Posted on 12/16/2005 9:30:21 AM PST by LA Woman3
Never mind that gorillas tend to be vegetarians. Burger King hopes to cash in on a certain blockbuster movie with a megaburger that boasts some of the most monstrous numbers in the fast-food jungle.
The King Kong-themed Triple Whopper checks in at 1,320 calories and 88 grams of fat – and that's without the fries and special King Kong chocolate-banana milkshakes.
You can almost picture the Triple Whopper atop the Empire State Building, swatting away the slings and arrows of the food police.
"That is a pretty big hamburger for lunch," said Robin Plotkin, a Dallas dietitian and nutrition consultant. "That's almost as many calories as many people need in one day, and well over the number of fat grams people need in one day."
The warning isn't new. It's one of the rituals that usually accompanies the release of a new big food product: bragging by the producer, finger-wagging by nutrition advocates, fretting about the nation's obesity problem, and munching by happy customers.
In a news release, Burger King Vice President Brian Gies said the new King Kong movie "was a natural fit for the Burger King brand. Now we have a Whopper sandwich that's sure to satisfy even Kong-size cravings."
The company did not make an official available for interviews Thursday.
Dr. Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said the new burger "confirms Burger King's position among the big chains as the worst from a health point of view."
"They have no concern whatsoever for their customers' health," said Dr. Jacobson, a longtime campaigner against junk food and for making nutritional information more easily available. "I think it's pretty pathetic that they have to do this to attract customers."
Those kind of denunciations make the Center for Consumer Freedom bite back with declarations that nothing should trump free will.
"The real debate is between people who think these options should be available to those who want them, and those who think they shouldn't be available," said Dan Mindus, a senior analyst with the organization, which is backed by restaurant and food companies.
Whenever a restaurant introduces an "indulgent menu item," Mr. Mindus says, "the food cops attack."
"People will eat what they want to eat," he said. "The entire movement to regulate and restrict our ability to eat a big cheeseburger assumes Americans are too stupid to make food decisions. If Americans are that stupid, we have a lot more problems than obesity."
If nobody likes the Triple Whopper, he said, "It will go away very fast. The consumer is in the driver's seat, and that's the way it should be."
Despite her dismay at what she considers yet another bad food choice, Ms. Plotkin doesn't disagree.
"Do what you want," the nutritionist says. "Just know the damage that you're doing."
In her corner of the food fight, she said, "The key is awareness. Our job is to educate.
"People are quick to blame the fast-food restaurants," Ms. Plotkin said. "But everywhere we go, we know these things are going to be out there tempting people.
"It's really up to the individual to take personal responsibility and find out what they're putting into their bodies."
The last megaburger controversy erupted last year when Hardee's, which has no stores in Texas, introduced the Monster Thickburger. It has two-thirds of a pound of beef, four strips of bacon, three slices of cheese and mayonnaise on a buttered bun. That adds up to 1,420 calories and 107 fat grams, which is still apparently the artery-hardening champion of the fast-food division.
"We're offering a niche product that some people like, and I don't think we need to apologize for it," said Jeff Mochal, Hardee's public relations manager. "If you don't want it, you don't have to order it. There are other products on our menu."
I am mortal, ergo invincible.
Personally I go for Carl's Jr.
Best!
No Kiddie BS there.
Sure, just limit yourself to 680 calories and 40 mg of cholesterol the rest of the day. (You'll have to go lo-fat tomorrow, however.)
Will be my lunch today.
LOL!
...which has 100 more calories and 14 more grams of fat.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
No, i don't need it or particularly want it, but I don't need or particularly want a Ferrari or Hummer, or Barrett either. Doesn't mean that they shouldn't be available for those who DO want 'em, right?
Wait, scratch the Barrett. I DO want one of those, or a 20mm AT rifle, or something huge like that...
Carl's (Hardee's for you East Coasters) IS good.
Couldn't believe how lame Wendy's burgers were in comparison.
Can you say:
GLUTONY
Now I love a good cheeseburger, but looking at this triggers my gag reflex!
Oh my gorsh!
Not a problem. Go with a friend, split the burger, skip the fries, drink water. You have now had a pleasant and inexpensive meal that gives you 660 calories - a completely appropriate amount.
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