Teacher Eats Nothing But McDonalds for 90 Days...Loses 37 Pounds...Cholesterol dives from 249 to 170

[Cali_Democrat]

It seems the reason Super size Me documentarian Morgan Spurlock gained all that weight during the 30 days he consumed nothing but McDonald's wasn't because he ate too much Golden Arches — but because he didn't eat enough.

Science teacher John Cisna of Ankeny, Iowa, decided to repeat Spurlock's infamous experiment, but rather than subsist for an entire month on just Mickey D's, Cisna went in for an extra two.

At the end of the three-month challenge, Cisna discovered something super surprising: He was healthier than before.

Not only had he lost 37 pounds, but his cholesterol took a significant dive, from 249 to 170.

Cisna's secret was that, rather than gorge himself with whichever menu item caught his eye, he made careful selections, and never surpassed 2,000 calories per day.

http://gawker.com/teacher-eats-nothing-but-mcdonalds-for-90-days-gets-s-1495404545

[targetpractice]

1. He started exercising and significantly cut his calorie intake. Not surprising. n/t

[JI7]

2. he watched his calories and kept it in control, mcdonalds has salads also

[Vashta Nerada]

3. He stuck to his 2,000 calorie diet and exercised.

The title is misleading because it makes one assume he was eating burgers and fries all the time.

[Cali_Democrat]

10. He did eat burgers

From link:

"So this isn't something where you say 'well he went to McDonalds and he only had the salads. No, I had the Big Macs, the quarter pounders with cheese. I had sundaes, I had ice cream cones," he said.

[Dorian Gray]

42. That's true

But I think that Spurlock's documentary implied that you can't eat healthy at McDonalds.

I wouldn't choose to diet the way this man did. Not a fan of salads at McDonalds. (I only like their plain burger and fries) But it can be done if you pay enough attention to what you put in your mouth. (If you don't have a metabolic disorder, of course.)

[Marr]

49. Exactly-- you could lose weight on a diet of lard and ice cream if

you kept it below your body's maintenance level for calories.

The problem is that with calorie dense foods like those found in fast food restaurants, most people eat considerably more than their maintenance calorie level before they feel full. A 1500 calorie meal is not even particularly large at a place like that.

[Schema Thing]

4. Whenever I've been on a "see food" diet, going vegan makes me feel better, quick!

That said, so does cutting my calories in half, and still eating most of the same crap.


But going vegan or something close to it, with tons of greens and fruit, really does make a bigger and quicker difference in the way I look and feel.

[longship]

27. But vegans don't eat cheese, milk, eggs, ice cream.

Nothing better than fried eggs in the morning. Or devil led eggs anytime.

And pizza just isn't pizza without cheese and meat.

You choose your diet; others will choose theirs. But Homo have been omnivores for millions of years. We evolved that way. Ever notice where vegetarian animals are in the hierarchy? Mostly, they're food.

[Schema Thing]

29. man didn't evolve eating pizza. Or deviled eggs.

Or any kind of eggs every day.

Or any kind of meat every day.


Be an omnivore if you want, just don't be a fucking idiot about it - is my motto

[longship]

32. Not an idiot. But not an ideologue either.

I don't care if people eat meat or not. But vegans some how have to advocate for veganism.
When they do so in a public forum, I respond accordingly.

And BTW, mammals have likely been eating eggs since mammals first evolved. And humans would likely not be what they are without eating meat. There are putative early human ancestors who were veggies. They died out. All in the human line were omnivorous. Your claim is busted.

Share recipes and research. Inform. That's fine. I like many of the recipes (but often add butter.). But if you want to advocate for vegan, keep it in the vegan forum. It does not belong in GD anymore than religion belongs there.

[JanMichael]

40. others disagree with you. Don't be so sure of yourself

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/07/23/human-ancestors-were-nearly-all-vegetarians/

Yeah, meat every now and then- but, it's only recently that daily meat became the norm in western countries.

[longship]

41. That's true, I agree in part with your post.

But Homo did not get through an ice age eating veggies.

And I like veggies.

[demwing]

63. Just because you're not a vegan

Doesn't mean you're not an ideologue.

On that topic, a big WOW for your post! Uncompromising! Dogmatic!

