Eat, eat: a fourth meal and now “linner”
June 29, 2008
I subscribe to Advertising Age because its writers are right on top of food trends, the latest of which appears to be encouraging people to eat more often. Fast food chains, it seems, are pushing “Linner,” the eating occasion between lunch and dinner. Take a look at what the suggestions are and take a guess at the calories. This must derive from Taco Bell’s Fourth Meal idea of a year or so ago. You know the rule: the more times a day you eat, the more calories you eat. Actually, the kicker on this one is the link with alcohol–the more times a day you eat, the more beer (or whatever) you drink. Enjoy!
Oh gosh, I don’t even know where to start.
These items are intended to be eaten in ADDITION to regular meals? Yes, the calorie count will go right through the roof.
But, I am intrigued at the items planned by Denny’s for its admittedly inebriated late night diners as “craveable dishes”. I don’t think so. I can’t imagine eating those foods on a stomach that had consumed a few too many alcoholic beverages. (In fact, I can’t imagine wanting to eat those things sober, either, frankly.) What’s with all the onions on a stomach that will likely soon be queezy from too much booze? Ick.
Comment by Sheila — June 29, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Okay then. Come up with a catchy, compelling, irresistible advertising campaign that makes people want to NOT eat.
Be cool, and eat less. Want to eat something, good? Don’t. Feel like a snack? Say no.
If your mission is to get people to stop eating, and to eat less, good luck with that. If your mission is to get people to eat less of what they like, or eat more of what they don’t like, how exactly do you do that?
What would you suggest? Any ideas? What would make people NOT want to order something in a restaurant? Do you make them scared? Do you gross them out with calorie counts? Do you make it a social stigma to each a high-calorie food? Do you promote the righteousness of eating a small-portion, low-calorie meal? Do you promote the smug self-satisfaction of ordering lettuce?
What is your suggestion, beyond criticizing restaranteurs and food producers.
How do YOU propose makng people want to eat less, and stop eating what they like?
Suggestions?
Comment by Ivan Road — June 30, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Yes, I do have some suggestions.
When I was doing my post-graduate training at Michigan State, there was a small local restaurant near the campus that was patterned loosely on the Moosewood Restaurant. For about the same money as eating a fast food “value meal”, we could get a full meal of creative delicious food made from scratch, using local produce when available. The flavors ranged many cultures, but seemed not to come from high fat or sugar content. The menu changed as fresh food availability changed with weeks and seasons. The atmosphere was casual and mingling with other diners was encouraged. So, we had great interesting food with intact nutrition, good company if we wanted, fast personal service, reasonable prices. I think these concepts can be reproduced.
Comment by Sheila — June 30, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
My husband and I have been eating “linner” for years - we even call it that - but we use the term to refer to a very late lunch that we eat INSTEAD of lunch and dinner. One less meal: what a concept!
Comment by Bev — June 30, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
ivan road: How do YOU propose makng people want to eat less, and stop eating what they like?
answer: read your comments - you’re making me sick - i’m losing my appetite. you have nothing useful to add here. unlike me - i recommend blupper - one meal a day - breakfast, lunch and supper.
Comment by dirt road — July 2, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
this is hilarious, thanks for the post. homer simpson is actually the innovator in all this. it’s been almost a decade since he “discovered a meal between breakfast and brunch.”
Comment by darya — July 6, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Oh yeah, when I saw the Taco Bell ad for the “Fourth Meal” I couldn’t help but laugh, but then get a little worried. It seems that people are getting a little detached from their own bodies and understanding their moods less and less. That hungry feeling late at night isn’t because you have to eat a fourth meal, it is because you’re up late and if you just go to sleep you’ll be ready and on time to eat at breakfast. On occasion, it is nice to have food late at night with friends, go out to drink, etc. But a fourth meal? Only if the meals are 25% smaller would that be a good idea!
Comment by Inoculated Mind — July 7, 2008 @ 5:51 pm