Nothing Says Freedom Quite Like A Belly Full of Hotdogs

 

By: Jonathan Tait, D.O.

Today is Independence Day in the United States, a holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. It was 238 years ago that the people of the Thirteen Colonies celebrated their legal separation from Great Britain.

There are several traditions many of us associate with the fourth of July.  Honoring fallen veterans who fought and lost their lives in multiple wars over the years defending America’s freedom and independence. Taking in a baseball game at the ballpark. Having a picnic or pending some time on the lake. Firing up the backyard barbeque with friends and family. Shooting off a few fireworks.

There is one other tradition that has been around since 1916 – The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. As legend has it, the first contest was held by four immigrants apparently to settle an argument about who was the most patriotic.

Every year competitors descend on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues In Coney Island, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York to stuff their bellies to the point of sickness, all for the chance to be called champion. The contest is one of the premier events of Major League Eating (Yes, there is an actual league dedicated to competitive eating) and this year attracted more than 50,000 spectators to watch the reigning champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut vie for eighth straight title.

It was a contest for a while, but eventually Chestnut devoured his competition, as well as a 61 hotdogs and buns, en route to his eighth consecutive title, also a record. The runner-up again was Matt “Megatoad” Stonie who finished with 56 dogs. If you’re doing the math at home, “Jaws” stuffed himself with a mind-boggling, estimate 23,790 calories in 10 minutes, almost 800 grams of fat, and over 60,000 milligrams of sodium.  This would be about the same amount of calories the average person would consume in 10-12 days.

And what spoils go to the victor Mr. Chestnut? $10,000 and the Championship Belt. Also, probably a raging case of heartburn.

To watch the event is completely disgusting, yet impressive, all at the same time. As one reporter concluded after last year’s event – “Saliva, sweat, water, and hot dog detritus mixed at Chestnut’s feet as he hoisted the Mustard Yellow International Belt to the heavens yet again”.

Why am I talking about this? Because unlike the competitive eaters in today’s competition who perform these disgusting feats on an occasional basis, I see patients on a daily basis who feel it is OK to host their own competitive eating contest each day and seemingly not care about the consequences to their health. Gallons of soda, piles of fried food, and sugar-laden snacks consumed each week – some of them probably consuming more than the 20,000+  calories Joey Chestnut packed away today. All the while becoming sicker and fatter thanks to the Standard American Diet (SAD).

The perception for many patients I see seems to be that because of the great freedom we have in our country, they can eat whatever they want, and as much as they want, without consequence. Those who know a little bit better subscribe to the notion that there will be a medication or surgery to negate years of poor dietary choices. They waddle and limp into my office horribly overweight, saddled with chronic disease, and distressed by chronic pain. This is truly sad, and in my opinion, truly preventable.

The poor health of our workforce is cited as one of the main reasons our country is losing our place as a leader in the global economy. I strongly believe that we can reverse the poor health of this country, increase productivity and creativity in the work force, and gain back the ground we’ve been giving up over the last years.

The fix is actually quite simple. Seek out the best-quality whole foods you can find and afford, and eat them on a regular basis.

So this Independence Day, declare your independence from mega-portions, competitive eating, and super-sized “value” meals, and take a stand against the Standard American Diet.

I know that might not sound  patriotic, but I believe it to be a much better gesture than stuffing yourself to the point of puking to prove it to your friends, family, and countrymen.

Enjoy your freedom, enjoy some good food with friends today, but take it easy as there are no “mustard belts” on the line.

Committed to your health,

Dr. Tait

 

 

 

 

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