A new KFC menu item could take us down a very dark road

America’s obesity problem may have just taken a very dark turn.

E-Alert readers in Providence, RI, and Omaha, NB, know what I mean. Those are the two test-markets for a new KFC menu item called the Double Down Sandwich. Contents: Two original recipe chicken filets, bacon, Swiss cheese, pepper jack cheese, and Colonel’s Sauce.

And what makes the DDS unique? No bun. The cheese, bacon and Colonel’s Sauce are sandwiched between the two chicken filets. $4.99. Go to town.

But let’s look on the bright side: No bun equals fewer white bread carbs. No question, that’s a good thing. On the other hand, instead of a bun you’ve got deep fried planks of highly processed chicken. No question, that’s less than ideal nutrition.

According to a KFC rep who spoke to the Kansas City Star, the company doesn’t provide nutrition information for test market items. Nevertheless, these estimates were offered: 590 calories, and 31 grams of fat that account for 280 of the calories. No info on the carb content.

We’ve certainly seen calorie-laden fast food items that tip the scales at well over 590 calories. But if our society goes down this road – eating cheese, bacon, and mystery sauce between slabs of deep fried meat – where will it lead us?

Someplace LARGE, no doubt.

But there is a glimmer of hope. The KC Star asked readers: Would you eat KFC’s Double Down Sandwich?

Results:
Oh yeah: 1282
No way: 1403

It’s good to know that more than half showed restraint. Although, you can imagine that many might change their minds when someone places a warm, fragrant Double Down in front of them and asks, “How about now?”

Source:
“KFC’s Double Down Sandwich Turning Heads, Stomachs” Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8/25/09, kansascity.com