tricky, tricky, tricky…

September 14th, 2009, by Zach

Three PRIME examples of how marketing campaigns will try to snuff your progress.  You'll notice the first example may seem fine... Look closer!  The last two examples should be blatently obvious.  If they are not then you are dumb.

What. The. Fuck?

Here you will notice that this specimen of Avocado has been genetically re-engineered to yield "50% less fat AND calories".  Who gives a "F" about the calories?   Why would you take my fat away?  That's why I friggin' eat Avocados!  Now, my once healthy choice, has been Frankensteeeeeen'd into a potential catalyst for my body to progress a degenerative disease!  Damn it!

Here you will see, again, the display of "1/2 the Fat". Guess what? If you compare Edy's Brands, this supposed healthier option has more sugar. Well, that's based on my poor memory so check for yourselves. That is, if you can control yourself in the ice cream isle! Anyway, back to my story, this packaging is trying to get the buyer to believe that eating this product will help quench one's "blues". I am here to tell you, BULL. SHIT. As someone who suffers from mood swings, my most uncontrollable urges come quickly after eating a high carb meal. I'd feel good while I was eating it cause it's friggin' delicious, but when I was done I'd want to kill myself.

Here you will see, again, the display of "1/2 the Fat". Guess what? If you compare Edy's Brands, this supposed healthier option has more SUGAR. Well, that's based on my poor memory so check for yourselves. That is, if you can control yourself in the ice cream isle! Anyway, back to my story...  This packaging is trying to get the buyer to believe that eating this product will help quench one's "blues". I am here to tell you, BULL. SHIT. As someone who suffers from mood swings, my most uncontrollable urges come quickly after eating a high carb meal. I'd feel good while I was eating it cause it's friggin' delicious, but when I was done I'd want to kill myself.

Are you serious? I know I am not supposed to cuss on this blog because we want to stay "family friendly", but me using the word "fuck" express my eternal disgust with this picture pales in comparison to the damage done the impression this is leaving on children. Worse yet, the people buying this shit which is most often the PARENTS! Helllllllooooooo?!?!?!?! McDumbass! Anybody fucking home? It's bad enough that we sell candy bars as health food in the form of "Zone Diet bars" or "Snickers Sports" and attach a pic of a sexy man or woman on the wrapper. But to sell on the hopes that being "Chubby" will appeal to the buyer? I've lost my God damned mind on this one.

Are you serious? I know I am not supposed to cuss on this blog because we want to stay "family friendly", but me using the word "fuck" to express my eternal disgust with this picture pales in comparison to the damage done from the impression this is leaving on children. Worse yet, the people buying this shit which is most often the PARENTS! Helllllllooooooo?! McDumbass! Anybody fucking home? It's bad enough that we sell candy bars as health food in the form of "Zone Diet bars" or "Snickers Sports" and attach a pic of a sexy man or woman on the wrapper. But to sell on the hopes that being "Chubby" will appeal to the buyer? I've lost my God damned mind on this one.

Category: CrossFit

8 Responses to "tricky, tricky, tricky…"

  • Staci
    September 14, 2009, 12:27 pm

    Honestly, shopping at Jewel, Meijer or any of the large chains scares the crap out of me. The mega brands are in the food industry only for the money and know that most consumers will not check for themselves what they are actually eating. Most people have no idea what is really being done to our food, and we wonder why cancer diabetes and heart disease are all skyrocketing.

  • Stacy
    September 14, 2009, 3:26 pm

    Greetings my fellow crossfitters. I have declared a day of rest for all of us. Sunday, Sep 27th, ALL DAY!!! I have asked a couple dear friends of mine to allow us into their spas so we can get some much needed rest and relaxation. In a few short days you should be receiving an email from one if not both of these spas to see what services you would like, and respond by telling them. They will in turn put together a special priced package for you. Nothing comes cheap my friends, but they promise to be the best in IL. If you have any questions ask BILL. Lol. JK ask me Stacy S. stayc9@hotmail.com or check out their website zazasalon.com I hope you all agree and come enjoy a day of R&R with all your crossfit buddies.

