# The Center for Hysteria in the Public Interest says Ice Cream is Unhealthy! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 25, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882 "2003-07-25T14:47:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Toaster52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@Toaster52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toaster52)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/21 "2003-07-25T17:20:32Z")
These people have the common sense of a radish. I am 50 years old and have been eating meats, pizzas, ice cream by the boatload, Big Macs, fries, you name it, my entire life. One of my favorite meals is a large helping of meatloaf (prepared the old-fashioned way so it’s dripping with fat to make it juicy), mashed potatoes with tons of butter (real butter) and sour cream, fresh veggies, and vanilla ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream. According to these fatheads (an apropos term, if I ever heard one), I dropped dead 30 years ago. _feh_ ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/22 "2003-07-25T17:34:27Z")
What, does this come from CSPI’s “No Shit, Sherlock” department? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/23 "2003-07-25T17:43:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jeevmon \* > \*\*This [article](http://reason.com/0307/fe.js.the.shtml) provides a useful antidote to the ravings of CSPI. \*\* Good stuff. My eyes started to glaze over halfway through the article. ---
**Author:** ![Southerner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Southerner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southerner)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/24 "2003-07-25T17:43:48Z")
Another ( We need to make a law to force everybody else to live like me because my life is perfect ,and I am the happiest motherfucker to ever live on planet earth, and the other people that live here are just complete morons and don’t know whats good for them.) group pissing everyone else off. When is this bullshit going to end? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/25 "2003-07-25T17:47:02Z")
“If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.” — Henry David Thoreau, _Walden_ ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/26 "2003-07-25T17:52:15Z")
Where is CSPI saying that people shouldn’t eat ice cream? Where is CSPI saying that everybody who eats ice cream will drop dead? Where is CSPI even suggesting that people who eat ice cream are just complete morons and don’t know what’s good for them? Where is CSPI saying **anything** on this subject besides “Ice cream shop servings are much more fattening than most people realize, and it would be a good idea if they had to post calorie counts so that people could be better informed about what they’re eating”? From what I can see on this thread, there **does** seem to be a lot of misinformation and bullshit and hysteria and unnecessary outrage about this issue, but it’s not coming from CSPI. ---
**Author:** ![RAWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@RAWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RAWDuke)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/27 "2003-07-25T17:55:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kimstu \* > \*\ ***RAW:** \* > So what’s wrong with that? Where’s the “hysteria”? \*\* The “hysteria” is > [@](#): > > Coronaries in Cones’ > [@](#): > > It’s as if these ice cream shops were competing with each other to see who could inflict the greatest toll on our arteries and waistlines," > [@](#): > > “Many more children would be alive today if the choking hazards posed by gel candies and other foods marketed to children were investigated quickly and pulled from store shelves,” > [@](#): > > Coronary on a Plate Pretty hysterical (in more ways than one!)😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/28 "2003-07-25T18:01:45Z")
We already know its fattening, what’s the point of telling us its _really_ fattening? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/29 "2003-07-25T18:06:59Z")
Is it me or does the executive director of CSPI look a bit [yellow](http://www.getf.org/file/News/O16F14503.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/30 "2003-07-25T18:12:05Z")
Um, **RAW** , do you **really** think that CSPI seriously believes, or seriously intends its readers to believe, that an ice-cream cone or serving of fast food will automatically induce a coronary, or that the owners of ice-cream shops are motivated by a malevolent desire to ruin our health and appearance? You are picking out a couple of eye-catching phrases that you can criticize for exaggeration while ignoring most of what the CSPI articles are actually saying, which is quite sane and accurate. Hey, if CSPI were advocating sending in the black helicopters to shut down ice cream parlors, or prohibiting them from selling Belly Buster Sundaes, or making them change their recipes to substitute low-calorie fake ice cream for the fattening stuff, I’d be just as upset as you could desire. But come on. All they’re saying is “Gee, this stuff is a lot higher in calories than you may have realized, and we think the vendors should have to provide information about the calorie counts.” You may or may not agree with that suggestion, but it’s hardly an example of frothing freedom-destroying Big-Brotherism. Like I said, there’s plenty of hysteria on this issue, but it’s not coming from CSPI. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/31 "2003-07-25T18:12:28Z")
