Prince Charles calls for 'ban' on McDonald's

[Doondoo]

The Prince of Wales threw his weight into the debate about healthy eating today and told a nutritionist that the “key” was to ban McDonald’s fast food restaurants.

The controversial remarks were made as the Prince was in Abu Dhabi attending the launch of a public health awareness campaign aimed at fighting diabetes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He visited the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and watched as a group of children chose from a selection of “good” and “bad” snacks for their school packed lunches.

Talking to Nadine Tayara, a nutritionist from the centre who had put the children through their paces, he asked her: “Have you got anywhere with McDonald’s? Have you tried getting it banned? That’s the key.”



http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1447319.ece

[donco6]

1. You couldn't stop there.

If you're going to ban McDs, you have to ban Burger King, Wendy's, Good Times, Arby's, Taco Bell, KFC, . .. the list is positively endless.

[Sequoia]

2. No-o-o-o-o Not Arby's!

KFC would be better if they cooked the chicken all the way.

[donco6]

8. YES Arby's! And even the falafel guy on the corner!

It's all FAT FAT FAT.

But the point is, we just have to know what we're eating and what it's doing to us. I know I've turned away from the fast food places much more often lately. I just can't afford what it does to my arteries. But BAN it? I just don't see how it could work . . .

[Sequoia]

43. Actually, I haven't ate there in years because it's not close by.

[orleans]

30. kfc?? ha!

"Greenpeace volunteers displayed a 300 square metre banner on a soya plantation grown in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, accusing fast food company KFC of Amazon crimes. KFC is fuelling the destruction of the Amazon by selling cheap chicken fed on soya grown on deforested Amazon land. "

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/kfc-exposed-for-trashing-the-a?content%5ftype%5fkey=image&mode=related%2ditems

[Sequoia]

42. I had no idea. Chicken feed on soy? No wonder it's awful.

When KFC first opened, it was good. I'd go to church socials as a kid with long tables set up under the locust trees at the old white clapboard church and there'd be containers of it; all the homemade great fried chicken was ate last. Afterwards they're be fiddle and banjo plucking of good ole gospel music. Back when christians were happy and nice to one another.

[Taverner]

3. I hate McDonalds, and never eat there...but BAN them?

Besides, I've noticed they are offering some semi-healthy things lately.

My inner Adam Smith recoils in horror at the idea of banning food just because they are unhealthy.

[Ignacio Upton]

55. Adam Smith crusaded against Royal stupidity 200-odd years ago

Then, it was Mercantilism. Today, he needs to rise from the grave to tell Prince Charles not to put his foot in his mouth.

[GRLMGC]

4. I don't get why people eat there

I'm including myself in this group. The food sucks, the service sucks, and yet people still go. Maybe its the familiarity of the arch. Who knows?

[donco6]

9. Speed. Cheap. Open Late.

Munchies. Too drunk to cook. There are a thousand reasons.

[MGD]

28. McDonalds is great for those of us who are perpetually in a hurry to be somewhere.

I must confess, I eat there quite a bit. I really don't care for the food as much as I care about the speed and convenience.

[SemperEadem]

51. anything that would enslave me to the pharmaceutical industry

later in life because of health related issues that come from eating bad food is never a good reason.

[Generator]

17. The bathrooms

Seriously. What a advert no? I like the bathrooms on the road. They have multiple stalls, usually clean. Good place to take the kids into and when I need to go on the road-often just use that back door they have and skip the food. The only time we go to McDonald's actually, and of course, the kids worship McDonald's because of the TOYS and the happy meals and the fact that the only time we go there is while on vacation which is constant parent/grandparent/friend play time for them. Make something rare and it's a treat.

Also, they are EVERYWHERE. Which means you can always find a place to wee.

[Pastiche423]

20. Their bathrooms are the best wheelchair accessible of all

When on the road, I search for those golden arches to relieve my bladder. But I never eat there.

Several people have asked for my advice when building a new or renovating a business. I always tell them to check out McD's bathrooms 1st.

[dysfunctional press]

21. i go for the breakfast,but that's it. oh- and the asian chicken salad

number 2 with a medium coke.

they're both fantastic.

and the reason people go,is because you can go to any mcd's, anywhere, and know exactly what you're going to get. and some people apparently don't mind the food or the service. i certainly generally get good service at the drive-thru in the morning.

[springhill]

29. Because they have the best fries around........

And I happen to love their quarter pounder with cheese. The key is, I only eat there occasinally.

[SemperEadem]

52. that's because they put sugar in their fries

[customerserviceguy]

37. They have also sold a "comfort" image

Even notice how many Mickey D ads never even mention or show food? They've used Madison Avenue to tie themselves directly into consumer heartstrings, showing images of good times, good feelings. No doubt that's one of the reasons the kids seek them out. And I mean kids of all ages...

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[smalll]

6. First they came for the smokers, now they're coming for the fatties -

espcially with this coming from Charles at the same time we learned about the British government almost taking a child away from his parents because he is too obese.

