Rules of the Road

My understanding is that if I’m driving home from work in the early evening, and I swing by a Burger King and get a grilled Chicken Sandwich that i plow down before arriving home, it does not count as dinner even though it’s like 430 calories. Do I have this right?

Sincerely,

Dear Whale Rider,

Not only do you have this right, it is your right!

Seriously let me say I am not a dietitian, but I do have many clients that have eating disorders or are concerned about size so I’ve taken many MED ED continuing education courses on eating disorders and obesity ( I know this word is being stricken from the medical vocabulary but I want to get to the point).

Thank you for including the picture of that Burger King Tender Grill sandwich. It looks delicious and I’m not always so attracted to things on buns. This helps reinforce my thinking that if it looks good , it likely is good.

Here is my understanding of the rules. Because there’s way too much fat shaming in the world, medical ediucators are recommending that clinician just agree with with ttheir clients that this behavior is A-OK. The fact that you did not order a super gross fried chicken sandwich makes me say this confidently. A fried chicken sandwich is as gross as eating pizza, a high carb and high fat item, with fries , another high carb, high fat item.

The fact is that this grilled chicken sandwich doesn’t count because you’re not concentrating on eating, you’re concentration on driving, much like listening to national public radio news or music while you’re driving home. Not to mention driving is an activity. And, activity means you’re expending energy and burning calories.

On that note, I want o provide additional guidance. Let’s say you’e 10 – 30 lbs overweight and you’re at the grocery store avoiding buying cookies, candy, chips or any high caloric snacks. You get in line to check out at at the cash register, there’s a point of purchase display for Reese’s Peanut Butter filled Trees because it’s the holiday season. It is OK to get one and as long as you eat it along the drive home and throw away any evidence of the wrapper before you get inside your home, you are within the rules and will not be penalized what so ever. Now if you fail to eat the delicious Reese’s Paenut butter Tree before arriving home then you must forfeit it and say it’s a gift for your partner or roommate.

-Marla