Sounds like the words of an ideologue to me.

[Marr]

50. People ate a lot of bugs, too.

I assume you don't eat those.

[Atman]

5. I have a friend who wrote a book about this.

He made of video of it, too. Not the best quality, all self-published, but his results were similar. He actually LOST weight. He says Spurlock's stunt is full of crap. Not that McDonald's is GOOD for you, just that it won't automatically cause you to turn into a lard-ass either.

[Initech]

16. Yeah Super Size Me may have its faults...

But one thing that didn't? This one extra on the DVD. They took fries from a bunch of various fast food places and put them in mason jars and let them sit for a month. At the end of the month, all the fries showed signs of mold and decay like they should. Guess which order of fries didn't? If you guessed McDonald's, you are correct. I didn't eat McDonald's for a year after watching that.

[jmowreader]

25. Take a closer look at McDonald's fries

Mold needs moisture to grow. If you want fries to turn moldy after they've been sealed in a mason jar, they need to be those thick, fluffy fries like Burger King sells. McDonalds sells shoestring potatoes; by the time they're cooked the moisture content is as low as potato chips...which don't get moldy either.

[Marr]

52. They're also slathered in salt.

Most of the other places seem to let you add the salt yourself-- but McDonald's puts it on as a matter of course.

[NoOneMan]

6. publicity stunt

stupid fodder

[dionysus]

24. the point wasn't that you can eat all the fast food you want and lose weight. he had his students

research the nutritional info and make a menu based on a 2000 calorie diet.

[HockeyMom]

7. People got on my case for being 98 lbs

at work 40 years ago. So to stick it to them I would eat Big Mac meals, Hot Fudge Sundays, Pastrami Sandwiches, etc., and let them WATCH me eat.

Fast forward decades and 2 kids., menopause, and I am still the same weight. Genes, genes, genes.

[angstlessk]

8. Yes, I am sure metabolism is very genetic..but it also kicks up each time one eats

For someone to lose weight they need to eat many times per day...but not stuffing themselves...just a little food here and there.

The skinniest people I know always had snacks in their drawers...EXCEPT...instead of eating all the cheese crackers in the pack..they ate one or two...then back into the drawer for the next snack several hours later....

and washed it down with water..not soda...saw many water bottles in the skinny's drawers and never a coke can...

Can I say SKINNY? And not offend anyone?

[HockeyMom]

60. Yes, that is what I normally do

I eat little amounts throughout the day, including my main meals. I don't remember the last time I had a coke. I drink bits of water throughout the day, besides COFFEE (just milk no sugar).

Probably more, I cannot SIT for long periods of time. I have to be moving. Working in an office many, many years ago drove me crazy being tied down to a seat. I switched careers and worked with disabled adults and children; pushing wheechairs, picking them up, changing diapers, etc. ANYTHING so I would not have to do nothing but SIT for hours on end. Maybe THIS is also a factor?

[ailsagirl]

61. Soft drinks are my nemesis

I used to love Coca-Cola. Now I wouldn't drink it if I were dying of thirst.

I did a little research-- it's toxic stuff

[Dorian Gray]

43. I think I hate you!

Just kidding. I wish that I had your genes and metabolism. You're one lucky hockeymom!

I have to work at watching calories and going to the gym.

[Beaverhausen]

9. So he ate salads and not Big Macs

[Cali_Democrat]

11. Not Necessarily

From link:

"So this isn't something where you say 'well he went to McDonalds and he only had the salads. No, I had the Big Macs, the quarter pounders with cheese. I had sundaes, I had ice cream cones," he said.

[Beaverhausen]

22. Ok thanks. But he kept under 2000 calories

which Spurlock did not do. I'm really not so impressed.

[foo_bar]

12. I thought you were kidding on that other thread

How often do you eat at McDonalds?

3 times a day <...> breakfast, lunch and dinner.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023963335#post1

Out of curiosity: were you kidding? Is this a diet of necessity or choice, or is this the latest fad diet, or are you affiliated with Mickey Deez in some capacity that involves sampling their wares on a continuous basis? (no judgement: I'd eat at Chick-Fil-A three times a day if they weren't owned by Satan, and if there were any franchises within 25 miles, and if I didn't feel utterly sick afterwards.)

