challenge.

I've been reading nutrition labels like crazy lately. In order for specific foods to be consumed the ingredient list shouldn't be a mile long and I must be able to pronounce most of the words. With this whole Taco Bell "meat filling" lawsuit, I've been really thinking about the ingredients fast food restaurants use. Of course I know they aren't great, but what exactly goes into some of our favorite quick choices? I did a little research.


McDonald's Big Mac - Much more than the Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun...

bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid, enzymes, water,high fructose corn syrup, sugar, soybean oil and/or partially hydrogenated soybean oil, 

salt, 

calcium sulfate, 

calcium carbonate,

 wheat gluten, 

ammonium sulfate, 

ammonium chloride, 

sodium stearoyl lactylate, 

datem, a

scorbic acid, 

azodicarbonamide, 

mono- and diglycerides, 

ethoxylated monoglycerides, 

monocalcium phosphate, 

enzymes, 

guar gum, 

calcium peroxide, 

soy flour, 

calcium propionate, 

sodium propionate, 

soy lecithin, 

sesame seed, 

Soybean oil, 

diced pickles, 

high fructose corn syrup, 

sugar, 

vinegar, 

corn syrup, 

salt, 

calcium chloride, x

anthan gum, 

potassium sorbate,

 spice extractives, 

polysorbate 80, 

distilled vinegar, 

water, 

egg yolks, 

high fructose corn syrup, 

onion powder, 

mustard seed,

 salt,

 spices, 

propylene glycol alginate,  s

odium benzoate, 

mustard bran, 

sugar, 

garlic powder, 

MSG, 

caramel color, 

extractives of paprika, 

soy lecithin, 

turmeric (color), 

calcium disodium EDTA

Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice - 

soy oil, cilantro. white basmati rice, water, salt, lime

Subway 9-Grain Bread - less than 2% whole grains??

Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, barley malt, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, high fructose corn syrup, whole wheat flour, wheat gluten, contains 2% or less of the following: oat fiber, soybean oil, salt, wheat bran, rolled wheat, rye nuggets, dough conditioners (DATEM, sodium stearoyl lactylate), yeast nutrients (calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate), degermed yellow corn meal, rolled oats, rye flakes, caramel color, triticale flakes, parboiled brown rice, refinery syrup, honey, barley flakes, flaxseed, millet, sorghum flour

Wendy's Crispy Chicken Nuggets - 

Chicken Breast, Water, Modified Corn Starch, Sodium Phosphates, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate. Battered and Breaded with: Wheat Flour, Water, Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Spices, Leavening (sodium bicarbonate, sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), Dextrose, Yellow Corn Flour, Yeast, Garlic Powder, Citric Acid, Spice Extractives, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum. Cooked in Vegetable Oil (soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural flavor [vegetable], citric acid [preservative], dimethylpolysiloxane [anti-foaming agent])

Although Wendy's nuggets have a lot of ingredients (all in the breading), at least they are made with actual chicken - unlike McDonald's:

chicken yogurt anyone?

After reading about a group on Facebook for a "No Fast Food February," I'm extending the challenge to you. Although I rarely eat fast food anymore, I'm actively taking the month of February off. Everyone's definition of fast food is different. For me, the following will not be allowed:

• all drive-through restaurants
• Subway
• favorite burrito making hot spots
• pizza delivery places
• strip mall Chinese eateries

Since February IS the shortest month of the year, I believe everyone will find success. 

you've been challenged.

(p.s. - pardon the awkward spacing and font craziness going on. I'm working on moving over to Word Press. hold your horses!)