food heresy

granted, this column from the Seattle Times, called "The Diet Detective," has some valid points, like moderation, but despite these cautions, it simply tells its readers to take all the fun out of eating. i find it utterly offensive. some excerpts:

"A few slices of bread and butter can add as many as 400 to 500 calories. If you can't limit yourself to just one slice, have the basket removed from the table. You can refuse it before it's brought out or ask for a plate of vegetables to munch on instead." maybe people should try to learn some self control, rather than running away from food.

"Avoid anything fried, creamy or served with a sauce and look for "broiled" or "steamed." If you're not sure how it's prepared — ask. Try oysters on the half shell (only about 10 calories per oyster), shrimp cocktail (about 22 calories per shrimp, including the sauce) or a broth-based (not cream) soup. Avoid salad sabotage by asking for the dressing on the side and sprinkle it on with a fork. Try fat-free or low-fat dressing, and avoid high-calorie add-ons like cheese or croutons." first of all, fried, creamy, or sauce-dressed things are fine in moderation. second, a salad includes the things it includes because it's carefully crafted to create a specific taste combination. take one of these things out and you ruin it. if you are allergic to something in the dish, or don't like one of the things in it, either order something else or take a leap of faith, be adventurous, and eat it anyway (this does not apply if you are allergic, though...).

"In fact, many of the steakhouses I called put either butter or oil on their steaks. But don't worry; almost all are willing to make them without if you ask." this is just wrong. you might as well give up on food right now and stick a needle up your arm to get your nutrients by IV. maillard is turning over in his grave.

"Never go to a restaurant without preplanning what you're going to eat." gosh, i guess this means that you're never going to a restaurant where they have no menu. what's the point in going out to eat something new, if you've researched it to death? eating at a restaurant is an adventure; if you plan everything out and refuse to be spontaneous, you're missing out.

"Ask yourself, 'Does the prime rib taste three times better than the sirloin or the filet?' because it often has three times the fat and calories," says Jayne Hurley, senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C." yeah, it does taste better - because of the fat.

"Save more than half the calories. These are typically the healthiest items on the menu, especially if you get the sauce on the side and they're not cooked in butter." that "sauce on the side" thing is just offensive.