Super Size Me vs Fat Head
So I watched Fat Head last night. It was a movie trying to disprove Super Size Me. They did a pretty good job at it (showing that Morgan's calories just didn't add up to what he said they were), but I did disagree with some of the stuff they said. They said that people aren't stupid and that everyone knows that McDonald's isn't good for you.
Well I beg to differ because I know PLENTY of people (and argued with many as well) that say that McDonalds is perfectly healthy, and they say most fried foods are as well. He tried to make a point by showing that when the clerk asked him if he "wanted fries with that" that he simply said "No, thank you." and then he looked at the camera and goes "See, it's as easy as that." Well, no it's not, sir. Not for people who are addicted to food. It might be easy for HIM, but it may not be "that easy" for some other people.
Have any of you seen this movie (or both Super Size Me AND this movie [Fat Head]??). I ended up having to turn it off because he started pissing me off by saying that everyone on Earth has that common sense that McDonald's isn't good for you. Well, no, not everyone does.
Opinions??
Well I beg to differ because I know PLENTY of people (and argued with many as well) that say that McDonalds is perfectly healthy, and they say most fried foods are as well. He tried to make a point by showing that when the clerk asked him if he "wanted fries with that" that he simply said "No, thank you." and then he looked at the camera and goes "See, it's as easy as that." Well, no it's not, sir. Not for people who are addicted to food. It might be easy for HIM, but it may not be "that easy" for some other people.
Have any of you seen this movie (or both Super Size Me AND this movie [Fat Head]??). I ended up having to turn it off because he started pissing me off by saying that everyone on Earth has that common sense that McDonald's isn't good for you. Well, no, not everyone does.
Opinions??
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Replies
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I haven't seen Fat Head but now plan to check it out. I find it unbelievable that someone would argue that just saying "no" is that easy. You have peeked my curiousity.0
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I agree with you. Morgan's plan was extreme, but it proved his point. This other show sounds like somebody who is a little too over competitive, bullheaded, & ignorant.0
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I haven't seen it, only Super Size Me, but I would probably feel the way you do. The point of Super Size Me was to show that the same health effects Morgan Spurlock developed in a short period of time from eating nothing but McDonald's are likely to develop in people who eat that kind of food frequently. And it was also meant to open our eyes about the state of processed foods in general, as well as the stat of our public school's lunches. Morgan's experiment was done more for shock value than actual proof.0
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I've not seen either but I think you hit on a more important note, rather than he is wrong, there are people who think McD's is healthy, there are more people who are simply addicted to food, even food they know or are told is bad for them. Studies have shown that in some people food ignites the same parts of the brain that are ignited when a drug addict takes a hit. So even if they know fast food is bad, it IS hard for them to say 'No, thanks' when the guy behind the counter asks about fries.0
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I actually enjoyed Fat Head, we watched it just the other night. I'm not addicted to food so I guess I'm not a good one to be answering. I can say no to something I know is bad for me and I can also make healthy choices, even when bad ones are staring me in the face.0
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I've not seen either but I think you hit on a more important note, rather than he is wrong, there are people who think McD's is healthy, there are more people who are simply addicted to food, even food they know or are told is bad for them. Studies have shown that in some people food ignites the same parts of the brain that are ignited when a drug addict takes a hit. So even if they know fast food is bad, it IS hard for them to say 'No, thanks' when the guy behind the counter asks about fries.
Wow I didn't know that.0 -
I haven't watched Fat Head, but I have seen Super Size Me a couple times now. All Fat Head is essentially going to do is give the green light to all this disgusting food because somehow, now it's okay.
I'll admit I do eat fast food, but in as little quantities as possible. It makes me feel so terrible. I remember in the movie something about how the fast food gives you that high, then you come crashing down a couple hours later. Couldn't agree more!
I do think it's a dangerous attitude to have for someone who has a food addiction. Sometimes it has to be an all or nothing deal. You either give every little bit of the food up, or you won't be able to stay away from it.0 -
I haven't watched Fat Head, but I have seen Super Size Me a couple times now. All Fat Head is essentially going to do is give the green light to all this disgusting food because somehow, now it's okay.
I'll admit I do eat fast food, but in as little quantities as possible. It makes me feel so terrible. I remember in the movie something about how the fast food gives you that high, then you come crashing down a couple hours later. Couldn't agree more!
I do think it's a dangerous attitude to have for someone who has a food addiction. Sometimes it has to be an all or nothing deal. You either give every little bit of the food up, or you won't be able to stay away from it.
