Warning: Watching the Food Network Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

I don’t know if you’ve discovered it yet as I have, but the Food Network is great TV. Not only does it have plenty of traditional cooking shows, there are programs about the history of foods, profiles on restaurants and pretty much anything related to food or the food industry. They even air cooking competitions, which surprisingly don’t end in food fights.

But I’m not writing this to praise the Food Network. I am writing this because the Food Network has proven detrimental to my health. There should be a surgeon general’s warning that appears prior to every Food Network program. How you can sit and watch an hour-long show about North Carolina BBQ or Maine Lobster and not want to pig out is beyond me. Actually, I dare you to try it.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve got in your house to eat, if you eat it while the Food Network is on, it tastes even better. Through the evil magic of the Food Network, they can make plain rice cakes taste like gourmet pizza, provided that’s what you are watching. All you’ve got for breakfast is oatmeal? Not to worry, the Food Network is airing a special on wedding cakes. MMMM, that sounds good, doesn’t it?

Although I’m complaining about it, I won’t stop watching. I’ve become addicted to it. Back in the days of black and white TVs and only five or so stations to tune in, no one could have imagined watching a sixty-minute documentary on hot dogs. Back then, no one could have imagined anyone even producing a television program about them. A lot has changed and the Food Network proves that people will watch anything on TV.

So let’s summarize, folks can now stay at home all day watching the Food Network while snacking. And we wonder why America’s obesity problem is expanding along with our waistlines? Thanks a lot Food Network! Now, what’s for dinner? OOOO, I see the Food Network is doing a show about fried foods…