I’m sure you’ve heard of the South Beach Diet, the Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. But, have you heard of the “Heart Attack Grill Diet?” This diet actually guarantees that you will gain weight.
The Heart Attack Grill is a restaurant located in Chandler, Ariz., and their motto is “Taste Worth Dying For.” Some items on the menu include “Flatliner Fries” and the “Double Bypass Burger.” This restaurant offers free meals to customers who weigh more than 350 pounds.
This is no joke.
There’s nothing wrong with being overweight, just like there’s nothing wrong with being skinny. Diversity is what makes the world a beautiful place. However, there comes a point where health needs to be considered. Three-hundred and fifty pounds ― I’d say that’s the point.
In a country where heart disease is the leading cause of death, the last thing we need is a restaurant promoting obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 percent of Americans died due to heart disease in 2006. In addition, heart disease cost the United States $316.4 billion in 2010 because of health care services, medications and productivity loss.
You can thank the Heart Attack Grill for contributing to this number.
If the Heart Attack Grill is going to offer free food to someone, why not offer it to local impoverished children? Something healthier of course. Just a suggestion. Many more people would benefit from this.
I understand that every restaurant isn’t going to offer healthy options, but one shouldn’t treat heart attacks as if they were comedy standup routines. In fact, customers are offered hospital gowns to wear while they eat, and the owner is even dressed as a doctor. All a part of their joke. Maybe, I don’t get the joke but I can’t find the humor in children developing diabetes before they hit puberty or young adults who can’t walk up the stairs without fear they could drop dead of a heart attack.
While other diets actually try to help people, this one exploits customers and their weight. Unfortunately for them, no one is laughing. Too many people lose loved ones due to heart disease, and this place is mocking their grief. Until the Heart Attack Grill changes its name and its policy, this restaurant will remain nothing more than a bad joke. And obesity is its punch line.
