April 27, 2010
Regulation Taking a Grain of Salt
Sometimes, just after waking in the morning, it's possible to believe that people like this do not actually exist, but they're out there, they're more plentiful than is good for our nation's health, and they seem to be getting bolder and bolder:
If State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has his way, the only salt added to your meal will come from the chef's tears.The Brooklyn Democrat has introduced a bill that would ban the use of salt in New York restaurants - and violators would be smacked with a $1,000 fine for every salty dish.
"No owner or operator of a restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of any food," the bill reads.
Every movement and every era has its kooks, but this example cuts a bit too close to the debate about healthcare costs and government involvement in that industry for my tastes.
We worry about transfats and too much carbohydrates and sugar in our diets leading to obesity but yet no one has been really beating the drum on the excessive use of salt in fast food chains and restaurants.
From the Center For Science In The Public Interest: http://www.cspinet.org/new/200905111.html
CSPI researchers examined 17 chains and found that 85 out of 102 meals had more than a day's worth of sodium, and some had more than four days' worth, including the following:
CSPI has listed the Top Ten of the Saltiest Meals in America
1) Red Lobster; Admiral’s Feast (4,662), Caesar Salad w/Caesar Dressing (930), Creamy Lobster Topped Mashed Potato (1,110), Cheddar Bay Biscuit (350), Lemonade (54) 7,106 mg or 3.1 teaspoons of salt
2) Chili’s Buffalo Chicken Fajitas w/ Tortillas & Condiments (6,846), Dr Pepper (70) 6,916 mg or 3.0 teaspoons of salt.
3) Chili’s Honey-Chipotle Ribs (5,150), Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy (1,050), Seasonal Vegetables (170), Dr Pepper (70) 6,440 mg or 2.8 teaspoons of salt
4) Olive Garden Tour of Italy (lasagna) (3,830), 1 Breadstick (350), Garden Fresh Salad w/ House Dressing (1,990), Coca Cola (6) 6,176 mg or 2.7 teaspoons of salt
5) Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana (3,380), 1 Breadstick (350), Garden Fresh Salad w/ House Dressing (1,990), Raspberry Lemonade (15) 5,735 mg or 2.7 teaspoons of salt
6) Denny’s Double Cheeseburger (3,880), Onion Rings (980), Tomato Juice (680) 5,540 mg or 2.4 teaspoons of salt
7) Denny’s Spicy Chicken Buffalo Melt (3,870), Rice Pilaf (820), 2% Milk (116) 4,806 mg or 2.1 teaspoons of salt
8) KFC Half Chicken Meal (2,400), Biscuit (530), Macaroni & Cheese (880), Mean Greens (400), Lipton Brisk Green Peach Tea (560) 4,770 mg or 2.1 teaspoons of salt
9) Dairy Queen Spicy Chili Bowl (3,900), Side Salad w/ Fat Free Ranch Dressing (450), Mountain Dew (150) 4,500 mg or 2.0 teaspoons of salt
10) Arby’s Large Beef ‘n Cheddar Sandwich (2,309), Large Mozzarella Sticks w/ Marinara Sauce (2,047), Dr Pepper (120) 4,476 mg or 1.9 teaspoons of salt
CSPI found the following children's meals that have one or two days' worth of sodium:
•Red Lobster Chicken Fingers, Biscuit, Fries, Raspberry Lemonade: 2,430 mg of sodium
•Chili's Country Fried Chicken Crispers with Rice and 1% milk: 2,385 mg of sodium
•KFC Popcorn Chicken with Macaroni and Cheese, Teddy Grahams, and 2% milk: 2,005 mg of sodium
•Jack in the Box Chicken Strips Grilled, Buffalo Sauce, Fries, and 1 % milk: 1,980 mg of sodium
•Olive Garden Chicken Fingers, Fries, and Raspberry Lemonade: 1,835 mg of sodium
A walk through CSPI's two reports on the amount of sodium found in chain and fast food restaurants menu dishes is eye opening and just might change the way you order or eat!
It's amazing how much excessive salt is in canned foods.
Soups and veggies are the biggest offenders.
I actually read the labels and shop accordingly.
I think it notable that neither McDonalds, nor Burger King, are on the list.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 27, 2010 10:33 PMWarrington Faust.
The list is for the Top Ten of the Saltiest Meals in America!
When you go to the CSIP web site and read the "Heart Attack Entrées and Side Orders of Stroke" or "Salt Assault; Brand-Name Comparison of Processed Foods" or "Salt The Forgotten Killer" or "Are Your Children Overdosing on Salt? What Every Parent Needs to Know" McDonalds and Burger King are very well listed along with some other notables.
Nothing like Red Lobster and the king of salt Denny's Restaurant chain.
Ken writes:
"When you go to the CSIP web site and read the "Heart Attack Entrées and Side Orders of Stroke" or "Salt Assault; Brand-Name Comparison of Processed Foods" or "Salt The Forgotten Killer" or "Are Your Children Overdosing on Salt? What Every Parent Needs to Know" McDonalds and Burger King are very well listed along with some other notables."
That doesn't surprise me. What did surprise me is that they were not in the Top 10.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 28, 2010 8:51 AM"I actually read the labels and shop accordingly."
No, no, Joe. You're not capable of doing this for yourself. No one is. We need an all-powerful, grossly over funded government (which, judging from this legislation, has way too much time on its hands) to do it for us.
Buy stock in salt and salt shakers. I have a feeling sales are going to skyrocket since everyone will be packing one just like cell phones.
Is there a nice way to tell these kooks who come up with these ideas to F-off?
Let's see.....Hey Mr. Assemblyman, F-OFF!!!
Nope, guess not.
I am reminded of a friend whose family had been in the siver business for several generations. In the 80's, during the cocaine hey day, their salt cellars and spoons flew out of the warehouse. Some had been there 50 years. They couldn't figure it out.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 28, 2010 7:32 PM