How long could one live on spongecake, boiled shrimp and Margaritas?

[Annie-Xmas]

I haven't a clue. Seriously.

[Procrustus]

In the interest of science I'm willing to give it a try. I'll need some expense money

[silenus]

For a liberal definition of what constitutes a margarita, almost indefinitely. But at the very least until hurricane season.

[WhyNot]

Quite some time, I believe. You've got your macronutrients covered (protein, fat, carbs), and if you're making actual margaritas with lime juice, Vitamin C is covered. Cholesterol from the shrimp, as well as enough B12 & iron to keep you from getting anemic. The spongecake supplies essentially nothing but calories, but you do need calories. If you can get the baker to make it with whole wheat flour, your bowels will thank you, though. Not a lot of fiber in this diet.

But it's a lot more doable than many of the "how long could you survive on a diet of..." hypotheticals we see around here.

[Michael63129]

Well, according to this site, sponge cake, as expected for a cake, doesn't have much in the way of nutrients (and a lot of cholesterol, though I suppose you could get it with egg whites, but then there are people who eat several whole eggs a day, at 70% of your RDA each, for years without getting heart disease).

Shrimp has even more cholesterol per calorie, at 55% of your RDA per 84 calorie serving, but more vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, but just 3%, although multiple servings could provide you with enough to prevent scurvy, but still less than optimal amounts (and far more cholesterol than is recommended, but again see my comment about eggs).

As for margaritas? I hope that isn't all you plan to drink because that would quickly add up to a lot of alcohol, and no other nutrients to speak of, plus alcohol can inhibit the absorption of other nutrients.

[Dickerman]

At least until you come to the realization that it's your own damn fault. In the mean time, you'll be wasting away.

[don't ask]

I'd ask Jimmy Buffett. He's probably done it and written a song about it.

[Hello Again]

There's no fat in that diet; Rabbit starvation, dying from a lack of dietary fat, happens eventually, even if enough calories to sustain life are consumed.

[AndrewL]

Originally Posted by Hello Again

There's no fat in that diet; Rabbit starvation, dying from a lack of dietary fat, happens eventually, even if enough calories to sustain life are consumed.

Does it help if the shrimp are eaten with the heads still on? I think there's some fat in among the organs and such.

[Michael63129]

Originally Posted by Hello Again

There's no fat in that diet; Rabbit starvation, dying from a lack of dietary fat, happens eventually, even if enough calories to sustain life are consumed.

Not really; the links I posted lists sponge cake as having 2.7 grams of fat per serving and shrimp 1 gram (3.7 grams and 270 calories for both together, and you'll eat multiple servings a day). Less than 10% of calories from fat, but more than "none", and also some actual diet plans out there.

[njtt]

Originally Posted by Hello Again

There's no fat in that diet; Rabbit starvation, dying from a lack of dietary fat, happens eventually, even if enough calories to sustain life are consumed.

There is fat in sponge cake, surely (actually Michael63129's link lists it at 13% fat, and all that cholesterol he is worrying about is a type of fat too), and there must also be some fat in shrimp: in their cell walls for a start.

[John Mace]

Originally Posted by silenus

For a liberal definition of what constitutes a margarita, almost indefinitely. But at the very least until hurricane season.

That's the key right there. A margarita can have almost anything added to it, including broccoli.

[Washoe]

C’mon, guys—let’s get serious here. Purina Lab Monkey Chow and beer: can it be done indefinitely? I have little time or motivation for cooking anymore.

[WhyNot]

Originally Posted by Hello Again

There's no fat in that diet; Rabbit starvation, dying from a lack of dietary fat, happens eventually, even if enough calories to sustain life are consumed.

Sponge cake has milk, butter and eggs in it. Perhaps you're thinking of angel food cake, which is fat free.

[Beware of Doug]

I'd make it through about the third 'rita, then pass out.

[Hello Again]

Originally Posted by WhyNot

Sponge cake has milk, butter and eggs in it. Perhaps you're thinking of angel food cake, which is fat free.

You're right, I was totally thinking of angel food cake.

Whew! Close one.

[njtt]

So how come angels don't wind up with "rabbit starvation" then?