  • Super Dave
    September 14, 2009, 4:22 pm

    Zach thank you for the post. Mark's Daily Apple provided a link to this article, which talks about these new "Smart Choices" food labels that are going to be appearing on boxes of foods:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html?_r=1

    DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THESE LABELS! Read the article, then read the 170 people who posted comments that are TOO SMART to buy into this stuff. Horrible how these food companies try to trick us into buying their processed foods. Truly, how do these General Mills/ConAgra/PepsiCo people sleep at night?

    Continue to buy foods that don't have labels (meats and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch) and you don't have to worry about this stuff. THANK YOU BILL AND JENNIE AND ZACH for helping us all see the light. Without you three I would still be buying those "Healthy Choice" dinners that Dawn and I used to live off of.

  • Tommy Mo
    September 14, 2009, 8:31 pm

    Am I the only one that found this comment to be both humorous AND pathetic?

    “Froot Loops is an excellent source of many essential vitamins and minerals and it is also a good source of fiber with only 12 grams of sugar,” said Celeste A. Clark, senior vice president of global nutrition for Kellogg’s, which makes Froot Loops. “You cannot judge the nutritional merits of a food product based on one ingredient.”

    So, let's take a look at the nutritional merits of Fruit Loops:

    http://www.quitehealthy.com/nutrition-facts/froot-loops/085261.html

    Key Points:
    - Serving Size = 1 CUP. Does the "average american" only eat just 1 CUP?

    - This food is 91% carb, a majority of it is refined sugar. Great!

    - And my favorite line on the page: (note the underlines)

    Cholesterol - Watching your Cholesterol? One serving has 0 mg, which should make healthy eating a little easier.

    I'm sold! Anyone else? Good lord already they really think that America is really THAT stupid? Amazing.

  • Tricia
    September 14, 2009, 8:51 pm

    I read that article too and I was just appalled at what people actually think! The fact that people are choosing between a donut and sugar cereal is really sad. How hard is it to make an egg??
    Anyway, America has no idea what is healthy anymore. I feel like I am the outsider with my friends because I feed my kids things that don't have high fructose corn syrup in them. I can't always control that all the time, though. The more I looked at what was in food, the more I realized how much I didn't know was in there! I am really trying to be more cautious about what I am feeding my kids too, because it starts young. If we keep feeding our kids what is "normal" in society, we are going to have a really fat and learning disabled society. We probably are already there!
    Ok, I am done with my rant! :o )
    I miss being at The Fort this week, but I am with you in spirit and doing my workouts at my mom's house!

  • Brian
    September 14, 2009, 10:38 pm

    I once got into an argument with a girl I know about that exact issue, Tommy. She said she was eating Frosted Flakes and that they are a good source of vitamins, 'cause they're fortified and all.

    Now, perhaps I could have offered a less sarcastic reply, but, well...you guys know me. I think my response was "um, yeah, they sure are...there's NOTHING wrong with that concept."

    She then refused to talk to me for a couple of days.

    On an unrelated note, I have no idea why I'm not married yet.

  • Jeff
    September 15, 2009, 10:29 am

    The NY Times article and subsequent comments are pretty interesting, but I'm not sure that the problem is limited to a diabolical room of scientists and corporate accountants dreaming up ways to invent foods and trick Americans.

    The donut vs Froot Loops debate is the bastard child of convenience and laziness - I think the real problem is that these are the products people choose time and again of their own volition.

    All we've accomplished with adding a green check mark is provided an excuse for people too lazy or stupid to think for themselves to ignore the guilt of feeding their kids and themselves trash. While I do agree it's sneaky and misleading, I don't think it will fool people who eat healthy already.

    Even if we don't agree with the food pryamid - what percentage of Americans follow what you are "supposed to" eat on a daily basis? People eat sugary foods because they taste good and they're going to start eating healthy tomorrow...

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