Don T Blame The Eater Essay

Response to "Don't Blame the Eater" Essay
Tori Howdyshell
February 15, 2013 Assignment 1
In the essay, "Don't Blame the Eater", David Zinczenko, editor–in–chief of Men's Health magazine,
discusses the recent lawsuits against fast–food chains. He does not deny that there should be a sense
of personal responsibility among the public, but has sympathy for the kid consumers because he
used to be one. Zinczenko argues that due to the lack of nutritional facts and health warnings, it's not
so ridiculous to blame the fast–food industry for obesity problems. My feelings on Zinczenko's
article are mixed. I agree with his arguments that consumers are oblivious to the true horrors of the
impact of a fast–food diet, but I do not agree that they should go so far as to sue the...show more
content...
In Pekin, Illinois, it seems that no matter where you live whether it be Catherine Street or Sheridan
Road, there is an array of fast food choices available. At the same time, there are only two grocery
stores. Why go spend money on food and then take time to prepare it when there is a McDonald's
down the street with a dollar menu and it only takes a few minutes for someone else to prepare it?
It's not that the food is better my any means, it's just more convenient. Zinczencko complains that
unlike many other hazardous items, fast food does not come with warnings on how terrible the food
is for one's health and its future effects. He emphasizes that even if the customers were able to obtain
the nutritional facts, they are not palpable, but rather obscure. He points out that the fast–food
companies make the nutrition labels vague and misleading; they calculate the calories for every
separate part of the meal, and they make it so the consumer must pay attention to serving size as
well. He observes that the fast–food industry can get away with confusing labels because there are
not any Food and Drug Administration labeling requisites (Word Smart, p. 220) covering fast food.
Zinczenko complains that there is not any sort of nutritional labeling on the menus at fast–food
restaurants. Now, nine years later, there are some changes, but his point is still valid. McDonald's
menu now states the calories of each meal, but as Zinczenko points out, it is very difficult to
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Don 't Blame The Eater Essay
"Don't Blame the Eater," written by David Zinczenko, was first published on November 23, 2002 in
the New York Times. The article was written in response to a Jay Leno monologue depicting a
newspaper headline describing kids who sued McDonalds for having made them fat. Zinczenko
claims that the government should take the initiative to change the way fast–food companies market
their food. "What you Eat is your Business" was written by Ray Balko and was first published on
the Cato Institute on May 23, 2004. The Cato Institute's objectives are to create "limited government,
individual liberty, free markets, and peace." Balko is responding to the three–day summit on obesity
held by Time and ABC News. Balko claims that instead of intervening in an individual's diet, "the
government should focus on fostering a sense of ownership of our own health and well being."
Zinczenko and Balko wrote both articles when obesity was becoming a huge problem in America.
Although Balko fosters emotion within his reader, Zinczenko is able to better relate to his audience,
evoke emotion, and establish himself as a trustworthy individual. Firstly, Zinczenko establishes his
credibility numerous times within "Don't Blame the Eater." Zinczenko writes, "I used to be one of
them" when he begins speaking about "portly fast food patrons". This shows he has personal
experience with being obese and with being a frequent fast–food visitor. In this example Zinczenko
shows his audience that he is one of them,

Essay on Don't Blame the Eater
"Don't Blame the Eater"
In David Zinczenko's article "Don't Blame the Eater" he focuses on the fast food industry and
their role in the increasing health and obesity issues of our nation's children, as well as these
issues potentially becoming a serious problem that we will all have to deal with if we collectively
don't do something about it now. When it comes to the topic of fast food, most of us can agree that
it is not the best source of nutrition. It is unhealthy and can be the cause of many serious health
issues with our children such as obesity related Type 2 diabetes, stomach ulcers and even heart
disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea or even cancer. We can even agree that fast–food diets are a
major contributing factor to...show more content...
I do agree that complicating the lack of alternatives is the lack of information about what we're
consuming. The government does not require calorie information charts on fast–food packaging as
there are on grocery items, nor are prepared foods covered under Food and Drug Administration
labeling laws. They are more concerned with keeping costs down, thus banking in the money, than
with the welfare of our children in any aspect. Look at the state of our public education system.
Look at the salaries of our nations teachers. Look at our healthcare system...why do so many
companies offer their employees health insurance through HMOs (Health Maintenance
Organization) or PPOs (Preferred Provider Organization)? These are both network programs which
require you to use certain doctors, but these doctors have contracts to accept what the insurance is
willing to pay as full payment minus a co pay or deductible from the patient, thus cheaper for the
company to fund. With these institutions and organizations being all about the business of making
money, how can we honestly expect them to be responsible for or care about the well–being of our
children? They are targeting our children! You need not even pay too close attention for it to be
obvious. Just take a look at a Happy Meal advertisement and the 2.5 million Happy Meals sold each
year. As working parents, especially single parents,

