Supersize Me

Posted by ryan at 01:27 PM in film . | 5 Comments

Playing at the Philadelphia Film Festival was a stomach turning documentary called Supersize Me.

For one month filmmaker Morgan Spurlock subjected himself to an all McDonalds diet. The diet had a few simple rules. He had to eat 3 full meals a day, he could only eat food that he could buy over the counter at McDonalds, during the month he had to eat every single item on the menu at least once, and finally, if asked to supersize his meal, he had to.

Spurlock was under the close watch of 3 doctors, including a cardiologist, from the weeks before he began the diet until he had completed it. Prior to starting the diet he was in perfect health, 6'1" 185lbs. The doctors told him he would probobly gain a little weight and see an increase in his triglycerides.

By week 3, all his doctors were urging him to quit the diet immediately. He had gained 20lbs, his cholesterol and blood pressure had shot up, and his liver was becoming "fatty and pickled." The damage to his liver was just as severe as the damage a binge drinker would experience.

During the month he travelled the country talking to various health experts, surgeon generals, lawyers and others related to food services. One of the most interesting trips was to a school for "troubled students" that decided to ditch its regular lunch supplier for one that only used organic foods, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, no beef. According to all the school officials, the change in diet had drastic changes in the attitudes and attentiveness of the students.

If you have a chance to check the film out, I highly recommend it. Interestingly enough, McDonalds has decided to phase out all supersize options by the end of the year.

On a side note, no film could take away my love for McGriddles.