Breaking the Chain: How I Banned Chain Restaurants From My Diet And Went From Full To Fulfilled

by Allyson Reedy

Breaking the Chain began with Allyson Reedy wanting to eat better tasting, more adventurous food. After watching friends, family and strangers eat unsatisfactory meal after meal at chain restaurants and get fatter as a result, she wondered how we could break this chain of mediocrity, obesity and commercialism. So in 2009, Allyson Reedy stopped eating meals, snacks, and goodies from the kinds of restaurants that line America’s streets and dominate our stomachs. This food memoir chronicles her year-long experience as she sought out local alternatives to the fast food we’ve come to rely upon. Breaking the Chain is Fast Food Nation (Eric Schlosser) told from Carrie Bradshaw’sthe point of view (if she loved manicotti as much as Manolos). Allyson shares the good and bad effects of her experiment, including passing up of her food rituals like an office breakfasts of bagels and donuts, her break from social customs, the inconvenience on friends, support for her neighbors and local food community, the discovery of new favorite foods, saving money, and ultimately, weight loss.

Genres: Nonfiction

Nook

First published September 8, 2011

Reviews

[Djrmel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once the author has covered how difficult it is to avoid what she has defined as chain restaurants (definitely a YMMV definition), the book becomes stories of her experiences. The details about meals ate at local restaurants aren't that compelling to someone who hasn't or doesn't plan to eat at those restaurants. Reading over and over again about the inconvenience she caused her coworkers and friends seemed more about pointing out how special the author was for what she was doing rather than using the opportunity to educate why eating local might be a good idea. But, there's a reason for that. Reedy cause wasn't ideological, it was personal. She'd had repeatedly bad meals at the same chain restaurants. Also, I suspect she was looking for a blog topic and thought this was a good one. It probably would have made a better localized blog rather than a book with the word "Fulfilled" in the title.

Her writing style is light and conversational, and humorous if you find self admitted hunger tantrums funny.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting conceit. And what a large conceit she has. Too much whine mixed in with the cheezpuff writing.

I think what really got me is how the author could not understand why not everyone fell in line with her quest. Why some had a hard time with it, didn't want to do meals with her. It would be like having a friend who suddenly becam truly vegan or ate only white food. Meals are more difficult, especially eating out. And yet her proclaimed anathema to cooking meant she didn't now invite these friends over to 'proper' meals at home. No, she dragged them along on her quest. And did not have enough awareness, self or otherwise, to see how this impacted others.

Oh, and passive-aggressiveness. She hates her job but won't quit. She moans about to her spouse, but doesn't say "I would like to quit". And then moans about how supportive SHE was when he left a job. Of course, he said he wanted to leave. She wants him to read her mind AND be supportive.

In a previous review I said it suffered from a lack of a strong editorial hand. That the book would have been good if someone had assist the author in making cuts. This book, the best editor in the world could not have saved

[Teresa Battaglia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited with the concept of the book, but I was saddened by the fact that Reedy did nothing but eat out constantly. I love eating at local restaurants, but I live in Chicago, and we have so many. I understand that that might not be the situation in Denver, but this isn't a new concept. Furthermore, even if you plan on supporting local restaurants, eating out in general isn't that great for you because you aren't fully aware of the ingredients of the meal. It is definitely better to cook for yourself.

I would have been more tolerable of the book if Reedy discussed how she cut out chain restaurants, and started to take on the responsibility of cooking for herself. Instead, she comes off as a pompous child, dependent on her husband to pick up her pizza or else she'll "starve." I'm sorry, but it's hard for me to believe someone is so "cheap" when she is constantly eating at restaurants, chains or not. It makes me think that if she can write a book about her constant need of Thai or sushi, and acting like a martyr in the process, anyone should write a book.

[Janee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was written as if it were intended to be a series of articles, and I found it had too much repetition of information that I'd just read in an earlier chapter. I did find the author's journey of banning chains from her dining choices interesting. I could completely identify with the difficulties of finding good choices while traveling by car - the chains are so prevalent along all the highways I've ever driven. I had a hard time sympathizing with her dilemma as her lifestyle included eating out on nearly a daily basis. She made some very interesting points as she analyzed what saturation of the restaurant market is doing to the way we eat in this country, and those give me something to think about as I make my (far less frequent, these days!) choice of where to dine.

[Maryellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find myself liking the author - a sure problem in memoirs. She has some interesting food writing, and some familiar and human downfalls (I too become filled with rage when I need to eat...) but ultimately, I wound up feeling sorry for her husband and less than sympathetic to her aims. A slightly smug and self satisfied air permeates the entire memoir and I think that's what makes me irritated.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Allyson Reedy's commitment to eating only at independent restaurants. its kind of an eye-opener. At times, though, I thought some of the personal stories did not really add to the theme.

[Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book about adventurous eating, made even more fun from knowing the author and many of the restaurants she visits.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found her writing and biographical details very entertaining and they are the reasons I finished this book, eventhough the topic itself did not really interest me in such detail.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best writing and kind of flaky, but kind of interesting.