While reading the article, I found myself thinking about whether or not people on death row should be allowed to choose for their last meal whatever their little hearts desire.  After finishing the article, however, I began to think about what I would choose to eat if I knew I were going to die tomorrow.

I wasn’t able to compile a whole list (it could quite possibly go on forever), but here are some of the things I came up with.  I would start with a baguette from my favorite bakery in Paris, paired with a glass of a beautifully aged Cahors wine.  I would want a bit of reindeer from the beautiful old Theatercafeen in Oslo, with deliciously roasted red potatoes and buttery asparagus on the side.  I would certainly ask for a Big Papi from U Burger, here in Boston.  Granted, I hear it’s no In-n-Out Burger, but since I’ve never actually been fortunate enough to have one myself, I’m more than happy to settle on my jalapeño- and chipotle-mayo-infused burger (extra chipotle mayo, please).  For dessert, I was torn between the pistachio-hazelnut gelato I ordered from a little gelateria in Trastevere, Rome and the flourless chocolate cake I used to get on Royal Caribbean cruises.  I suppose I’d be a pretty expensive inmate, no?

Some of the efforts being made to curb unhealthy eating in schools are great, and I think they should continue and expand.  It’s good that we’re starting to stock vending machines with healthier snacks and beverages, and I read somewhere that taxing non-diet beverages also greatly increases the number of sales of diet drinks.  These efforts are great, but I think there’s a much larger battle to be fought against fast food in general.  There are so few healthy options at fast food joints, so even if people wanted to grab a salad, they’re usually laden with highly caloric and fatty dressings such as blue cheese and ranch.  Even regular restaurants pour on unnecessarily fat ingredients, sauces and dressings; do we really need to eat a cheeseburger whose buns consist of grilled cheese sandwiches?  Friendly’s developed this 1,500-calorie monstrosity, which also contains a whopping 79g of fat.  It actually makes me shudder.

In addition, I think Americans need to be more active; so few Americans are getting any sort exercise these days, save for reaching for another scientifically created cookie.  I mean, sure, I love having an Oreo once in a while, but at least I exercise five days a week.  Even if it’s just taking a walk around the block to start, I think it’s important that everyone do something to get their blood pumping.

Just some thoughts I had regarding the article.  Let me know what you think!