Dont Blame The Eater
Drive around any reasonably sized town in America, and there will likely be a fast food restaurant.
However, it is also probable that there be restaurants lining the streets too. In the short essay "Don't
Blame the Eater" by David Zinczenko, the author argues that it is difficult to find economical and
convenient alternatives to fast–food restaurants. Conversely, grocery stores and sit down restaurants
are widespread, providing customers with healthy choices. Grocery stores provide a wide array of
healthy foods and ingredients to prepare a meal with. Fortunately, many restaurants will have
nutritious options for health conscious individuals. While some may find it challenging to ignore the
conveniences of fast–food restaurants, it takes very

In the article "Don't Blame the Eater", author David Zinczenko, the editor –in–chief of Men's Health
magazine comments on the lawsuit against McDonald's which is initiated by the overweight
children's parents. He claims that fast–food industry should accept full responsibility for a serious
public problem: leading American kids to obesity. Zinczenko supports his claim with his personal
experience to show how the fast–food chains marketing on them with low price. He also said it is
not easy for those obese kids to turn their lives back. He believes this should be considered as a
public health problem because their obesity causes the society huge public health losses. Zinczenko
insists that if fast–food industry doesn't take actions quickly, it is only a matter of time for them to
become the next tobacco industry.
Zinczenko also claims that the fast–food industry should be responsible to the public for its large
scale. He mentions fast–foods has more competitiveness than natural food because its industry
provides the public more convenient accesses to its products. Zinczenko mentioned there are over
13000 McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. to reveal the difference of competitiveness between
fast–foods and real foods. He mentioned this leads the public to the situation of lack of alternatives
of fast food. Also, the misleading and confusing labels of foodish products makes the situation even
more complicated because the public actually do not know what they are purchasing.

Don T Blame The Eater Blame
Fast food restaurants are the go to for busy schedules, is what David Zinczenko reminds us in
"Don't Blame the Eater". In the past couple decades, it has been seen how eating fast food on the
go, eventually catches up in a negative way. Due to this negative increase in obesity, people are now
trying to find who to point the finger at. Who other than the Fast food chains themselves, since that
is where the problem stemmed from. The problem with finger pointing is that not one party is fully
to blame. Many fast food restaurants actually offer healthier alternatives for customers, but majority
are probably not aware of them. This is where consumer awareness is

Analysis Of DonT Blame The Eater
It is not the consumer 's fault for making the bad decision. In a discussion of how fast–food are
unhealthy for you, one controversial issue has been that people were responsible for what they eat.
On the one hand, David Zinczenko, the author of the article "Don't Blame the Eater" argue that
consumers should not be blamed for what they eat when they become unhealthy because it is not
their fault. On the other hand, Radley Balko, the author of " What You Eat is Your Business",
contends that it is the consumer 's false because they are responsible for what you eat and it is their
business. Other even maintain neutral and agree with a little on both sides. In my opinion, you
cannot blame consumers for eating more and buying unhealthy food,...show more content...
He argues that fast–food packaging gives us less information on what we are consuming. For
instance, advertisements don 't carry warning labels, foods that are prepared are not covered under
the food and Drug Administration labeling laws. Some restaurants will provide calorie information
on request but not all. In addition, David concludes that because fast food restaurants are
everywhere and the lack of warning label and information on the foods, it leads consumers to buy
more unhealthy food and live in an unhealthy lifestyle. On the other hand, in the article called "
What You Eat is Your Business" by Radley Balko which publish is May 23, 2004, contradicted
Zinczenko 's argument. This article claim that it was the consumer 's fault because they are
responsible for what they eat. Plus the government should not get involved with the consumer 's
decisions. In other words, the government should not raise the taxes in unhealthy food to fight
against obesity. Balko also claimed that if more and more states prevent private health insurance
from charging overweight and obese clients higher premiums it will cause people to not stop eating
a healthy diet. In Summary, Balko concluded that if the government stop being and not pay for the
medication, people would start making better choices about diet, exercise, and personal health. After
discussing this two articles, I agreed with Zinczenko because I can be related to what he been
through when he was

