Can We Just Take a Minute to Discuss the KFC Double Down

As a former fast food addict, just ask my college friends: they called me Fast Food Nation, after that dirty book... I know, It was a weird way to rebel against my overly healthy parents, but give me a break... Calorie books at the dinner table pressuring me into feeling bad about my Chick Fil A lunch? That's ridiculous! I was in highschool and have you ever eaten at CFA? IT'S DELISH PEOPLE! {On a side note they are coming out with a spicy chicken sammy - can you say AWESOME?!}

Enough of that cathartic venom, let's talk about the latest creation by the Kernel: the Double Down. This meat sandwich -literally, there is no bread, just double, giant fried chicken nuggets doubling as bread (the heart stopping kind) stuffed with double cheese and bacon. As a lover of bacon I am going to go ahead and say that this is one item that is not improved by bacon... I think this sandwich was best described on SNL when Seth said that for a small fee that the KFC employee will just stab you in the heart after you order it... Come on people! This is just silly. 

It's ironic that as our government scrambles to make businesses put nutritional info on their menus and just about everyone is on a diet that this gem hits the market. And flourishes. I am one who loves a gimmick, but this is one gimmick that I will be staying away from because I know it's bad for me... Just like I know going to Last Call when I have no money just a credit line is bad for me. This is just one of those things that should be avoided because it's so bad; it's good.

Here's an excerpt from Austin360's write up:

How much does it cost? About $5 and 540 calories (460 for the grilled version), putting it on caloric par with fast-food standards like the McDonald's Big Mac or a large order of french fries at Burger King.

But calories aren't everything. Nutritionists caution that consumers also should pay attention to the sandwich's salt and fat.

The Double Down has 1,380 milligrams of sodium (1,430 milligrams grilled). That's close to the American Heart Association's recommendation that adults eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day.

"This is not a healthy choice," said Walter Willett, chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Though Willett said eliminating the white bread is a good thing to do, "what really sets this product apart is the incredible amount of sodium in one sandwich."

Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said the 32 grams of fat is about half the total fat most Americans should be getting in an entire day.

In addition, to the exorbitant calories, fat, and sodium content let's dissect the name of this sandwich. Doubling down is a term that comes from playing black jack - when you double down in black jack  you double your bet on a sure hand and limit yourself to a single card when the dealer has a bust card showing aka a sure win and generally a more aggressive play than your standard hold, wait for the dealer to bust strategy. 

Is that what they want to convey with this name choice? Aggressiveness? It's is pretty aggressive when you think that the number one cause of death in America is heart disease. Sorry to be Debbie Downer - I am all about splurging - but there's a reason that companies are gearing towards the healthier items these days - these fatty items are literally KILLER.