[youngdem]

7. This guy is serious...fear him...consider how sucessful his ban on dentists was

:hide:

[AX10]

12. ROFL

:rofl:

[theoldman]

10. I must confess I like their French Frys. I eat them about once a

month. Moderation is the key to eating junk food.

[frylock]

22. try dipping those frys in a strawberry shake..

mmmmmmmmmmmmm... sacrilicious.

[Greeby]

11. Calm down, Charles is often like this

It's not like his pronouncements become British government policy. Only Mad King George can do that :eyes:

[goforit]

13. People need to empower themselves not be ordered by the Gov't

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

14. Unlike that well-known British Health Food...

Sausage Roll and Chips.

[musette_sf]

15. don't forget Bangers & Mash

[kskiska]

24. And Spotted Dick for dessert

[Retrograde]

49. and chip butties!

which are essentially french fries on white bread. I think this is a northern England thing, since I've never seen them in the south.

From spending a few weeks self-catering in England, I can attest that the English do have good food - just don't let them get it anywhere near a kitchen! Actually, it's improved a lot since the first time I was there in the early 80s - it's not as easy to get mushy tinned peas at every meal. I've had some good meals there, even many with vegetables that hadn't been boiled within an inch of existence.

[musette_sf]

53. sounds like the French Fry Po' Boy

which used to be available at Parasol's in the Irish Channel in NOLA.

Parasol's has reopened after the storm, but sadly the French Fry Po' Boy is no longer served there :-(

from wiki on po' boys:

"A unusual version, more common in the past than today, is the french fry po' boy. Made with fried potatoes and served with debris gravy, it was a less expensive option to meat."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Po'boy

[slackmaster]

16. Prince Charles is a bullshit assclown with no business making laws

You can bet he doesn't eat at Micky D's.

[cali]

18. Actually, I think he's a pretty thoughtful guy

who's genuinely concerned about environmental and health issues, even if I don't agree with him about McDonald's- though god knows the place is dreadful.

[harun]

33. Me too, one of the things the royals can do because they aren't

owned by the corporations like all our politicians are.

[slackmaster]

40. I haven't eaten at McD's in over 10 years

Yes, it's awful.

[Dave From Canada]

25. Exactly. I think Prince Charles needs to stick to paying taxes, which is somewhat new to him and

the rest of the royal family. Let everyone else worry about what they eat.

[Scooter24]

19. I just can't stand the majority of fast food places.

including McDonalds. Have no problem with those that do, it's just not my movie.

I rather have my meals cooked to order, and fresh, with healthier options to choose from instead of me having to blot the grease off a hamburger or pizza so I don't die of a heart attack by the age of 40.

Plus I rather enjoy have a size 30 waist. :P

[llmart]

35. I agree with you...........

I find I'm actually in the minority now because I'm not fat! Yesterday at a work meeting I looked around the table and only one other person wasn't overweight/obese. Then I thought about my entire workplace and realized that there are only a few normal weigh people - all the rest are fat, fat, fat!

I never eat fast food, but then I rarely eat out at all unless it's coffee and a bagel once a week at Brueggers. First of all, nowadays you never know who's in the back preparing your meal and what they have.

[lanlady]

23. a British fish and chips meal

probably has just as much fat as a McDonald's meal.

[tuvor]

26. Tell us what you find out and get back to us.

I have trouble believing any meal could be fattier than a Big Mac, Supersize Fries, a Shake and Choclatey Chip cookies.

[MGD]

27. The honey mustard grilled snack wrap thing is pretty tasty IMO and it is grilled chicken

Just use a little free will when you're making your choice at the counter. You don't have to get a Big Mac with fries and a shake every time.

[T_i_B]

31. Ah come on folks,

it's either this or Prince Phillip! :wow:

[BuddhaGirl]

41. LOL - after having seen "The Queen"

that Prince Philip is an asshole!

"Move over, Cabbage!" ROFLMAO!

[T_i_B]

47. You don't need a film to tell you that!

Prince Phillip is well known for making daft remarks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Phillip#Controversial_remarks

[truthisfreedom]

32. No he didn't.

He didn't "call" for a ban on anything.

[donheld]

38. Tell it to Timesonline

:shrug:

[sweetheart]

34. Maybe he can start his own restaurant to better them

Macdonalds serves a huge market in the UK, of people who need food who
don't have the time to cook or the facilities, or the situation.
And those needs simply will not go away.

What charles is recommending will affect poor people more than rich, as
they are the ones more likely to be eating at macdonalds to start with.
So if he really gives a toss, and he's not just talking, he should use
his money to form a nationwide food chain in britain that serves 24 hour
healthy organic food.

He can call it 'bonnie prince charlies'. :-)

[T_i_B]

36. No point in that...

....given that he already sells his own organic food.

