Shamelessly exploiting my heritage for cheap conversation fodder

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I've decided to embrace my Americanism, at least in terms of ownership of my American eating habits.  It turns out, Europeans LOVE to make fun of Americans' unhealthy eating habits.  This is fantastic; I also love to make fun of Americans' unhealthy eating habits, but at the same time I probably have more unhealthy eating habits then 98% of Americans.  Most people go to McDonald's for their fried food.  Not me...I had a deep fryer in my kitchen.  Many Americans have heard of deep fried Twinkies; I've served them as a Super Bowl snack.  I've eaten deep-fried bacon on a stick.  I've hosted fryin' parties.  It's like a fondue party, but with a deep fryer, a platter of various foods, and a big bowl of beer batter.

::Quick side note about deep fried food::
Successes:                                   Failures:
- Twinkies*                                    - Strawberries*
- Candy Bars*                               - Cookie Dough
- Cookie Dough*                           - Peeps*
- Rolos*                                         - Noodles
- Cheese Curds*
- Pizza*
- Ice Cream
- Swiss Cake Rolls*                  Note: *indicates battered
- Hot dogs
- Hamburgers
::End side note::

When I heat up soup, I add a couple tablespoons of oil, partly for the flavor but mainly for the calories.  I ask for the nutrition information sheet at McDonald's so I can avoid the healthy choices (and then I get my fries well-done.  They test better when they have more time to absorb more of that delicious frying oil.  Also, I eschew the ketchup in favor of mayo.)  I have bowls of candy strategically placed around my apartments so I am never more than 3 steps away from a handful of sweet, sweet nirvana.
I actively avoid any diet or 'lite' food.

::Side note 2: My philosophy on diet food::
A diet product is never as good as the original.  If it was, it would BE the original, and they would change something else to make a diet version.
::End side note 2::

So I have an enormous pool of personal experience to draw upon in talking about how unhealthy Americans are.  Am I reinforcing a stereotype?  Absolutely.  Am I distorting peoples' perceptions of the eating habits of Americans?  Most likely.  Will I have a fun time doing it?  You better believe it.

No comments: