Southerners Aren't Fat from Fried Chicken

by Bev Sklar (Subscribe to Bev Sklar's posts)
Jul 13th 2009 12:00PM

Photo: foodistablog, Flickr

Mississippi continues its five-year streak as the fattest state, snapping the fat-race tape with a 32.5 percent obesity rate. And neighboring Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama round out the top four members of our nation's Chunkiest Club. Yet TIME Magazine says it's not the steaming Southern fried chicken that's making these sweltering states obese. What gives?

Forget Fried/Fatty Foods. Southerners don't dip biscuits into gravy every day. Chicagoans love deep-dish pizza, but it's typically a rare treat. One obesity expert from Tennessee reports there's no research from the Southeast pointing the finger at the Southern diet.
The Poverty/Processed Foods Link. With 21 percent of residents below the poverty line, Mississippi is poor. The most impoverished region nationwide, the South has an overall poverty rate of 14 percent. The region's poor, rural neighborhoods have a convenience store on many corners, but quality grocery stores are often far away. Fruits and veggies are pricey. Yet Montana, Texas and New Mexico are poor states with low levels of obesity.
Fatty Transportation. The South's minimal public transportation has people jumping into their cars instead of walking to the bus stop. Narrow roads and a lack of sidewalks are not exactly welcoming to walkers/joggers, either.
The Heat Debate. Southerners walk slowly in the summer for a reason, it's hot outside. Skinny Colorado has a temperate climate. Is the heat a major fitness barrier?

No doubt, a processed food diet triggered by rural poverty plays a role, as does a lack of fitness-friendly paths and public transportation. But the Hot State Excuse just doesn't fly. From October to April, Mississippians have seven months to get outside and get moving to help offset the primary cause of obesity -- eating too much. Replacing fried with oven-fried chicken won't necessarily help Southerners -- they need to put down their forks.

Outrageous Fast Food

Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, 3-Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, whole dish

Calories: 1460
Fat: 56 g
Sodium: 2840 mg

You know it's mac and cheese and you know it's surrounded in calorie-loaded carbs, but did you know this deceptive dish counts as two servings? And that's probably why this order puts you near your daily fat allowance and way past the recommended daily salt intake. If you have the willpower -- eat one serving, or half the bowl!
*Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.

Rachel Been, AOL

Domino's BreadBowl Pasta, Chicken Alfredo, whole dish

Calories: 1400
Fat: 50 g
Sodium: 2140 mg

If you're craving chicken alfredo, and you happen to be at Domino's, consider ordering their bread-less version. In comparison it contains a lighter 600 calories, 29 fat grams and 1080 mg of sodium.

*Note: The nutrition information isn't available on Domino's Web site. AOL Health requested the information from Domino's directly.

Rachel Been, AOL

Quiznos Tuna Melt, large

Calories: 1760 calories
Fat: 133 g
Sodium:2120 mg

If you want to stick to the government's health guidelines, eat this over the space of two days or you'll go overboard on fat. And hold the dressing on this one -- it'll save you 370 calories and 40 fat grams. Yikes!

Melanie J. Kramer, AOL

Wendy's Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich

Calories: 470
Fat: 24 g
Sodium: 930 mg

Don't let the "premium" and "fish" in the name fool you into thinking this new order is lean. For a truly lighter option from Wendy's try the Grilled Chicken Go Wrap, which contains 260 calories, 11 fat grams and 760 mg of sodium.

Rachel Been, AOL

Ruby Tuesday's Boston Blue Burger

Calories: 1466
Fat: 98 g
Sodium: Not available

This burger contains more than a day and a third's worth of fat grams -- or a fat content equivalent to four meals. It also contains about three-fourths of a day's worth of calories, and who knows what Ruby Tuesday's doesn't want you to know about the sodium content!

*Nutrition Information varies by location.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Dunkin' Donuts Waffle Breakfast Sandwich

Calories: 390
Fat: 23 g
Sodium: 1000 mg

While this bad boy doesn't compare to the train wreck of a breakfast platter from McDonald's (see slide 22), do you really want to eat nearly half a day's worth of sodium for breakfast?

Keith Morrison, AOL

Ruby Tuesday's Veggie Burger

Calories: 1007
Fat: 53 g
Sodium: Not available

Okay, this is a tough one to understand. Store-bought veggie patties like those available from Garden Burger, Boca Burger and Morningstar Farms, usually amount to about 100 calories and 5 grams of fat without any fixings. Which begs the question, just what kind of fixings is Ruby Tuesday's adding in? To be fair, this meat-free version is lower in calories and fat than most of the other burger options available from Ruby Tuesday's.

*Nutrition Information varies by location.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Ruby Tuesday's Kids' Mini Turkey Burgers and Fries

Calories: 873
Fat: 46 g
Sodium: Not available

If you're watching your weight while eating out, you might think that the kid's menu is a safe place to order from. That's not necessarily the case at Ruby Tuesday's. While the kids' minis are certainly lighter than their adult counterparts, they also contain about 70 percent of the fat adults should consume in a day.

Note: Dietary recommendations for calorie, fat and sodium intake are not available.

*Nutrition Information varies by location.

Keith Morrison, AOL

Hardee's Monster Thickburger

Calories: 1420
Fat: 108 g
Sodium: 2770 mg

This monster tops out your daily fat and sodium. Talk about scary!

James A. Finley, AP

Burger King Steakhouse Burger

Calories: 950
Fat: 59 g
Sodium: 1950 mg

This new BK burger packs half the calories and nearly all of the sodium and fat you should have in one day. If you eat it, don't even think about ordering a side of fries. A small order would tack on an extra 340 calories, 17 fat grams and 590 mg of sodium.

Keith Morrison, AOL

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Comments (85)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

Liz Christmas 7-13-2009 @ 1:51PM

I think we need to make fast food francises more accountable for the things they put into the food to make it so loaded with fat and calories. Just look at the picture of the Bread Bowl how can they serve something like that to anyone and feel good about it? there should be some laws in place as to the limit of fat and calorie in fast foods.

Lala 7-14-2009 @ 9:42AM

It's not the restaurants fault. If your overweight and all you eat is fast food, STOP EATING FAST FOOD.

Sarah 7-14-2009 @ 8:44PM

Right, let's make the fast food places more accountable than we are ourselves? The fact is, if we want a change in our appearance and eating habits, we need to take responsibility to make that change. If I am going to go out and get a Bread Bowl (like the one pictured), perhaps I will only eat half of it, rather than hoover the whole thing and wash it down with a super-mega-soda pop. The restaurants job is to make delicious food. The point is, it is our job to know when to say no.

frank bernard 7-13-2009 @ 8:38PM

Blaming fast food companies for the peoples' obesity is just plain stupid. Nobody is forcing anyone to eat it. We all know what is healthy and what isn't. The choice is with the consumer.

Kathleen 7-14-2009 @ 3:28AM

No, we DO NOT need more government intervention in our lives. for God sakes listen to what you are saying!!! PEOPLE are responsible for their own choices. The food joints would not make it if no one bought it. As the article says, people just need to put down their forks. It is that simple. The government is already interfering with our private lives too much. Government is NOT the answer to everything!!!! We don't need more!!

Cat 7-13-2009 @ 10:38PM

People have to be accountable for their own eating habits and actions. They choose the food and the quantity. The fast food places don't force feed them. You can get salads at most fast food places. Why should the restaurants have to burden the fat. Yes, they could do more, but they also list their calories, etc. On the other hand, junk food may be the people's only joy...think about it. Ever been poor? Not much to look forward to. So what if you get fat. Who cares?

slimsarah08 7-13-2009 @ 11:52PM

I agree, you have to control portions!

Dave Aurand 7-14-2009 @ 12:06AM

It's no ones fault when people stuff their face. They must take any blame associated with obesity. Fast food places only sell what people want. If no one buys the product, then it won't be served. Have you ever heard of portion control, proper eating etc.? This country has more laws then it needs.

Jeff 7-14-2009 @ 2:31AM

I'm sure if food at fast food restaurants served food with half the calories you would just eat twice as much. There isn't anyone forcing you to eat fast food. Go run a couple laps or something. Fast food won't make you skinny and neither will smoking! Stop holding your breath hoping that McDonalds will solve weight problems. But, if you are insistent, just jog to the one that is farthest from you (10 miles or more). Order what you want, stretch out a little while you are waiting or you won't be able to move after eating. Get a big Diet soda to wash it all down with and then just Jog home. Best of luck to ya!

netter 7-14-2009 @ 3:11AM

personal accountabilty is the answer... no one forces this food down thier throats.. they make bad choices.. they know the food is bad for them but they eat it anyway.

cathy 7-14-2009 @ 8:59PM

No, Liz...we don't need more laws. I live in the south....very close to Mississippi (Memphis, Tn) and I can tell you ....we need exercise. I am a bit overweight now that I am 57 and it is not due to porking out nor constantly eating high calorie foods...my problem is that I don't get the exercise I once did....I need to exercise....I don't need a law to tell me that or put me in jail if I don't....

brandi 7-18-2009 @ 12:47AM

Or you could just be an adult and regulate what you eat. I mean you do have to get up, to get it or cook it, then make the choices to eat it. But what do I know I have just maintained my size for the past 10 years when I lost 8 sizes.

Chef Alfred Schrader 7-13-2009 @ 5:52PM

I was there 45 years ago at Harland Sanders first successful KFC. The man was a genius. I ate food he prepared that no one today has ever tasted - incredible. But, I've taken fried chicken to new levels you would not believe. Chef Alfred Schrader

KATE 7-13-2009 @ 8:44PM

JUST SLOWLY PUT DOWN YOUR SPOON -- AND NOBODY WILL GET HURT.

tiffanee 7-13-2009 @ 10:49PM

lol !

yewah 7-13-2009 @ 11:35PM

bahahahaha

Jonathan 7-13-2009 @ 11:41PM

O I N K

Brittany R. C. 7-13-2009 @ 9:08PM

We have a fast food joint on every corner of the street and it's become ridiculous. My biggest problem is with child-hood obesity. It's sad to see that a parent would let their kid get to be so huge, when they should be out running aound in the yard or at a playground. Not inside the house playing video games and eating ho-ho's. That is just horrible. I think we should cut some of the fast food places out and add more places that serve more organic food and have an open market with all fresh fruit and vegetables and that also helps the local farmers out which is a great thing. At the same time, those that choose to eat fast food know the consequences, but then they want to blame the corporations for them gaining weight when they are the ones that decided to to east there. It's just as easy to go home and cook a healthy meal and plus, having a family dinner brings them closer. More families need that now a days because has been proven that it helps the family in many a different ways. Don't blame the fast food people, but at the same time they could change the menu and make it to were it can and really should be more healthy. This country is obese enough as it is. The next generation is getting even worse and I see more and more kids that are the same size if not bigger than adults and it's a very sad, sad thing. So, stop blaming them if you are going to continue eating there. If you do, then apparently you do not care about your health. Don't blame others on your short-comings. Next time you crave a big juicy burger or whatever it is that your wanting to eat, go for something that you know is good for you. It's not hard to find. Quit whining about your weight and do something about it. If you don't, then the only person you can blame is yourself.

Elise 7-13-2009 @ 9:16PM

I think it is harder to be fit in the south because of the extreme heat in the summer and you can't really walk anywhere.

I live outside of Dallas and I know that I have to be very cautious about working out in the summer time because of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Even in the mornings and evenings, it is much too hot to be outside for long periods of time.

Another thing that inhibits us from staying healthy is that it is almost impossible (at least where I live) to walk anywhere. The cities must be set up differently here or something because the only places I can walk to are in my neighborhood, so I have to drive if I want to go anywhere else. It is also not safe to walk here because, although there are sidewalks and crosswalks, people in cars aren't really expecting anyone to use them. We have a train system, but the station is too far to walk to so we have to drive to the station to use the train.

I know these reasons are no excuse, it is harder to be healthy in the south in my opinion.

kcajax 7-13-2009 @ 9:27PM

It's not just the heat. The northern states probably have longer cold winters then the summers in the southern states. At least if its hot you can workout early in the morning or late at night. You don't have that option in cold regions and mid day is when most people are a work.