Review of Morgan Spurlock's Don't Eat This Book
A Look into the Fast Food Epidemic in America
Jun 28, 2009
Morgan Spurlock filmed each step of an experiment in which he ate nothing but McDonald's fast food for each meal and in which he was required to say yes if he was asked if he would like to Super Size his meal. He was followed by a team of doctors and a nutritionist to see if eating a diet that consisted of nothing but fast food would be able to harm his health in a month. The results were startling as he developed numerous health conditions and gained a ridiculous amount of weight.
Super Size Me
Spurlock's documentary of this experiment, Super Size Me, ended up being a Academy Award Nominee and opened America's eyes to the dangers of eating too much fast food. Spurlock then went on to write the book Don't Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America. This book explored many issues ranging from fast food menus to the nutritional content of foods offered in American school cafeterias.
Lawsuits by the Obese
In his book Spurlock discusses lawsuits that have been filed against McDonald's and other fast food restaurants by obese individuals. Those filing the lawsuits wanted compensation for the damage eating at the fast food places did to their bodies. The book made the reader think about whether an individual should be able to sue for making the choice to eat unhealthy foods or whether fast food restaurants are responsible by making their food seem healthier than it is.
When is Food Not Food?
Spurlock talks about what is really in the fast food that Americans are consuming on a regular basis. He makes readers aware that just because an item is said to be made of beef does not mean the entire item is made of this.
Sugar Shock, Caffeine High
Spurlock discusses just how much caffeine and sugar Americans ranging from toddlers on up consume on a regular basis. When thinking about sugar in particular in terms of pounds per day or pounds per year the reader is bound to be shocked.
Diabetic America
Spurlock talks about how quickly diabetes is becoming a problem even in young children and the fast food industry's role in the rising number of diabetic individuals.
Corporate America
Spurlock makes readers aware of how many agencies are sponsored by food companies, even some agencies that regulate nutritional guidelines. He also lists a of food producing company who are partially funded by cigarette companies.
Lack of Nutritious Foods in Schools
Spurlock explores the issue of the health quality of school lunches and the contents of vending machines schools. Most schools serve food that are not much better in quality than those offered in McDonald's and have at least one vending machine that is stocked with sugar and caffeine packed sodas.
Lack of Nutritional and Physical Education
Spurlock addresses the fact that most kids are not getting enough physical activity in school and even physical education classes are not that physical anymore. He also discusses the fact that most children do not get enough education on nutrition in school and therefore are not really informed enough to know how harmful the food they are ingesting can be for their health.
Morgan Spurlock's book Don't Eat This Book is one that every individual should read and that parents should give to their children. It shocks the mind into realizing just how bad certain foods are and causes enough feelings of disgust to deter readers from buying fast food for quite some time.
Resource:
Spurlock, Morgan. Don't Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America. Berkley Books: New York, 2005.
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