit from the donation that McDonalds provides.

No, I don’t work for them.

Yes, I have seen the benefits of one of their houses. When my child was in hospital for a year the nearby Ronald McDonald house helped many families to be close to their kids without forking out heaps of cash on rent.

Maybe next weekend instead of eating a burger at Macca’s, you could go up to the children’s ward at the Canberra Hospital and ask to volunteer for the day. Or better still enquire about volunteering permanently.

If you think this is in anyway an altruistic act by McLardburger, you seriously need you head examined.

FFS, people that whinge on and on about BS topics.

Why not stop then? Are you filling some inner need for attention by doing this in a subject you obviously despise?

This is probably the poorest rant I’ve seen on RiotACT to date. There are far more important things to soapbox about. Now, back to the thread about cutest checkout boys…

Tenuous link to Canberra.

Obesity epidemic is a euphemism for poor self control and/or poor parenting. Policy changes should be framed in that context, but unfortunately it’s too hard to regulate.

If you don’t want to eat it, then don’t. Simple concept. FFS, people that whinge on and on about BS topics.

Think about the families that benefit from the donation that McDonalds provides.

No, I don’t work for them.

Yes, I have seen the benefits of one of their houses. When my child was in hospital for a year the nearby Ronald McDonald house helped many families to be close to their kids without forking out heaps of cash on rent.

Maybe next weekend instead of eating a burger at Macca’s, you could go up to the children’s ward at the Canberra Hospital and ask to volunteer for the day. Or better still enquire about volunteering permanently.

Is that man wearing pants?

madocci said :

FFS stop mcdonalds bashing!

It’s better than eating a big schnitzel at a club for 10 bucks where your meal is being subsidised by the heartbreak of families from gambling addictions!

If you are going to eat a big mac in the month of november, this gives you a chance to do it without feeling guilty by all the “don’t eat bad food ever” carry on that goes on!

Always assuming that you have so little self respect that a gratuity to a charity takes your guilt at consuming such a vile concoction as a “Big Mac”.

Hey, here’s an idea why not build your self respect, while improving your health, and every time you feel your need for a grease burger, donate the money to a worthwhile charity instead?

FFS stop mcdonalds bashing!

It’s better than eating a big schnitzel at a club for 10 bucks where your meal is being subsidised by the heartbreak of families from gambling addictions!

If you are going to eat a big mac in the month of november, this gives you a chance to do it without feeling guilty by all the “don’t eat bad food ever” carry on that goes on!

Smart punters will donate directly to their charity of choice:

The benefits:
– You cut out the fat content
– Cut out contributing to the bottom line profits of McDonalds
– Get a tax deduction against your personal income tax for the effort.

You can donate directly to the charity. McSatan’s marketing is horrendous, and the marketing, sorry the rules around so called McHappy day are ridiculous. But RMH is a good charity, we had to use it recently and it made a tough situation a little easier. Other than the stupid clown in the foyer, there was no other promotion of McSatan’s in the house. Ban the fat, donate the fat!

apparently, if you buy a happy meal, they’ll donate 10 cents..

now, just convince your child that they really do want a fruit bag instead of chips..ha.