I've had to give up every little thing that is bad BECAUSE I can't stay away from it. It's much easier for me to say no than to try and eat just a little. I used to think I could drink JUST one cup of coke, but that led to another that led to another. I had to finally just say no more.0 -
I haven't seen it. I personally have never met anyone who thought McDonalds was good for them but more they didn't care that is was bad. I'll have to check it out, It keeps coming up on my netflix instant cue0
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I think its important for people to learn HOW to say no.Its not up to the world to change due to someones addictions.I know a little bit about addiction having been a 17 yr drug user(which by the way is half my life)
Since I quit there have been several ocassions where I have been in the room while people were geting high and I said no.
you can never truly overcome an addiction unless you learn to have it infront of you and not give in.
you have to make the choice to not feed your addiction and are not truly over it if you just hide from it. IMO
So I dont fault him for saying people just need to say no because i agree with it0 -
I do think it's a dangerous attitude to have for someone who has a food addiction. Sometimes it has to be an all or nothing deal. You either give every little bit of the food up, or you won't be able to stay away from it.
I've had to give up every little thing that is bad BECAUSE I can't stay away from it. It's much easier for me to say no than to try and eat just a little. I used to think I could drink JUST one cup of coke, but that led to another that led to another. I had to finally just say no more.
This time around I've noticed that I have a bit more self control. I really think the site has helped me (or maybe just loggiing calories in general). Normally, I was like that as well - "I'll just have this one...ok well there's another in the fridge and I was saving it for tomorrow butttt......"
It's hard. It is very hard, especially for people who are addicted to food. I was/am not an emotional eater. Food just tastes freaking good!! Even after a month of eating perfectly healthy except for chocolate here and there I still have STRONG urges to go out and buy a big ol' cheesy pizza. And to be honest, I have a fight with myself on whether or not to do it. But then I think "Do I really wanna log these calories?" lol
The movie is definitely worth watching, and I may watch the rest of it some day, but it was pissing me off so bad lol... I wanted to smack him. I mean he did make many valid points, but also made many stupid ones.0 -
I have not seen "Fat Head" but you have peaked my curiosity. I did see "Super Size Me" some time ago. I remember while watching it, it brought up some valid points that the everyday consumer may not be aware of, such as the sodium and fat content, along with the difference in the size of the products over the years.
At the same time I thought the movie was pushing his agenda to extreme. Nobody holds a gun to anybody's head and forces them to eat fast food. It is up to the individual to educate themselves and take accountability for their actions and their health.
Healthy people live with the same fast food restaurants on practically every corner and shop at the same stores as everyone else and I realize that some people are at a disadvantage depending on the circumstances in which they were raised, but there comes a point when one is an adult and looks in the mirror and decides to take accountability. Those who suffer with addictions are at a disadvantage, but with the proper tools and resources (such as this site) they can be successful and take control of their addictions instead of the other way around.0 -
I haven't seen the movie but where you find one side of a spectrum (Super Size Me) you will always find the other end (Fat Head) trying to disprove the idea. Unfortunately, it's really a political pi**ing match. It's very sad that health has become tangled in the battle between left and right. I could go on and on but this isn't the forum for it.0
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im watching it right now and tend to agree with most of what he is saying Mc.Donalds dosent have to change....we do.0
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im watching it right now and tend to agree with most of what he is saying Mc.Donalds dosent have to change....we do.
Don't get me wrong, I agree too with that point. The part that pissed me off was that he kept saying that -everyone- knew fast food was unhealthy. I have a daily argument with my boyfriend who says I could eat pizza all day long and its good for m as long as I work out enough to burn the calories. Some people just don't get that not all food is good for you.0 -
I suggest that you do watch and finish Fat Head. Why would you be offended by him saying that? Who's responsibility it to choose what we put in our body? It both mine and yours. Most of the film revolves around doctors and other professionals talking about how cholesterol, carbs, (sugars), fat, etc., and explaining how they work in your body. In fact I would suggest you watch both Super Size me and come up with your own opinion.
At the end of the day no one makes you eat, drink, snort or inject anything. The first step, whether is be food or drugs, is a that you you take responsibility for your own actions. I do speak from experience by the way in all of those excluding shooting up. If we continue to blame advertising or other people then we will always have a problem. At the end of the day all of the fast food places, can and will be available, as they should be. They run a bussines and guess what their priority is to make money. We live in a free market (kinda). I would rather have choices rather then regulations. Thats what makes this great country just that -GREAT! At least so far.0 -
The simply 'Saying No' part was only a small part of the movie.
