Balance of Food

Had to love this letter to the Chicago Tribune on competitive eating. Follow the link to read the whole letter from Edward M. Bury of Chicago, but here's the key part:

While you're at it, take aim at the madness that surrounds "competitive eating." I cannot fathom why: 1. A human being would force down mass quantities of food, consider it a "competition" and consider himself an "athlete." 2. A company -- especially a food manufacturer or restaurant group -- would sponsor these contests and consider them "sport." 3. That established media, like the Chicago Tribune and others, devote coverage to this disgusting activity.

Readers know, of course, that we cover competitive eating because as those who try to eat healthy, we marvel at the competitive eaters. And chances are, if you are larger than you want to be. eating lots of food took you there. We all have our stories of times gone past when a large amount of food was eaten. The "established media," including this blog, understands the phenomena. Regardless of what you might think, it is a competition. There is a skill to eating 59 hot dogs in 12 minutes. As to whether they're athletes, that might be debatable. But it's not terribly important. To Mr. Bury and the rest of the naysayers: there is a backlash on food in this country. We're told this is bad for us and that is bad for us. We are working hard to do it right, but we miss the past. We need something about food to comfort us. We're not eating what they are eating, but we are living vicariously through them. And for that reason, we will continue to cover competitive eating.