Times have changed. Everybody and their mom knows that back in the day having a little extra junk in the truck, if people other than Sisqo still use that term, was grounds for medieval hottie status. Your ponderous figure was a sign of wealth and those skinny little serfs were a dime-a-dozen. Fast forward to USA 2007. The highest rates of obesity are now among the population groups with the highest poverty rates and the least education, while wealthier people tend to be slimmer, more toned, and probably sport better manicures.

What gives? Cheap food tends to be shitty food. Who among us hasn’t dropped way more than we’ve intended on a fresh fruit binge at Whole Foods? A cash strapped consumer can get a Big Mac Meal at McDonald’s for under five bucks, which also buys them well over 1,200 calories and crazy amounts of saturated fat. The real cost of the meal, in health problems, not to mention skinny jean stress, is well over your crisp fiver. Come on, we’ve all seen “Supersize Me”. A grilled chicken salad at Au Bon Pain will probably set you back seven or eight dollars, but it’s a small price to pay for fresh greens, lean protein, and not having your arteries instantly harden from inhaling a grim burger and grease soaked fries. Ew. Read More »

Life is dangerous. There are hidden calories lurking around every corner.

Okay, I’m only getting so worked up about calorie counting because I’m on the Body by Glamour Plan, which has promised to help me tone up and slim down in time for swimsuit season. I heart Glamour. It’s like Cosmopolitan, only it doesn’t suck. Fancy that.

Anyway, the folks at Glamour recommend about 1,500 calories a day, so I’m keeping a food log to track just what goes in my mouth. It’s genius really. The log of pain single-handedly prevented me from inhaling a handful of Chips Ahoy earlier today.

But to get to the point…Today I was perusing the online menu for Au Bon Pain to decide what I wanted to get for lunch today and I discovered something shocking, something which filled me with fear and loathing….in my dorm.

Those seemingly healthy sandwiches, the really good ones with all the fresh looking ingredients, a plethora of cheese choices, and that delicious crusty bread….they are like death. Well, I don’t know about death, but if you’re looking to spend about…400-500 calories on your lunch, most of these sandwiches are out of your price range, plus they are filled with fat! Read More »