[zoid]

Originally Posted by AndrewL

Does it help if the shrimp are eaten with the heads still on? I think there's some fat in among the organs and such.

That'd help. Nice glob of orange fat in there as well as the (tiny) brain. Shrimp bisque is awesome if you make the stock for it with the heads as well as the shells.

[billfish678]

Live?

Hell, this sounds like the perfect way to commit slow suicide.

[Trinopus]

Originally Posted by WhyNot

. . . Not a lot of fiber in this diet. . . .

Eat the chitinous parts of the shrimps' tails. Decent fiber.

[TriPolar]

The amount of alcohol in the margaritas will make the difference. If you start with and 80 proof tequila, and mix it with an equal amount of fruit juice, you're down a drink with 20% alcohol. A little high, but assuming you are getting some additional water from the shrimp and spongecake, you could make it. I don't know what the limit is, but too much alcohol relative to the amount of water you consume will dehydrate you badly.

[WhyNot]

Originally Posted by TriPolar

The amount of alcohol in the margaritas will make the difference. If you start with and 80 proof tequila, and mix it with an equal amount of fruit juice, you're down a drink with 20% alcohol. A little high, but assuming you are getting some additional water from the shrimp and spongecake, you could make it. I don't know what the limit is, but too much alcohol relative to the amount of water you consume will dehydrate you badly.

Gotsta add ice, either rocks or crushed.

[The Second Stone]

You would perish very quickly, as salt is necessary for survival, and you've lost your salt shaker.

[TriPolar]

Originally Posted by WhyNot

Gotsta add ice, either rocks or crushed.

If we're talking margaritas with ice, or frozen, most people would be on a healthier diet than they are now. I'd switch right over if I was sure it was margaritas on the rocks and not those frozen margarita slushies. The food is kind of bland, but I'd be drunk all the time and wouldn't care much.

[Trinopus]

Originally Posted by The Second Stone

You would perish very quickly, as salt is necessary for survival, and you've lost your salt shaker.

Dunno how you make your margaritas...but out here, a rim of salt is pretty common.

ETA: also, shrimp can be kinda salty...

ETATA: oops, were you just joshin'?

[silenus]

"Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt..."

[WhyNot]

"Some people say that there's A WOMAN TO BLAAAAAAAME..."


Oh, I'm sorry...isn't this the sing along part? *hic*

Pass the shrump...shrimp...shriiiiiiimpssss.....

*thud*

[TriPolar]

Originally Posted by WhyNot

"Some people say that there's A WOMAN TO BLAAAAAAAME..."


Oh, I'm sorry...isn't this the sing along part? *hic*

Pass the shrump...shrimp...shriiiiiiimpssss.....

*thud*

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila...

[WhyNot]

Originally Posted by TriPolar

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila...

I love you guys. Seriously. No, really! You, like, really get me, you know? 'N I 'preciate that. I love you guys so much! Especially you...



(Sadly, I'm actually stone cold sober. This weekend cannot come fast enough...)

[Thudlow Boink]

The important thing is to balance your shrimp level with white wine.

[Dag Otto]

I can solve the fat problem with a butterita. Salted if you want, but the unsalted creamy butterita is the perfect drink* if you need fat.




*Actually, the perfect fat drink is eggnog, but the butterita should get you to eggnog season.

[Bricker]

No niacin? I foresee pellagra.

[WhyNot]

Originally Posted by Bricker

No niacin? I foresee pellagra.

Shrimp's got almost 3mg per 4oz. Daily recommendation for women is 14mg, men 16mg. I could happily eat 20 ounces of shrimp a day.

[The Other Waldo Pepper]

Originally Posted by WhyNot

Shrimp's got almost 3mg per 4oz. Daily recommendation for women is 14mg, men 16mg. I could happily eat 20 ounces of shrimp a day.

For what it's worth, the very first Boiled Shrimp recipe I clicked on involves heating up water that's chock full of the usual seasonings -- oregano and bay leaves, parsley and paprika, tarragon and thyme -- while squeezing in the juice from half a lemon and topping off the whole thing with some cayenne pepper.

