MADreads

Bring on the deep fried deliciousness!

May 29th, 2008 Molly - Central

Did you know that Kentucky Fried Chicken is the most requested last meal for death-row inmates?  This is just one of the many interesting tidbits that I gleaned from Eat This Not That, the bestselling guide to smarter, healthier food choices written by David Zinczenko, the Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health.

While I was not surprised to discover that the KFC mashed potato bowl with gravy, cheese and popcorn chicken is on the NOT list, the deliciously crunchy and seasoned regular chicken tenders are OK.  You just have to order them with green beans and corn on the cob.  The fact that any deep fried foods are on the OK list was surprising to me, but hey, I’ll take that knowledge with me to the grave.  I will also be packing a picnic basket full of hot fudge sundaes from Dairy Queen (OK!) and Croissanwichs from Burger King (also OK!).

The favored foods in this book are not based solely on fat grams and calories; they also take into account sugar, sodium, carbs and overall nutrition.  Zinczenko’s claim to fame is the Abs-Diet, of which I know nothing, but the OK foods are preferred for flatter, leaner abs.  The dining out selections are also based on each restaurant, so a NOT THAT! meal at one restaurant may look similar on paper to an OK meal at another, which just means that there are better options at that particular place.  Likewise, a NOT THAT! meal at a sit-down restaurant may look outrageous, but if you only eat half when you are there and eat the other half for lunch the next day, it might not be that bad.  What I found terrifying were all the grossly fatty salads out there. I like to think that if there are vegetables involved, it is all good, but this is really not the case.  Goodbye Fandango Salad, I loved you so, but it was not meant to be.

This is the type of book that you test drive at the library to see if it would be of any use to you, and then you buy it and keep it in the car.  I always run into trouble when I am out and about, usually picking up stuff at Target, and my husband says, “Let’s drive-thru at Arby’s.”  It would never occur to me that eating the Super Roast Beef would be a better choice than a Market Fresh Sandwich, but now I know.  And rest assured, this book is not all about fast food joints and chain restaurants.  Some of the other food categories covered include candy, snacks and convenience foods, food for kids and holiday menus.

I wish I hadn’t read the pie chart, however.  If you are a pecan pie lover, you can cry on my shoulder.  I’ll be the one weeping openly from now until Thanksgiving.  Then it’s all good news: according to the chart, pumpkin pie is quite healthful.

Entry Filed under: Nonfiction