Like any young hot-blooded American, my competitive nature was conditioned from an early age. I played almost every sport, worked hard, and excelled to beat out my competitors. Despite my competitive nature, I have mixed feelings about competitive eating.
With a society that largely suffers from childhood obesity and unhealthy diets, does this so-called sport send the wrong message?
When I was younger, like any growing boy, I could eat a ton. Due to nonstop sports I was always eating.
I remember one night after wrestling practice everyone on the team met at
Cheeburger Cheeburger. We competed with one another in a race to see who could eat the 1 lb burger the fastest, and perhaps, be daring enough to eat two. I ate two 1 pounders. I was lucky to have a high metabolism and a meal like that didn't affect my health in a drastic way due to my lifestyle.
I initially enjoyed watching competitive eating, especially the
Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest. It's truly a sight to see a person eating 60 plus hot dogs in 12 minutes.
I have mixed views on this subject. As I previously stated it's interesting watching these trained eaters compete with one another. But, food is sustenance. Food gives us energy, keeps us healthy, and is meant to be enjoyed. By presenting this perspective on food and treating it merely as means to a competition, then we can lose respect for what we eat.
I think competitive eating should not be glorified the way it is today.
Do you think there's nothing wrong with a little hot dog eating contest? Are these competitions feeding our youth the wrong message?
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Comments (7)
To be honest I have trouble with these competitive eating contests where people eat enormous amounts(sometimes resulting in throwing it back up) when people in other countries are literally STARVING.
I love hot dogs...but I hate watching people soak them in water during contests :(
Food should be a source of fuel for your body and also something enjoyable.. Competitive eating just seems like such a waste of food
I think it is ridiculous that there are "professional" competitive eaters. There is no way these people can be healthy. For people who are not educated on healthy eating habits, this is sending a bad message. A little harmless competition between friends is OK, but glorified TV programs are not. I love Cheeburger Cheeburger, btw =D I'd totally try that 1lb thing...I just have to find someone to do it with me...any takers?
oh man I cannot watch the hot dog eating contest...then again when I was little I got really sick from eating hot dogs so that probably has a lot to do with it.
@Emma - hahaha I'm always up for the 1 lb burger, but it's been a long time
If there was an ALL YOU CAN EAT SEAFOOD/FISH competition, I WOULD WHOOP EVERYONE'S ASS!!!
http://youtu.be/86nhXtV4wEU