Kimstu > [@](#): > > Where is CSPI saying anything on this subject besides “Ice cream shop servings are much more fattening than most people realize, and it would be a good idea if they had to post calorie counts so that people could be better informed about what they’re eating”? If people _wanted_ to be better informed, could they not simply _ask_? You’ve already forced us to know what’s in a hot dog. Isn’t enough enough already? ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/32 "2003-07-25T18:15:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kimstu \* > **Where is CSPI saying that everybody who eats ice cream will drop dead?** I think that would be the implication of “coronary in a cone.” ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/33 "2003-07-25T18:15:45Z")
**Lib:** _If people wanted to be better informed, could they not simply ask?_ Ask whom? Does the server at your ice cream parlor know how many calories and fat are in a Belly Buster sundae? _You’ve already forced us to know what’s in a hot dog. Isn’t enough enough already?_ That question has kind of a strange ring on a board devoted to fighting ignorance. If you don’t want nutritional information, can you not simply refrain from reading it? ---
**Author:** ![Tinkertoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Tinkertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinkertoy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/34 "2003-07-25T18:32:24Z")
Ice Cream is unhealthy? Has anyone told **Sauron** ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/35 "2003-07-25T18:35:50Z")
**RAW:** \*They also […] want to pull gel candies from the shelves so our poor selves will stop choking to death. […] “Many more children would be alive today if the choking hazards posed by gel candies and other foods marketed to children were investigated quickly and pulled from store shelves,”\* By the way, you have incorrectly attributed (twice now) this argument to CSPI, when in fact it was merely a statement that they quoted from U.S. Representative Mike Honda. CSPI’s position on food choking hazards is simply that it would be a good idea to put warning labels on them. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/36 "2003-07-25T18:41:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Homebrew \* > \*\*:: turns keyboard over :: > > Damn, it **does** have a warning on it. \*\* I’ll be damned…so does mine. And it’s one of those split-keyboard ergonomic numbers. I thought “prolonged use” was the whole point of getting one! ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/37 "2003-07-25T18:53:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Toaster52 \* > \*\*One of my favorite meals is a large helping of meatloaf (prepared the old-fashioned way so it’s dripping with fat to make it juicy), mashed potatoes with tons of butter (real butter) and sour cream, fresh veggies, and vanilla ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream. \*\* Man, that sounds good. I would say the problem with the report is not that they’re making it sound like ice cream’s fat content is a big revelation, but rather that they’re making their readers _hungry_ ! ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/38 "2003-07-25T18:57:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kimstu \* > \*\*By the way, you have incorrectly attributed (twice now) this argument to CSPI, when in fact it was merely a statement that they quoted from U.S. Representative Mike Honda. CSPI’s position on food choking hazards is simply that it would be a good idea to put warning labels on them. \*\* Small object that goes in mouth may lead to choking. What shall we do about all those nasty peas, or corn, or perhaps even pasta shells? What happens is they’re sold individually, shall we label each one? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/39 "2003-07-25T19:06:54Z")
**DCU:** \*“Damn, it does have a warning on it.” I’ll be damned…so does mine. And it’s one of those split-keyboard ergonomic numbers. I thought “prolonged use” was the whole point of getting one!\* In other words, you fell for the advertising hype about the product, and the warning label reminded you not to put too much faith in it. There’s something to be said for that, IMHO. ( **Grey** —pasta shells **sold individually**? 😕 Some of these efforts to make CSPI’s suggestions look silly are really making the posters look silly.) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882/40 "2003-07-25T19:10:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Toaster52 \* > **According to these fatheads, I dropped dead 30 years ago.** Good Lord! DEAD MAN TYPING!!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-center-for-hysteria-in-the-public-interest-says-ice-cream-is-unhealthy/190882.md?page=3)