Its easy to pick on Americans. The UK also has heinous junk food.

So, thanks for the jump in to confirm the research on yields from organic ag. Wow. I could not get much of a word in edgewise on the other topics. I posted what I had ready to say.

http://expatriateskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/01/one-minute-down-six-to-go.html

These visuals have helped me to appreciate more my fast food options in Rome. As I live in an old building with old gas implants which city of Rome has required to change - am currently unable since over a week to utilize my kichinette for any home made delicacies. Imagine that I don't own a microwave and yes, there are no electric kitchens. So I have been forced to try out local food options. Fast food is not cheap in Italy because the classic, good and healthy, is not fast... Up on the fast food chain are the so called "Rosticeria's" where one can buy any imaginable cooked veggie, lesagna portions, roastbeef or chicken. Good, tasty, relatively healthy and expensive. On the cheaper side of things are the "Pizza and Kebab" spots run by warm hearted Egyptians and Maroccans with kebabs price relative to thier freshness. And yes, the Arabs brought the pizza bread to Rome...no matter how much Napoletans will object. Yet, the wonder scenery is changing here with Burger King opening its premises at the end of my street. Still plenty of bars with mayonaise filled Italian "tra-mezzini" sandwiches but if you want something hot and warm - more apropriate pizza places are the only option not killing you financially. So in my odd desperation for food, other then bagging friends to cook for me, the only healthy take out remains Indian curry or dhal in an adjacent neighborhood. Yet, even with the Burger King and openness to nachos - I just can't picture Italians dreaming of a steakhouse aussie cheese fries with ranch dressing...

These visuals have helped me to appreciate more my fast food options in Rome. As I live in an old building with old gas implants which city of Rome has required to change - am currently unable since over a week to utilize my kichinette for any home made delicacies. Imagine that I don't own a microwave and yes, there are no electric kitchens. So I have been forced to try out local food options. Fast food is not cheap in Italy because the classic, good and healthy, is not fast... Up on the fast food chain are the so called "Rosticeria's" where one can buy any imaginable cooked veggie, lesagna portions, roastbeef or chicken. Good, tasty, relatively healthy and expensive. On the cheaper side of things are the "Pizza and Kebab" spots run by warm hearted Egyptians and Maroccans with kebabs price relative to thier freshness. And yes, the Arabs brought the pizza bread to Rome...no matter how much Napoletans will object. Yet, the wonder scenery is changing here with Burger King opening its premises at the end of my street. Still plenty of bars with mayonaise filled Italian "tra-mezzini" sandwiches but if you want something hot and warm - more apropriate pizza places are the only option not killing you financially. So in my odd desperation for food, other then bagging friends to cook for me, the only healthy take out remains Indian curry or dhal in an adjacent neighborhood. Yet, even with the Burger King and openness to nachos - I just can't picture Italians dreaming of a steakhouse aussie cheese fries with ranch dressing...