Enzyte has nothing on this burger.
I don't recall which one of ESPN's mindless chatterbox pundit shows leaked onto my television after I forgot to turn off Wimbledon coverage the other day, but once I became aware of inane banter I was subjecting myself to, I hurried for the remote.

During my transit from computer desk to remote table, the TV switched from the annoying program to commercials.

I grabbed the remote and switched to the guide in hopes of finding something interesting to tune into, or if not, a music station so I had some background noise while I worked. It was while I surfed the guide that I heard the Nutrisystem commercial that inspired today's Intershame.

Being on ESPN, this Nutrisystem commercial was naturally aimed at the male audience and therefore, promoted a Nutrisystem weight loss programs for men - what they call their "Man Plans". A spokesman in the commercial, ESPN radio personality Mike Golic, delivered the line that got me thinking (and I'm paraphrasing)...

"Pizza, burgers, pot roast... Real food, for real men!"

I will later admit that some of Nutrisystem's food is awful.
Real food, for real men? The implication here is that if you forsake the double bacon cheeseburger and fries for the grilled chicken breast and baked potato your manhood is up for debate.

I don't want to get into the societal reasons for the obesity epidemic in the United States, but one must consider the impact that food perception plays. Clearly many man will choose an unhealthy meal not only for the taste of it, but because they take into consideration how their peers perceive their food selection. If this was not the case, Nutrisystem would have no reason to advertise their male targeted weight loss plans in such a manner. Their internal research obviously shows that appealing to men in such a way is effective.

I've experienced this first hand. After ordering a salmon dinner (ironically not because it was the healthy option, but because I felt like the salmon) I was met with this comment from a friend... "What's your husband going to have"? Witty, but sadly revealing of that person's perception of manhood which appears to be directly proportional to the amount of calories and fat grams in their meals.

When a company like Nutrisystem takes advantage of a stereotype that nurtures an environment where responsible food decisions are mocked instead of celebrated, then we deem that Intershameful.

Here's Intershame's weight loss plan for men: Eat healthy, workout and stop giving a shit what other people think of your food choices.