For a little while it seemed like America might be on a course towards healthier eating and lower rates of obesity.  Michelle Obama unveiled her Let’s Move campaign, the FDA decided to look into Front of Package Labeling, and McDonalds started offering apple slices with Kids Meals.  But now it’s like we’re swinging, not just back to center, but, all the over into left field.  Fast food companies are coming out with more high-calorie, high-fat, high-disgustingness food at a faster pace than ever before.

A coupe of weeks ago it seemed like every time I turned on my TV I’d see an ad for Sonic featuring a hamburger topped with jalapeno poppers and served with a side of tater tots.  At first it seemed too gross for words, but then Sam drew my attention to the KFC Double Down.  As you can see from the image below, it’s a sandwich where the bread has been replaced by two hunks of deep fried chicken.  Yum.

Apparently frightened that KFC might take the lead in the grease war, Friendlies came out with an equally disgusting monstrosity.  It’s a hamburger encased in two grilled cheese sandwiches.  It manages to make the jalapeno popper burger look positively healthful in comparison.

 I’d show you pictures of the Sonic Popper Burger, but I can’t seem to find it online.  I’d wonder if they got rid of it, but since the Ex-Long Chili Cheese Coney Combo (a footlong hotdog covered in chili and cheez wiz for those not in the know) still exists, I’m guessing it’s still around somewhere.

So what’s going on?  Why are fast food companies well, not reverting since their food was never great to begin with, but switching from 1st into 5th gear when it comes to the pace at which they run away from good nutrition?  I don’t think healthful foods like fruits and vegetables have gotten more expensive, nor do I think that meat and cheese have reduced in price.  I’d say that they’re trying to lure in people despite a bad economy, but fast food is the only portion of the restaurant industry that has experienced growth despite the economy.  I’d love to know your guesses.  And I’ll leave you with this:

 Friendly’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burger Melt – 1500 calories (75% of your daily needs), 870 calories from fat (145% of your daily needs), 38 grams of saturated fat (170% of your daily allowance), 180 miligrams of cholesterol (90% of your daily allowance), 2090 miligrams of sodium (91% of your daily allowance).