[Cali_Democrat]

15. LOL

I forgot I posted that.

[foo_bar]

19. that post left a lasting impression on me, apparently

I did see the Spurlock documentary back when, and while I was a bit skeptical about McDonalds's power to bring an otherwise healthy person to the brink of death within one month, it piqued my scientific-or-otherwise curiosity, so I was hoping you had some kind of anecdote on the subject.

[DemocraticWing]

13. Science can't be ignored.

3500 calories=1 pound. Doesn't matter what kind of food you eat to get there. Burn 3500 more calories than you take in, and you lose a pound. There are exceptions of course, but the basic science can't be ignored.

[Cali_Democrat]

17. Bingo

It's the difference between calorie consumption and burning.

Bottom line.

[Captain Stern]

30. "Science can't be ignored." LOL...Stop it...you're killing me.

There are lots of folks here that ignore science, and do it well. You sir, stand corrected.

[Demo_Chris]

14. Good to know! I am forced to eat tons of disgusting fast food...

And welcome healthier options.

[Logical]

18. Where are the McDonalds haters? Calling this person a liar? n-t

[woo me with science]

20. Cool. A new corporate commercial.

It does not surprise me that Big Macs are easier to defend than the NSA and the TPP.

[LisaL]

21. You can eat twinkies and achieve the same result.

As long as you decrease your calorie intake.

[FreeState]

23. Exactly - thats why Weight Watchers works

It limits your calories for the day. You can get your calories how ever the hell you want to - ice cream, beer, deep fried foods etc. But going off the diet means eating more calories than are allowed rather than any food your may be eating (with WW its points that correlate to foods nutrition, but same idea).

[Shoulders of Giants]

26. You can eat great at McDonalds, or eat terrible with food bought from Whole Foods.

Both are the exception though, not the rule.

[madville]

28. I go to McDonald's for a low-carb lunch

Sometimes if I get stranded on the road at work without my lunch.

$1 menu:

Side salad with Ranch 190 calories
McDouble Cheeseburger (discard the buns) 230 calories
Free water

Total of 420 calories, around 10 net carbs and $2.14 with tax. Average person could eat that 4 times a day, exercise a bit and lose weight pretty steadily.

[reformist2]

31. So stupid. He's either getting paid by McDonald's or is looking to cash in somehow.

[Mopar151]

38. only stupid people call things they don't understand stupid.

[reformist2]

44. I understand what he did perfectly - it was a stupid publicity stunt.

The only thing I don't know is whether someone put him up to it or whether he did it all by his lonesome.

[rdharma]

33. So why did he stop after 90 days? nt

[KentuckyWoman]

34. probably sick to effing death of McDs

[JI7]

37. most people get tired of the same food every day , even if it's something

they really like.

[treestar]

35. There was a study I read about awhile back

Maybe on DU. The guy experimented by eating only junk food, but eating very little of it, counting the calories. His point was that it is the calories that matter most, to counter all the stuff you hear about protein and carbs and such.

[LisaLynne]

51. That I agree with.

I wish there was some "trick", but I think it just comes down to the boring, old "calories in/calories out" thing. :/

Now, eating all junk food, you aren't going to get all the vitamins and stuff you need, clearly, so you wouldn't be "healthy", but I can see how you'd lose weight.

[hadrons]

36. This only proofs that ....

if you watch your calories intake and exercise you'll lose weight ... the problem with this study is that this teacher's eating habits don't match the eating habits of most people who eat McDonalds; if he can super-size it three times a day and lose weight I'll be impressed.

[Mopar151]

39. Which is exactly what the experiment was intended to prove.

McDonalds will make you whatever YOU order - and the calories are posted on the menu board. You can eat as badly from any supermarket, and worse from most other fast-food chains. At least Micky D's makes a fetish of cleanliness and food safety.

Most Americans are taught to overeat from childhood, by having adult portions plunked in front of them and being hounded to clean their plates.

[randome]

45. People are addicted to food.

When you stop seeing every meal as some culinary parade, you learn to eat what you need to survive. This stunt with McDonald's proves nothing.

As I'm fond of saying: Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.

