Forget raw food, small plates, Atkins, juice fasts, 'green' foods, or hot yoga.
There is a disturbing trend on the foodie horizon. Even the New York Times Style Section is buzzing about it, and it's not pretty my friends....
NEW TREND: Shock Value Food
This dangerous new trend involves shock value recipes, restaurants, television shows, menu items and even athletic events.
In this economy, more folks are turning to fast food as a dietary staple. Shock value food items clog fast food menus: Wendy's The Baconator-which contains 23 grams of saturated fat, McDonald's Double Quarter-pounder with cheese, Burger King's 1250 calorie triple Whopper with cheese or cleverly named Angry Whopper.
And the trend extends to television shows like Travel Channel's Man v. Food, where the host attempts food challenges like eating a thirteen pound pizza. And Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, where the host seeks out and eats the world's most bizarre foods.
Athletes are even jumping on the shock value bandwagon with the Krispy Kreme Challenge, a race which involves eating a dozen donuts mid-race.
There is even the shock value restaurant in Arizona called: "Heart Attack Grill." With its Quadruple Bypass Burger, featuring four burger patties on one burger.
And now the online foodie recipe community is embracing the trend:
The most emailed story on The New York Times?
"Take Bacon. Add Sausage. Blog." It's too disgusting to describe, but it's basically one of the most unhealthy meat recipes I've ever seen.
WHY???
Whenever a new trend hits society it is common to ask why? My review? Many people are turning to fast food in recent months. Fast food chicken eatery Chick-fil=A boasted a 12% profit increase last year.
So, if you've just eaten a Whopper or served your kid a Happy Meal, it might make you feel a bit less guilty to see a guy chowing a thirteen pound pizza. Or read about America's Worst Drinks, like Baskin Robbins Large Oreo Shake at over 2600 calories...
In the long run, this trend is not a good one. The media should be focusing on stories about how to eat healthfully and deliciously in tough economic times.
Splattering images of the Angry Whopper all over the place only makes people more apt to think:
"everyone is eating fast food, everyone is eating unhealthy, so I can too!"
Well FYI, I am not turning to fast food, and most healthy eaters I know are even more passionate about staying healthy these days. Shock value food is not lending anything positive to society, and we are becoming very desensitized to food portions in America.
It still shocks me when I see the huge portion sizes at popular sit down restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, and no one bats an eyelash. Lots of food is so commonplace in the USA. When you travel to Paris or eat out at a gourmet restaurant like Le Bernardin, and you will be shocked by the smaller portion sizes!
...the salad appetizer at Le Bernardin, now that is some shock value food I can embrace.
Bob says
This might be shock food to New York or California but not to middle America (sadly). This absolutely disgusting restaurant in Pittsburgh called Primanti's is on a Man V Food episode. The Yinzers LOVE this place - the most disgusting sandwiches you can imagine. Another restaurant/bar in Pittsburgh with a LONG line of Yinzers waiting outside to get in (100 people long sometimes)--- a place called "Fat Heads." It's a fitting name. Of course, both places are filled with unhealthy pot bellies. Cities in the midwest such as Pittsburgh are overrun by disgusting eating establishments that are embraced by the locals.
Jessica says
I remember when the Heart Attack Grill opened when I used to live in AZ. I was like "pffft! They'll be out of business soon. Who would eat at a place like that?" I also thought the same thing about Fat Burger. Obviously, I sadly misjudged my fellow Americans.I think the target demographic for these joints must be young males with high metabolisms who don't realize that being thin doesn't equal being healthy.
DJ Karma says
It's everywhere you look, and it's been there forever. What we need are more V.G. Burgers and healthy option, inexpensive fast foods, which are quite lacking in the world. Most people are either too lazy or too intimidated to make their own healthy food- that's a problem too!
Anonymous says
Whoppers don't shock me anymore. But the desserts at say Outback Steakhouse are huge. Is that shocking? Why do ppl cheer for them then? Is a huge giant soyburger shocking? Interesting thought huh?!LLV
AGriff says
I'm not really sure how anyone can eat this so called "shock value" food. I saw a tv spot where the reporter did a segment on that Heart Attack Grill and frankly it looked more like "sick value" food.. ugh!Thanks for posting...
Eric says
I see your point, but then I don't see your point either. I don't see anything wrong in indulging in something terrible for you every once and a while. If you eat stuff like this all the time then either you're stupid, don't care about your health, or superman.
I eat healthier than most, but I actually had some bacon explosion at a super bowl party and it was outstanding.
Eric says
I see your point, but then I don't see your point either. I don't see anything wrong in indulging in something terrible for you every once and a while. If you eat stuff like this all the time then either you're stupid, don't care about your health, or superman.
I eat healthier than most, but I actually had some bacon explosion at a super bowl party and it was outstanding.
Jessica says
I remember when the Heart Attack Grill opened when I used to live in AZ. I was like "pffft! They'll be out of business soon. Who would eat at a place like that?" I also thought the same thing about Fat Burger. Obviously, I sadly misjudged my fellow Americans.
I think the target demographic for these joints must be young males with high metabolisms who don't realize that being thin doesn't equal being healthy.
DJ Karma says
It's everywhere you look, and it's been there forever. What we need are more V.G. Burgers and healthy option, inexpensive fast foods, which are quite lacking in the world. Most people are either too lazy or too intimidated to make their own healthy food- that's a problem too!
AGriff says
I'm not really sure how anyone can eat this so called "shock value" food. I saw a tv spot where the reporter did a segment on that Heart Attack Grill and frankly it looked more like "sick value" food.. ugh!
Thanks for posting...
Bob says
This might be shock food to New York or California but not to middle America (sadly). This absolutely disgusting restaurant in Pittsburgh called Primanti's is on a Man V Food episode. The Yinzers LOVE this place - the most disgusting sandwiches you can imagine. Another restaurant/bar in Pittsburgh with a LONG line of Yinzers waiting outside to get in (100 people long sometimes)--- a place called "Fat Heads." It's a fitting name. Of course, both places are filled with unhealthy pot bellies. Cities in the midwest such as Pittsburgh are overrun by disgusting eating establishments that are embraced by the locals.
Anonymous says
Whoppers don't shock me anymore. But the desserts at say Outback Steakhouse are huge. Is that shocking? Why do ppl cheer for them then? Is a huge giant soyburger shocking? Interesting thought huh?!
LLV