An intriguing flow of e-mails filled my inbox following a recent column concerning the zoning battle over McDonald’s on Colfax Avenue.
No, most writers weren’t crabby about the traffic, crime or zoning regulations.
Most of them focused on food.
One letter writer alleged that “a lot of the anger comes from the fact that McDonald’s is probably the lowest form of edible food.”
I suppose, we could argue about degrees of “lowest form” or “edible food.”
Yet, the writer went on to contend that “we should all fight to prevent the allowed zoning of ANY obviously unhealthy establishments. … We know, even a bakery can be unhealthy. But come on, McDonald’s is one of the worst offenders to Americans’ waistlines and thus their health.”
In reality, McDonald’s isn’t the worst offender – they aren’t an offender at all. Those who eat McDonald’s excessively are the offenders. And they only offend themselves.
After all, if we’re going to start punishing those who prepare unhealthy meals, half my extended family would be serving hard time in Leavenworth.
Dr. Mary Barry, a Physical Activity and Nutrition Fellow at the University of Colorado’s Center for Human Nutrition, focuses on prevention of childhood obesity. She believes that nutritionally we’re making progress – slowly.
“The fast-food industry has stepped up to the plate a little bit by offering healthier options,” she explains. “One of the things they are doing is offering choices that offer less fat content – healthier choices than the double cheeseburger, the super-sized options.”
The change will continue as market forces dictate – McDonald’s will be offering rice milk kumquat shakes before you know it. But even if the menu remains the same, there’s no excuse for habitually gorging on fries.
In his popular “documentary” “Super Size Me,” Morgan Spurlock gained 24 pounds and raised his cholesterol by 65 points by exclusively eating at McDonald’s for a month.
What most viewers of “Super Size Me” never saw was the story of Soso Whaley. A 49-year-old animal trainer, she embarked on an identical experiment. She, however, lost 18 pounds and lowered her cholesterol by monitoring her food choices – McDonald’s has salads and yogurt, you know – and occasionally exercising.
McDonald’s on Colfax won’t make you fat. Neither will Chinese food or Indian food or ice-cream shops on Colfax. Did you know that a venti Starbucks chai latte with whole milk has 398 calories?
Can you imagine the practical nightmare that zoning “unhealthy” food establishments would induce?
Barry thinks it could be a lot worse. “I always sort of say, we live in such a toxic food and sedentary environment. Everything dictates that we be inactive and eat when food’s available.”
Here, I disagree.
Whole Foods Market, it seems, can’t open super stores fast enough in the metro area. Fast-food outlets like Chipotle – owned by McDonald’s – are just one of the newer chains that offer a healthier alternative.
I can’t leave my front stoop without bumping into a jogger. I can’t drive to work without passing a gym.
Yes, lower-income folks have it a lot tougher. They can’t afford gyms, fancy health-oriented supermarkets. But traditional supermarkets offer vegetables, fruits and a healthy-food aisle.
Another correspondent told me he “experienced firsthand the vibrancy and distinctive character of many city streets, where Burger King and McDonald’s shut down due to everyone preferring the unique food offered by ‘alternative’ restaurants.”
Not everyone can afford “alternative” restaurants, but Colfax Avenue may one day transform itself into a snotty byway.
Until then, unless Ronald McDonald appears at my door with a shotgun, ski mask and a bag of Big N’ Tastys with Cheese, I’ll consider our arrangement reasonable.
McDonald’s exists and I eat elsewhere.
David Harsanyi’s column appears Monday and Thursday. Reach him at 303-820-1255 or dharsanyi@denverpost.com.
