Ever heard of Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest? Well now you have. It is exactly what it sounds like.
"The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a city tradition for 97 years. Tens of thousands of spectators gather to gawk as contestants shimmy, slither and bounce as they dip hot dogs in water and cram them down their throats."
"For some, it's a painful reminder of excess -- especially as the U.S. battles a growing obesity problem. The American Medical Association opposes competitive eating, saying it's harmful to the human body."
This seems to me like a frivolous foolish waste of food. The winner of this year's contest, Joey Chestnut won by eating 68 hot dogs in buns in ten minutes. Yay for him?
So let's do the math: 97 years, times about 30 contestants a year, times an average of let's say 50 hot dogs a person- That's 145,500 hot dogs, all eaten within 10 minutes, most probably thrown up later, and most certainly not enjoyed.
Sonya Thomas, the winner of the female contest with 45 hot dogs, said "she started to feel sick while eating but kept pushing so she could win the title."
"There is a limit so I have to fight," she said. Thomas said next year she's going to beat her record again and eat 46.
Am I the only one that finds this spectacle disgusting, and a horrible waste of food?
To call a hot dog "food" is a bit of a stretch.
ReplyDelete:) Maybe so, but it is any less of a waste?
Deleteits just gross and sad. I dont know if its a waste of food, the excuse "there are children starving in africa" doesnt really hold
Deletea. there are children starving in ny and everywhere else
b. if you dont eat it- does not mean that it will go to the starving homeless masses
Ya i know that. But it just doesnt seem fair that we have in excess and there are people who have none.
Deleteit isnt fair, but if people stopped having these useless contests there would still be children going to sleep hungry all over the world
DeleteSo you are saying, well I can't help you so I may as well have a good time.
DeleteNO thats not what im saying at all.
Deletei think eating contests are disgusting and vulgar and one should not partake in them. I think that its horrible that so many people are starving in the world while we live in excess.
I also think that one has nothing to do with the other. I dont think if people stopped having pie eating contests they would instead donate those pies to a homeless shelter.
Okay I agree with you. The title of this post was just meant to catch people's attention.
Delete