What happens if you eat at McDonalds for a month? Three things. Your body gets fat. Your liver gets fatty. And you have a big hit film on your hands. Independent producer Morgan Spurlock filmed this award-winning movie last year on a shoestring budget, restricting his diet only to foods served over the counter at McDonalds whilst his vegan girlfriend looked on in horror. His body weight increased by more than 10%, he started feeling sick and lethargic, and various health professionals were urging him to give up well before the end of the 30 day experiment. He survived, but it took him over a year to get back into shape afterwards. And you can read his blog here.
The film's not officially released until Friday (note to American readers: yes, I know you all saw it 4 months ago) but I went to a preview in Greenwich yesterday. Yesterday morning actually, there's dedication for you. It was almost a private screening, or at least it would have been for the other member of the audience had I not arrived. Super Size Me is an arresting film, mixing burger-munching with hard-hitting documentary. The message is really rammed home by a volley of statistics, computer generated graphic sequences and scary shots of obese American lardarses. All this makes for a surprisingly uncomfortable film that makes you question your own diet, particularly if you're sitting there feeding your face with a large hotdog, popcorn and cola combo.
Immediately outside the Filmworks cinema in Greenwich lies a very typical McDonalds restaurant. Yesterday lunchtime it was busy filling up with families who hadn't been to see the film, exposing their children to unsaturated fats and sugar. I resisted buying anything to eat or drink, which wasn't difficult, but I did go in and pick up the 40-page nutritional leaflet hidden at the rear near the toilets. It makes for interesting reading. For example, four Quarter Pounders contain more calories than the recommended daily intake for women. One slice of processed cheddar cheese contains six different E-numbered ingredients. Chicken McNuggets are only 53% chicken. One large serving of Coca Cola contains more than 50 grams of sugar. And, after detailed further analysis, I can bring you the diamond geezer guide to the McUnhealthiest of all:
Most fat-filled burger: Big Tasty (51g)
Most sugary burger: Big Mac (12g)
Most fat-filled breakfast: Double Sausage and Egg McMuffin (37g)
Most sugary breakfast: Pancakes and Sausage (58g)
Most fat-filled salad: Chicken Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken, dressing & croutons (30g)
Most sugary salad: Crispy Chicken with dressing (11g)
Most fat-filled dessert: Cadbury Chocolate Donut (16g)
Most sugary dessert: McFlurry - Crunchie (43g)
Most fat-filled drink: Large chocolate milkshake (13g)
Most sugary drink: Large banana milkshake (81g)
