Dieting

I can't remember who, if there indeed was anyone in particular, came up with the saying that what goes around comes around.

But once again the proof is in the pudding. Of course that pudding has to be non-fat or low-fat, and have damned few, in any, carbohydrates.

In recent months the Atkins Diet, debated for years and years by doctors, nutritionists and dieters of all shapes and sizes, has taken our obese nation by storm. Ironically, the famed doctor died only several months after the new wave of Atkins enthusiasm gained so much momentum.

The fact is that so many people have jumped on the low-carb bandwagon in the last year, that if that bandwagon where to pass through any truck scales, lights would flash, bells would ring and the cops would take it off the roadway.

Before any of you start thinking you're going to jump on me about dieting, let me set you straight: I am as guilty as anyone about not always eating healthy as I could or should. I've gotten better in recent years at least to the extent that I'm more aware that I'm being bad. And I swear it is true that I'm not as bad as I used to be.

But pholks, I admit to having a problem with this over indulgence on the low-carb thing. It's getting out of control. McDonald's, long the icon of fast-food was one of the first, if not the first, companies to push the "Happy Meal", a gimmick who forced billions of moms and pops to drive through the Golden Arches so the kiddies could get a meal with a toy of some dumb gizzmo, puppet or stuffed creature. Everyone jumped on the special meal thing. There were "Kids Meals" and just about every adjective imaginable aimed at luring the kids to lure the parents into the drive-up window lanes or through the doors plastered with posters touting that week's or month's special treat.

Some kids even ate the burgers and fries, or chicken fragments, but not before digging out the "prize. Fish and Game officials call that practice "chumming' Corporate fast food America calls it "a great bottom line."

Well pholks, it is the adults who are the targets of this chumming. Now we have "Adult Happy Meals" designed to, according to McDonald's corporate spokespersons, "promote the importance of food/energy balance. This Happy Meal for adults includes a Premium Salad, water and a Stepometer so consumers can track their daily steps."

But wait, there is more. Not only do we get a prize (notice I did not use the term adult toy) but we get "a brochure that promotes walking as an attainable-and effective-exercise goal."

But wait pholks, there is more.

Ronald's corporate honchos are providing all of us the opportunity to mix and match these special meals. The new offering include "Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices) served with a low-fat caramel dipping sauce and beverage choices." Choices such as 100 percent pure apple juice, white and chocolate 1 per cent Milk Jugs in child-friendly containers." Don't get me wrong pholks, I think this is a good thing . At least a step in the right direction. My problem is that the whole thing is going to get out of control faster than Jack can jump out of his Box with his Senior Jack Combo or Wendy will be depicted with gray hair. There will be a glut of low-carb meal gimmicks.

And just imagine the battles among American families motoring down our streets as parents, grandparents and kids attempt to eat right while on the run. It will happen and I really want no part of it. Give me my fries and my diet soda. Cram the Stepometer.

What goes around, comes around. It's just that it's in the drive-through lane. And you better be prepared to answer this question: Want to Super Size that Apple or how about a Jumbo water––gramps?

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