Dont Blame the Eater Essay
"Don't Blame the Eater" by David Zinczeko.
In his article "Don't Blame the Eater," David Zinczenko argues that today's fast food chains fill the
nutritional void in children's lives left by their overtaxed working parents. With many parents
working long hours and unable to supervise what their children eat, Zinczenko claims, children today
regularly turn to low–cost, calorie–laden foods that the fast food chains are too eager to supply.
When Zinczenko himself was a young boy, for example, and his single mother was away at work,
he ate at Taco Bell, McDonald's, and other chains on a regular basis, and ended up overweight.
Zinzenko's hope is that with the new spate of lawsuits against the food industry, other children with
working...show more content...
Of course it is much easier to find a fast food restaurant with unhealthy food than it is a grocery
store with healthy food, it is still up to the parents to teach the youth proper healthy eating and
living.If people expect different results, they have to work for them. Also, Zinczenko mentions how
teenagers can not necessarily find healthier places to eat instead of fast–food places. It is pretty hard
to find a healthier alternative to fast–food when you're an overweight teenager with a car and a
hungry stomach. It is very easy to walk into your neighborhood Jewel or Super Target and buy a
pre–made turkey sandwich and an apple for about the same price as a fast food meal. These
grocery stores are just as plentiful as the unhealthy fast food restaurants, and are just as easy to
purchase food from. The foods bought from these grocery stores also have the nutrition facts printed
right on them, so the consumer always knows what he is eating. Fast–food industries may try to
"target children in their ads", but it ultimately comes down to the adults–the parents– choosing to
dine at these places and pork up their kids on the high–sugar sodas, salty French fries, and greasy
burgers. If they would just take the time to look out the window, they would see the healthy
alternatives to fast–food, and how the alternatives are literally right in front of

Don T Blame The Eater
Who would have thought that people would start suing fast food corporations for making them
fat or obese? Roughly 600,000 people have died due to obesity, such as heart failures. Fast food
has been around since the 19th century. Lawyers have tried to file several lawsuits towards this.
Not just Americans need to realize this. The situation should be an international problem to
society. As a society, people need to wake up and become aware that obesity is killing nearly as
many citizens as cigarettes are. 16 through 27 year olds need to do their best to prevent the
consumptions of unhealthy foods. They're the next generation, a change needs to occur. People are
responsible for what they put in their own mouths. Fast food is getting popular by the day because
of the cheap price that has its benefits. Consumers should eliminate the consumption of all
unhealthy foods because it leads to obesity, heart failures, and diabetes. There are a variety of
foods people can choose like fast food to eat. Especially teenagers that always consume too much
sugar or calories who don't even realize what they're...show more content...
In David Zinczenko's article Don't Blame The Eater(November 23, 2002) he constantly blames the
consumer for having a terrible eating habits. He talks about how people are suing the cooperations
for making the way they are. What ever happened to self responsibility? He continually blames the
consumer. His proposal was to prevent parents to consume fast food which could lead to the children.
Throughout the article he gives dominant statistical information and also trying to give the reader
some sympathy towards what they are doing to ruin the eating habits. He tends for the consumption
of all bad food to stop and healthy foods to start being consumed. The community needs to their best
to prevent any of these for this to happen. The unhealthy path of eating could lead to some
indisputable

Analysis Of Dont Blame The Eater
In the article "Don't Blame the Eater," David Zinczenko argues that today's fast food industry is to
blame for obesity. Zinczenko says that when he was a child lunch and diner for him was a choice
between "McDonald's, Taco Bell, Kentucky, Fried Chicken, or Pizza Hut," those are largely the only
options for kids today. Lawsuits are being held against these big companies. Even though fast food
restaurants are cheap and affordable, it's very hard to find a healthy food that is cheap as fast food.
On the other hand, it's a person's choice on whether choosing to eat at a fast food restaurant or buying
himself a salad at the supermarket. Instead of getting a burger for three dollars, why not go to the
grocery and get whole wheat bread, ham, and

Summary Of Don T Blame The Eater
After a long stress filled day, the sweet aroma of a double decker cheeseburger and perfectly
seasoned fries fills the air with convenience. The fast food industry has engulfed today's generation
turning accessibility, advertisement, and affordability into addiction. The prevention of obesity is a
rapid growing controversial topic in America. Some would argue this to be the fast food industries'
fault, as where David Zinczenko stands. On the other side of the spectrum, there are people, like
Radley Balko, who believe it to be the consumer's fault for lack of alternatives and
self–responsibility. Is fast food the new tobacco? If so, who's to point the chubby finger at? Now a
days, the title is often considered the one and only chance to grab the reader's attention and swiftly
persuade them to read on. A title must be appealing and catchy right off the back, otherwise, half of
the audience will turn the page without hesitation and the other half that carries on won't have their
own innate claim to have in mind as they continue. "Don't Blame the Eater" by David Zinczenko,
published November 23, 2002, sets a perfect illustration for how a title can intertwine with the claim.
This leads the audience to instantly choice a side of the article, which draws in the...show more
content...
Reason being is because it gives the audience the sense of connection and relevance with the writer.
Nothing is more persuasive than that personal connection through a relatable experience. Zinckenko
is quick to state, "I tend to sympathize with these portly fast food patrons, though. Maybe that's
because I used to be one of them" (Zinc 391). Instantly, sending a connection between writer and
reader. On the other hand, Radley does not provide common round with the audience. Zinckenko and
Radley, however, do. They can overall come to a mutually agreement on the fact that obesity is a set
problem in American. The solution is the

Dont Blame The Eater Analysis
Don't Blame the Eater:
The story "Don't Blame the Eater" by David Zinczenko appears in , the book They say I say.
David Zinczenko explains how people are blaming fast food resturants for them gaining weight and
becoming obese. However people are blaming fast food resturants for them gaining weight and
becoming obese but that is their choice. David explains how he gained 212 pounds from eating fast
food all the time. But that was because at the time that is what his mother and him could afford
because it was cheap. They weren't worried about if it was the healthiest thing on the menu all they
cared about was that they were gonna be able to have a meal so they won't be starving. David had
become so obese from eating fast food so much. In

Don T Blame The Eater Discussion
In David Zinczenko's article, "Don't Blame the Eater," Zinczenko argues that, there aren't any cheap,
healthy and convenient alternatives to fast food. This is a controversial issue that some argue that
fast food restaurants are the reason why they have caused diabetes and obesity for children. There is
a possibility that this argument can cause lawsuits to be brought upon these companies due to this
situation. From my standpoint, the youth should have self discipline to a limit where they can still
enjoy fast food but to a certain extent. In my own experience, my parents would take me out to eat
fast food for a reward because of something that I did at school. Most of the time, my mom would
always cook, so the meals that I mostly ate everyday

Analysis Of Don T Blame The Eater
Many people assume that the blame for unhealthy lifestyles of Americans should be justly placed on
the numerous fast food restaurants located throughout America (Ch.1, pg. 24). David Zinczenko is
one of these people. In his paper titled Don't Blame the Eater, he argues that because these
restaurants are on every corner, and because they do not blatantly offer nutritional menus, that fast
food eateries are at fault. Zinczenko contradicts himself; on the one hand, he argues "whatever
happened to personal responsibility" (391)? On the other hand, he also says "But where; exactly, are
consumers–particularly teenagers– supposed to find alternatives?" (392) (Ch. 4, pg 60). I believe that
if teens are the most at risk, they have parents who should have taught them healthy eating habits;
also if there are not nutrition menus plastered everywhere, if asked, restaurants will provide that
information willingly, and lastly, if fast food has to be eaten, then why is exercising out of the
question? Zinczenko's argument fits in perfectly with today's society by differing responsibility.
However, also like in today's society, just because something fits in, does not make it right.
Most teenagers live at home from ages thirteen to eighteen, and then leave for college. If this is true,
then their parents should have five years while these kids are teens, to teach them healthy eating
habits for when they go out on their own. These five years do not even include the other years these
kids

Persuasive Essay On Dont Blame The Eater
Obesity On the Rise
The world has let itself go and has gained a belly due to the significant increase of obesity.
Unfortunately, throughout the years, the cumulative average of people who have been considered
obese has been on the rise. Within the last few decades, Americans have not obtained the
knowledge of the foods that has been consumed on a daily basis and how unhealthy these foods can
be to the body. In the past, most families did not really have the options of fast food that they have
today. Now, instead of having a home cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it is more
convenient and easier for families to go get fast food. As women began to enter the working
environment, they seeked out new ways for quicker and easier preparation which began the rise of
the fast food industry. Society is seeking out the industries for blame but the consumer is to blame
also. So who is at fault? Now it is time for the new generation to make a change. In...show more
content...
In Don't Blame the Eater, David Zinczenko, elaborates how it is up to the person themselves to make
a decision after being informed of the nutritional information(10).This statement reveals that once
people have knowledge of the effects, they could make a change to either benefit or harm one's health
. As human beings it is our job to keep our bodies healthy and taken care of. To help with the start
of resolving this epidemic people should be taught to eat in moderation. When indulging in a fast
food establishment, an individual should not eat excessively and not settle for every bargain
offered. Since people these days rely on technology more than ever before, they can ultimately use it
to their advantage. Society can utilize apps on their phones to update them with exercise goals and
contains a device that keeps track of healthy calorie intake. Ultimately, consumers are not alone when
sharing the blame with fast food

Don 't Blame The Eater
In the article "don't blame the eater", David Zinczenko focuses on the reason behind the obesity
problem that the modern young generations are facing. According to him, the large chains of
fast–food restaurants given their availability around the country and low prices are the ones causing
this problem. He brings in his own life experience and tells the story of becoming a 212 pound
teenager highlighting that he had to rely on these fast food chains for everyday meal. With a single
mother, who worked long hours he had no other alternatives to this like many other American
teens. The lack of information about the calorie content of the dishes on these restaurants was
one other main concern. Most of these restaurants do not provide enough data about the calorie
content of their dishes, and even if they do so its mostly vague and deceiving. To show the
gravity of the problem he pulls out a statistics of an increase of 30% in type 2 diabetes resulting in
an expense of hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare. Zinczenko implies that this impact is as
serious as smoking. Hence, fast food should have a warning label to raise awareness among the
consumers. He addresses these food chains as vulnerable and warns these restaurants that they will
find themselves in trouble unless they look out for their consumers. He also adds the further effects
these food habits can have in our society.
Zinczenko does a good job in taking down on the restaurants, however, his approach was not

Critical Analysis Of Don T Blame The Eater
In the two essay talk about obesity in America, one controversial issue has been that fast–food has
been causing obesity in America. In "Don't Blame the Eater", written by David Zinczenko argues
that fast food options in market are the main reason to cause the rates increasing of child obesity
because the alternative foods are very expressive, so a large portion of the younger generation
choose to eat fast food to instead. Second point David Zinczenko made is that fast food companies
are misleading and the nutrition information is not easy to find for consumers. On the other hand,
Tadly Balko has different thought to David Zinczenko. In "What You Eat Is Your Business", written
by Radly Balko states that the government shouldn't have any say

In "Don 't Blame the Eater" by David Zinczenko, he discusses the dangers of fast foods and obesity.
At first, Zinczenko blames the consumer for making such poor dietary decisions, but then says
consumers are not entirely at fault. Through his article, he tries to convince the readers that the fast
food industry is to blame. He uses writing techniques, appeals to emotion, appeals to personal
authority, and facts to prove his case against the food industry.
Zinczenko uses devices such as questions and a sarcastic tone through his article. To navigate the
reader into his belief, he starts off his argument with a question on whom to blame for obesity: the
consumer or the food industry. The first question he asks is, "Kids taking on McDonald 's this week,
suing the company for making them fat. Isn 't that like middle–aged men suing Porsche for making
them get speeding tickets?" In other words, he sarcastically points out that it is ridiculous for the
consumer to blame someone else for their own poor choice. Although he originally pokes fun at the
situation he then asks, "But where, exactly, are consumers –– particularly teenagers –– supposed to
find alternatives?" Making the reader question if it is really the consumer to blame and instead point
the finger at fast food restaurants. He lets the reader know that fast food is cheap and easy to find
compared to a healthier meal. Therefore, the reader should not blame the consumer. To press his
point, he ends the article with a

DonT Blame The Eater By David Zinczenko
The article "Don't Blame The Eater," written by David Zinczenko evokes readers the crucial impact
that fast food restaurants have in today's nation's youth causing them to be over weight and have
type 2ndiabetes. Throughout Zinczenko's argument he makes the reader view the consumer as a
victim yet on the other hand, what he is trying to persuade us to believe by using logos,pathos,and
ethos in his argument is that the food industry is the one making the nation's youth to increase
obesity. The capacity of impressive questions and personal experience, he composed in the text he is
able to comprehensively argue against the fast food industry. The author persuades us right away by
starting of with a question: "Kids taking on McDonald's this...show more content...
The personal experience Zinczenko's includes in his text many people can relate who have been or
are going through a similar situation. At this stage we can view imagery in the text as the reader I
can picture a young boy being lazy,laying in bed which is perhaps gaining weight constantly and
many dangerous diseases on the long run. The author is a very smart intiligual writer that acquires
the reader to have trust in him by sharing his experience and how he overcame his struggles and
why he believes fast food restaurants are the main reason the nation youth suffers from over weight
and diabetes.
Hidalgo 3
The examles of ethos that Zinczenko uses in his writing are when he talks about how any calories
you are eating when you eat at a fats food restauant which he makes a remark comment about the
government as well. The author tends to use this to sway the reader emotion and attention to use
such detailed ideas and examples all of this makes the reader think and emotions. Zinczenko also
tells us how he over came his eating struggles by avoiding fast food restaurant and staying occupied
however he still has the mentality that what is cuasimg individuals to be over weight is fast food
restaurants which goes against his claim.
I find it very intriguing how he states that the responsibilities of asking the right choices are your yet
he argues that the restaurants

Dont Blame The Eater Analysis
In the same way, both Radley Balko, author of "What You Eat Is Your Business", and David
Zinczenko, author of "Don't Blame the Eater", argue that obese individuals' health insurance is
becoming a burden to the rest of America, although they differ because Zinczenko argues that the
obesity problem lays in the hands of the food companies, while Balko believes that obese people,
old or young, are responsible for their own problems. "Don't Blame the Eater" by David
Zinczenko, is an essay where Zinczenko is responding to a group of children who are attempting to
sue McDonalds for causing them to become obese. David is overwhelmingly in favor of these kids.
He blames the restaurants for failing to accurately present the nutrition of their food when...show
more content...
Contrary from Zinczenko, he wants the government to make the people feel like they are
responsible for what they eat. Balko believes the solution lies in health insurances. Balko states,
"President Bush earmarked $200 million in his budget for anti–obesity measures" (396). The hope is
that snacks and sodas will be banned in schools. Also, the goal of the government is the formation
of a branch to enforce food labeling to be accurate and representative on each and every food
item. The government is also trying to instill a "fat tax". Balko says this is the wrong way to go
about fighting obesity. He thinks the government should take away the money given to people
for medicine to help them lose weight. He feels that by giving people money it gives them more
of a reason to eat whatever they want because they aren't paying for the medicine they need. He
believes if people had to pay for their own medicine they would take their lifestyle a lot more
seriously. According to Zinczenko, paying for your own bills carries a responsibility of trying to
limit those bills. Balko makes a very good point stating how George Bush had money put aside for
new bike trails, park, etc. I feel like that would help not only kids but parents as well. Balko also
thinks the government should take money away from the obese people because the money goes
towards more

Don T Blame The Eater Essay

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Don T Blame The Eater Essay