The bigger issue Fathead was trying to get at was we've been fed a lie that Saturated animal Fat is what's bad for us, when it turns out that sugar and to some extent grains are what's fattening. All of the things that were suppose to make us thin (like Snackwells) is worse than what we were eating before. Corn and Crisco are not what the human body was built to run on. It's much better to get animal fat, coconut fat and fruits and vegetables. His point is well backed up. Google: bitter truth about sugar
It's certainly worth a watch all the way through even if you don't share his belief that people can take care of themselves.0 -
i actually watched fat head yesterday too!! i agree more with the fat head guy than i do morgan spurlock. morgan REALLY took it to the extreme, i thought. all the fat head guy was saying is that you can still eat fast food and still lose weight AS LONG AS YOU KEEP IT UNDER YOUR CALORIES and yes, you do still have to get some exercise in. there were a few things i didnt agree with, but for the most part i agree with him more so than morgan spurlock.0
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I enjoyed fat head. You can watch either of the mentioned documentaries and points will made that make lots of sense or none at all.0
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"Fathead" was a tremendous eye-opener for me. Had you finished the movie, he actually went into the science of why people crave crap food and the mechanisms of why we get fat from it. It wasn't just to show-up Morgan Spurlock, support fast food, or show that people know that fast food is bad for them. For those of you unwilling to have an open mind and watch it, there is a lot of "science" out there on which our food pyramid and a great portion of weight loss strategies are based. The science is FLAWED.
Tom Naughton is one of the few people willing to buck the trend and break down the science. I highly suggest for those of you out there really concerned about heart disease, diabetes, weight loss, and high cholesterol to watch this, and then DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Think critically about what is out there and if it makes sense to you.0 -
Fathead set out to make a few points and did so very well. i think the Supersize vs Fathead part sends a clear message of learn, use your brain, and use some self control. Kids may not know it's not good to indulge in it, but adults certainly should, especially if they have children. Don't forget, if you used the food pyramid to pick a fast food meal, it certainly appears fast food can run on the healthy side. Meat, grains, potato, and hey, a side salad or a little fruit to cover that base. Then my special treat of ice cream etc.. because I've been good.
If you're an addict. Get your butt in therapy. Addiction is not an excuse!0 -
The science is very flawed. I would say completely backwards. Invest in a book called Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes. He blows the calories in/calories out thing completely out of the water. Carbs drive insulin and insulin drives fat storage. Protein and fat do not cause fat accumulation; carbs do. This man spent 5 years gathering research and evidence. The book contains 17 pages of very valid resources and if you want to read through those resources then get the book Good Calories, Bad Calories - if you like scientific reading.
I have seen Super Size Me. I have not seen Fathead. I know now that I don't need to because I have the necessary information to ensure I will not end up obese, diabetic, or sick.0 -
I have seen Super Size Me. I have not seen Fathead. I know now that I don't need to because I have the necessary information to ensure I will not end up obese, diabetic, or sick.
Yes, if you read Taubes or anything else on what's wrong with the Lipid Hypothesis or the role of Insulin. Fathead would be purely for enjoyment purposes. It's like an educational comedy. Very funny at times.0 -
I have seen Super Size Me. I have not seen Fathead. I know now that I don't need to because I have the necessary information to ensure I will not end up obese, diabetic, or sick.
Yes, if you read Taubes or anything else on what's wrong with the Lipid Hypothesis or the role of Insulin. Fathead would be purely for enjoyment purposes. It's like an educational comedy. Very funny at times.
I was reading what Free Range posted on the other thread and I was actually thinking about checking it out just for some good laughs. I can always use a good laugh.0 -
See and I watched Fat Head and it changed my perspective on EVERYTHING! 28 pounds in 2 months different! Carbs may not be the issue for most people but for me as soon as I increased my fat and protein intake and lowered by carb intake I felt 1000 times better and although I still stumble and get caught up on carb binges that last for days I am still making leaps and bounds progress than I ever did before with low fat, high carb eating.
There was more than one point to Fat Head. Yes he hates Morgan Spurlok (who cares) but his other point was that you don't have to be a vegan or vegetarian and if anything they hurt your body composition. Nutrition is not one size fits all so if it doesn't fit for you, put it back on the rack. Don't ***** and complain that it doesn't fit you. You wouldn't do it with clothes so don't do it with advice or other people's opinions.0 -
Let’s see Spurlock, vomited because he couldn’t stand the food, he said “glad that is over so I never have to eat that crap again” after his month was over,,,,, and then said it’s addicting?????? Does that makes sense to anyone,,,,,,, anyone? Yes I got that from Fat Head, but it’s a good point.