[silenus]

Jimmy is also very non-specific on how the shrimp is to be served. Shrimp & Grits would be a dish from his childhood. In fact, the Margaritaville menu lists at least seven shrimp dishes:

Lobster and Shrimp Salad A succulent blend of shellfish tossed with rotini pasta, olives, tomatoes, carrots and lemon-herb vinaigrette served atop a bed of mixed greens.

Bayou Shrimp Pasta Bell peppers, red onion and ground andouille sautéed with jumbo shrimp, and tossed with penne in a spicy Cajun cream sauce.

Sirloin and Shrimp Combo Our house sirloin accompanied with grilled shrimp kabob and brushed with Hawaiian butter sauce. Served with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

And don't forget the cocktail sauce for the Peel and Eat Shrimp. I'd say you've got all the food groups covered quite adequately.

[Doug K.]

Does watching the sun bake all of those tourists covered with oil enter into it?

[Lukeinva]

Two weeks easily. Possibly two months but I don't have that much vacation time saved up.

[Happy Lendervedder]

In researching the OP's question, I discovered that spongecake isn't actually on the menu at Margaritaville, so I quit.

[muldoonthief]

Originally Posted by Washoe

C’mon, guys—let’s get serious here. Purina Lab Monkey Chow and beer: can it be done indefinitely? I have little time or motivation for cooking anymore.

There was a guy who lived on a Purina Monkey Chow diet for a week, and posted a series of youtube videos about his experience.

[billfish678]

I remember a couple of summers ago. It was hotter n shit. We want to go do something but the ungodly heeeaatttt...

Some friends called up. They live on a small creek. Hey guys, come on up. We are gonna sit in chairs in the shade in the creek and drink margaritas all day. Sounds good to us!

No shrimp or spongecake but still a pretty nice day all in all.

[GargoyleWB]

Originally Posted by silenus

"Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt..."

Salt could be recovered by squeegeing the sweat off of the oil-covered tourists, and using the shrimp dip boiler to distill out the water. An added bonus is that the leftover coconut oil film could be used to fill the deep fryer for some nice tempura shrimp.

And shrimp dip can contain nearly anything, so it looks like a long healthy nutrient-rich life is guaranteed.

[Dallas Jones]

You are eventually going to want a cheeseburger. Maybe open a couple of restaurants.

[silenus]

Originally Posted by Dallas Jones

You are eventually going to want a cheeseburger. Maybe open a couple of restaurants.

But what would you name such a restaurant? It would have to reflect both the menu and location.




You can keep the pickle.

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by Dallas Jones

You are eventually going to want a cheeseburger. Maybe open a couple of restaurants.

That would really be paradise.

[yabob]

On that diet you're never going to get to look at 40.

[BubbaDog]

In all of your timeline estimates you are neglecting the fact that there is an injury to the heel involved. (some people are so into material wealth that they concentrate on the loss of the flip flop and don't even recognize the seriousness of a pop-top wound)

[TriPolar]

Originally Posted by billfish678

I remember a couple of summers ago. It was hotter n shit. We want to go do something but the ungodly heeeaatttt...

Some friends called up. They live on a small creek. Hey guys, come on up. We are gonna sit in chairs in the shade in the creek and drink margaritas all day. Sounds good to us!

No shrimp or spongecake but still a pretty nice day all in all.

Ok, so unless there's some toxic effect from eating shrimp and spongecake, we know the diet is good for at least one day.

[billfish678]

Well that cheap ass margarita mix did give me one serious case of indigestion the next day so that is a red flag right there. Though I suspect any food/beverage product that is sold in couple gallon plastic buckets probably isn't the upper echelon stuff.

[leftfield6]

Originally Posted by billfish678

Well that cheap ass margarita mix did give me one serious case of indigestion the next day so that is a red flag right there. Though I suspect any food/beverage product that is sold in couple gallon plastic buckets probably isn't the upper echelon stuff.

But everyone knows that a stick of Juicy Fruit gum will calm down tummy troubles.

Jimmy has an answer for everything.

[Loach]

There would have to be some sort of cocktail sauce or life wouldn't be worth living.