I'm 55 with a size 30 waist. And yes, I'm rather smug about that at times!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Rules are made to be broken. Including this one.[/center][/font][hr]

[flvegan]

46. Let me see if I have this right...

For 90 days, eating for free, he went from an obviously lethargic lifestyle of questionable dietary choices to eating a relatively moderate "diet" at a place that serves food while taking up 45 minutes of exercise a day.

"Cisna said he isn't surprised at the weight loss because he wasn't exercising or watching his calories before..."

Yup, McDonalds is the answer.

And I love the new tan in the "after" photo. Nobody has EVER done that before in an attempt to look healthier. But, credit where it's due, exercise and taking nutrition into account, treating food as fuel (as it should be) is a responsible way to live. Captain Obvious approves of this message.

[Silent3]

47. Besides the fact that it wouldn't be all that healthy in the long term, I'd be hungry all the time..

...if I tried to eat nothing but McDonald's while sticking to a strict calorie budget. One of the things I've found about healthier food choices (for myself, I consider that to mean lots of vegetables, fruit, some whole grains, yogurt, moderate portions of lean meats, a little cheese and a few nuts and/or a little peanut butter, etc.) is that calorie for calorie, they're more filling and satisfying.

At McDonald's, it wouldn't be hard for me to put together a single meal of 2000 calories or more that I could easily gobble up in one sitting, and still be hungry for more soon after.

To the extent that McDonald's has a few somewhat healthier choices, their salads, for example, don't have nearly the variety of vegetables I want in a salad. What remains would get boring very fast. (Of course, I realize the guy conducting the experiment wasn't actually recommending doing what he did.)

I currently exercise so much that I eat around 3500 calories/day while maintaining a consistent healthy weight. If I'm going to indulge myself with some of those calories, however, I'd rather eat ice cream or cheese cake or chocolate chip cookies than go to McDonald's. My most recent burger indulgence was at a Five Guys.

[randome]

48. Yogurt isn't all that healthy, actually.

It's one of those 'foods' that many see as a panacea, like popcorn and diet soda. But the rest I agree with.

Embrace the hunger.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[Silent3]

53. I eat one to two cups (well, 6 oz. servings, recently shrunk to 5.3 oz) of Greek yogurt daily.

Last edited Sun Jan 12, 2014, 12:22 AM - Edit history (1)

One with breakfast, and often a second helping (with things like high-protein granola typically added) as an evening snack. Whether or not it's coincidence, and maybe other dietary changes are the key, my digestion is much, much better than it used to.

Since I've lost 85 lbs while eating yogurt like this, have kept the weight off, have really low cholesterol with a great HDL/LDL ratio, all my other blood numbers are good, great cardiovascular health (my doctor rated me at less than 2% risk of heart attack or heart disease over 10 years, well below the typical 8% for my age of 51), I have lots of stamina for running and climbing, etc., I can at least say that even if yogurt isn't optimal nutrition, it certainly couldn't be doing me much harm.

[randome]

58. I hear you. Different strokes for different folks!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Precision and concision. That's the game.[/center][/font][hr]

[RedCappedBandit]

54. The point isn't McDonalds, people.

The point is that you can eat the foods you enjoy, whatever they may be, so long as you're not over eating. A diet where you're deprived of your favorite foods is doomed to fail. Counting calories or macronutrients works.

[itsrobert]

55. Simple secret to weight loss

If you burn more calories than you eat, than you lose weight. Not hard to understand.

[Egalitarian Thug]

56. McPravda piece, why is anyone shocked?

The real question, IMO is why would anybody bother to read this, let alone spread it.

[99Forever]

57. Wonderful.

I'll pass on the crap McDonalds calls "food" and serves anyway.

Pink slime isn't on my menu, thanks all the same.

[pansypoo53219]

59. yeah. super size me, he supersized when they asked.

[Xyzse]

62. It makes sense, he stuck to the formula of never surpassing 2,000 calories a day.

Spurlock just gorged himself with whatever was given, and if he was asked to super size he would.

The difference was the intent.

One set out to prove that they will become unhealthy by eating just whatever, and more if offered.
The other set to prove that they can be healthy by sticking to a diet plan.

Same food, different intentions.