Also after Spurlock was done, it took him four months to lose the weight he gained from eating McDonnell's, four months of eating a vegan detox diet prepared by his vegan chief wife? And Fathead lost weight eating fast food for a month, but keeping his calories in line and staying under 100 carbs.
IMO Spurlock is a hack vegetarian and was thoroughly outed by Fat Head.0 -
The science is very flawed. I would say completely backwards. Invest in a book called Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes. He blows the calories in/calories out thing completely out of the water. Carbs drive insulin and insulin drives fat storage. Protein and fat do not cause fat accumulation; carbs do. This man spent 5 years gathering research and evidence. The book contains 17 pages of very valid resources and if you want to read through those resources then get the book Good Calories, Bad Calories - if you like scientific reading.
I have seen Super Size Me. I have not seen Fathead. I know now that I don't need to because I have the necessary information to ensure I will not end up obese, diabetic, or sick.
I think you're confused on what Fathead is promoting - which is exactly Taubes' view of fats and carbs. He makes a point of eating at fast food restaurants but keeping his carbs under 100 grams in order to lose weight. He mentions Taubes' book several times, and if I remember correctly, has a snippet of Taubes explaining something. In other words, they are in total agreement.
Or maybe I'm just totally misunderstanding your post!0 -
The science is very flawed. I would say completely backwards. Invest in a book called Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes. He blows the calories in/calories out thing completely out of the water. Carbs drive insulin and insulin drives fat storage. Protein and fat do not cause fat accumulation; carbs do. This man spent 5 years gathering research and evidence. The book contains 17 pages of very valid resources and if you want to read through those resources then get the book Good Calories, Bad Calories - if you like scientific reading.
I have seen Super Size Me. I have not seen Fathead. I know now that I don't need to because I have the necessary information to ensure I will not end up obese, diabetic, or sick.
I think you're confused on what Fathead is promoting - which is exactly Taubes' view of fats and carbs. He makes a point of eating at fast food restaurants but keeping his carbs under 100 grams in order to lose weight. He mentions Taubes' book several times, and if I remember correctly, has a snippet of Taubes explaining something. In other words, they are in total agreement.
Or maybe I'm just totally misunderstanding your post!
My thoughts exactly... Actually, come to think of it, I think he recommends reading the same book (Good Calories, Bad Calories) in Fathead.
I was actually a huge fan of this movie. While it was quite funny, it was also based on sound logic and scientific back up. I learned quite a bit my watching this. I had heard about the whole cholesterol and heart disease myth before but never really understood it. I really liked how he used plain English and cartoons to get his point across. I really agreed with the message he was promoting. Not that everyone should eat fast food to lose weight/be healthy, but that even if you do CHOOSE to eat fast food, it is ultimately your choice what you eat and if you make it a healthy choice.
I highly recommend this documentary!0 -
The science is very flawed. I would say completely backwards. Invest in a book called Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes. He blows the calories in/calories out thing completely out of the water. Carbs drive insulin and insulin drives fat storage. Protein and fat do not cause fat accumulation; carbs do. This man spent 5 years gathering research and evidence. The book contains 17 pages of very valid resources and if you want to read through those resources then get the book Good Calories, Bad Calories - if you like scientific reading.
I have seen Super Size Me. I have not seen Fathead. I know now that I don't need to because I have the necessary information to ensure I will not end up obese, diabetic, or sick.
Other then then the parts on the lipid hypothesis the rest of GCBC and Why We Get Fat is a bunch of cherry picked science mixed with a little bit of fantasy. for instance fat can be stored without the presence of insulin, wait wut?
among other takedowns of the Taubes nonsense, this is a pretty good one
http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2011/08/carbohydrate-hypothesis-of-obesity.html
As for the movies;
Supersize Me = eat in a caloric surplus and gain weight
Fathead = eat in a caloric deficit and lose weight
not really groundbreaking there0 -
I also started to watch Fat Head and was so disgusted I had to stop midway thru. This guy has no clue what he is talking about. He either is trying to gain fame by discrediting an acclaimed movie or works for McDonalds. How else can his comments be so absurd. I remember watching Super Size Me in 2007 and didn't touch McDonalds for 4 years, I relapsed last year but I'm back on schedule. Fathead star Tom, is out of touch with society. He should watch movies like Food Inc, and Forks over knives, maybe he can get a clue. I researched the calorie intake of the meals he described and find it funny that he trust McDonalds to tell him what calorie are in there food, since they have no incentive to make them on the low end of calorie scale. The Quarter pounder with cheese calorie count fluctuates from 510 to 580 depending where you look and for every packet of ketchup you use, just add about 15-20 calories per meal. Fathead is the prefect name for him and his movie.0
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