[sweetheart]

39. in relation to the critique

I would expect him to speak with substance, as i agree with him in
one sense, fast food in britain is dodgey. If i *have to*, the chippies
are more likely to use real potatos as their chips, and real fish.

But really, if every person in britain had reasonable access to a
24 hour restaurant serving healthy food, then a supply side change
would bring about a departure from drink culture for health culture.

Build it and they will come. But just trashing macdonalds is not the
way. Prince charles could, if he went for it, lead a national initiative
to make sure young people and working people who have less time to cook,
and quite possibly, no cooking skills, access to a proper cooked meal
when they need one, no matter what schedule they keep.

Pubs don't do the hours, and the combination of drink is not healthy,
and limits the hours because of it... Prince charles could buy franchise
rights from 'the good earth' in california, to use its menu, and combine
these with a dennys-style clean family-friendly eating area, helping to
provide deprived areas of britain with the first class organic cooking
they deserve.

[T_i_B]

44. Who on earth wants healthy food at 2am?

When people chuck out of nightclubs what they tend to demand chips and kebabs, healthy food does not come into that part of it. Mind you, you don't see too many 10-year olds outside kebab shops at 2am so late night food so in relation to childhood obesity what you are saying is irrelevent anyway.

The food Charles sells is the sort of food you cook yourself (or have a servant cook for you), and I think what he's getting at is that we choose the easy option of fast food instead of cooking meals ourselves. The main problem with the arguments of the likes of Prince Charles and Hugh Fearnly-Whittingsall is that they forget that most of us are on a budget and can't afford the sort of stuff Prince Charles sells.

[sweetheart]

45. good tasting and healthy can be the same

There is nowhere to go out on a budget, like 'dennys' in the US, where a full
meal can be had for a few dollars; where working class and pensioners can
afford to eat out... and amazingly, drunkpeople are usually hungry at 2 am
and do well with the opportunity to sober up over food. Long ago when i worked
a job waiting in a dennys like that, there was a fight between the staff for the
priviledge to work the "2am rush" as the drunks were known to be generous tippers.

I know a lot of people who would like a good meal at 2 am that they don't have
to cook themselves; other people who won't take their kids to a restaurant serving
alcohol, and all sorts of people on ships and odd jobs that require a super-early
breakfast... and people who have drinking problems who would like an option of
going out to eat where drinking is not on offer, even if you can't sleep or are
so deeply engrossed in a novel, you want a midnight breakfast to read by.

I spent hognamy in perth a few years ago, and the only food joint that was open
was macdonalds. I ate there for 3 days, waiting for tire repair places to re-open
for a double flat on a snowcovered bit of sharp steel in a parking lot. Like me,
the people in that place who had no cars, had packed out that macdonalds.

[T_i_B]

46. You are missing the point...

...the food people eat when the pubs chuck out is kebabs, which are neither healthy nor good to taste, (as can be seen by the fact that very few people eat kebabs when sober). And here in the UK drunks at 2am are certainly not good tippers (although some of them do think themselves good fighters)

And no, the fact of the matter is that if you want good food at 2am you might as well prepare it well in advance, either that or give up on whatever substance it is that you are abusing and start living like a normal person.

[sweetheart]

50. or perhaps you are

There is that stereotype of the only person wanting food at 2am being
a substance abuser, as the supply-side has created 'macdonaldisation', supplying
only crap kebab food that a drunk might find tasty, and creating a culture
of rude unpleasantness around late night kebab shops that hardly makes them
a romantic date.

I'm suggesting that maybe being a night-owl is not the same as being a lush,
and there is not anyone seriously targeting a decent non-alcohol related place
for people to meet up at odd hours. If the government wants people to work
all the time, and it pays them not enough to cook or eat well, the least it
could do is make sure every briton has a quality food available to him or her
nearby their home, at reasonable price without alcohol.

But it seems the government prefers the health problems this drink culture creates,
and the health problems the poor diet of so many people who can't cook and eat
too much salt and packaged foods for it.

Hey, people can drink themselves in to the ground and puke all over the city
centers, but to say that the issue is drugs is missing the point, the issue is
a culture of drunkenness has usurped city centers from the other civilians who
might use the time and space differently.

[jaksavage]

48. Cheap Corn Makes it possible

So in amurka we subsidize corn and it has become a huge corporate entity. Nafta made our cheap corn flood the mexican market, which killed off 2 million family farms in mexico, which resulted in mexicans streaming across the norther border in record numbers, to work in fast food. Meanwhile in mexico, now that ADM owns a majority of their market, the prices for corn, that we subsidize, is going up.
Due to the abundance of cheap corn food outlets, many citizens find fast food to be the answer to tight budgets and time. But the fact that 60% of amurkans are over weight has nothing to do with any of this.
We have so far to go.

[Raine]

54. MacDonald's "food" is GARBAGE

it should be banned just for being crap but in reality I know that is never going to happen.

EDITED: to add quote marks to "food". :evilgrin: