
Our Writers' Boldest Opinions About Food
Atlantic writers have never been afraid to make bold claims about beloved foods and beverages. Hard seltzer? Pretty bad, Amanda Mull argued in 2022. Wraps? The worst kind of sandwich, Ellen Cushing argued this week. Others have stood up for oft-maligned cuisine, like milk chocolate and candy corn. (Every time I publicly express my agreement with my colleague Megan Garber on milk chocolate being better than dark, I get a better understanding of her bravery.)
Some of these attempts to revisit what we eat ultimately explore what healthy really means, and why Americans have put so much cultural or social value on certain foods. Today's newsletter explores our writers' most interesting opinions about food and drink.
Food Opinions
The Worst Sandwich Is Back
By Ellen Cushing
Wraps are popular again.
So is a certain kind of physique.
Read the article.
Hard Seltzer Has Gone Flat
By Amanda Mull
Americans are realizing the truth about White Claw: It's bad!
Read the article.
The Truth About Slushies Must Come Out
By Ian Bogost
Every slushie is different. Every slushie is the same.
Still Curious?
The most miraculous—and overlooked—type of milk: Shelf-stable milk is a miracle of food science that Americans just won't drink, Ellen Cushing writes.
Let's not fool ourselves about yogurt: There's a thin line between yogurt and ice cream, Yasmin Tayag writes.
Other Diversions
P.S.
I asked readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. MKT, 78, from Waterford, Connecticut, sent this image of alpenglow over the Jungfrau Massif, from Beatenberg, Switzerland.
I'll continue to feature your responses in the coming weeks.

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Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
My dad is a retired FDNY firefighter, but hasn't slowed down one bit. He's shaped my own vision of work and retirement.
On a recent Saturday morning, my retired parents texted me, the resident family foodie, for restaurant recommendations in Raleigh, North Carolina. I don't live there, but they figured I'd know where to look. They're not on vacation, exactly — they're there for one of my dad's 60-and-over softball league tournaments. This is just part of what retirement looks like for my dad, a retired FDNY firefighter. Rather than settling into a life of golf courses or cruise ship decks, he's just as busy now as he was when he was working — he's simply doing different things. After more than 20 years fighting fires in New York City, with his pension secured, my dad could have easily slowed down. He could have embraced the kind of stillness most people dream about. Instead, he picks up shifts chaperoning events at our hometown high school a few times a month, everything from school dances to football games. During his FDNY days, he spent years as captain of the department's softball team, and these days, he still hits the field for regular batting practice and travels around the country to compete in senior leagues. This is his idea of taking it easy. It doesn't surprise me at all that he hasn't slowed down Some people might ask: Why keep "doing" when you don't need to? But that question has never really made sense to me. My dad never had just one job. He was running into burning buildings, yes, but also running a small sunroom business he had built from the ground up while making sure he never missed my brother's hockey games or my dance recitals. His own parents had grown up in Queens with very little and worked hard to move the family out to a house in the suburbs. I think, on some level, he felt he owed it to them to make good on that effort. The way I saw it growing up, slowing down almost felt selfish — movement wasn't just a habit, it was a way of honoring where we came from. It's no surprise, then, that I find myself replicating that rhythm. I work full-time as the Head of Marketing at a music tech startup, which means that on evenings and weekends, I'm rarely truly "off." And, still, I pitch articles like this one, and I take on freelance clients when I can. The idea of being satisfied with just one job — even if it's a stable one — has never quite taken root in me, and that's not because I fear stillness, but because ambition has always looked like staying in motion. Watching my dad retire taught me that effort doesn't stop being meaningful once the paycheck becomes optional; it just becomes far more personal when you're not just doing it for money. He does it because he likes being part of something that's larger than himself, whether that's in the hallways of his alma mater or trash-talking in the dugout with guys he's known for decades. There's an inherent purpose in that rhythm. And sure, I know what the headlines say: older Americans are working longer, and it's often framed around worries about economic uncertainty, about disappearing pensions, and sometimes that is why. But, sometimes, it's a value system passed down — whether we asked for it or not. I'll likely have a similar version of retirement My dad's version of retirement is not about refusing to rest but rather about refusing to disappear. His life now is proof that being mentally, socially, and physically active can be its own kind of joy, that usefulness and community don't have to be casualties of aging. He's still ordering new bats and gloves, booking travel to tournaments, and texting me for restaurant recs in whatever city he's landed in. Meanwhile, I'm working from home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, laptop open, pitching another story while practicing my Spanish and planning my next salsa class. Clearly, neither of us seems interested in sitting still. When I think about my own future, I'm not sure I'll ever want the version of retirement where I just vanish into leisure, either. Maybe that's the gift my dad gave me: a model for what aging could look like — one where I don't lose sight of myself, but I refocus. Not a stop point, but an entirely new chapter to start — one where your time is still yours to shape in whichever way you see fit. If I ever do retire, I hope it looks a lot like his. Full of play, purpose, and enough momentum to keep me in motion.


New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
More than half of Americans admire the French way of life and how they approach work
More than half of Americans admire the French way of life, with their love of fresh ingredients, arts and culture – and a good work/life balance at the top of the list. A poll of 2,000 adults found 29 percent of France-admirers love their preference for fresh food over processed items, while the same percentage appreciates their love of arts and culture. Advertisement French work practices are also admired by many – with 60 percent believing the French have a better work life balance, compared to just 10 percent for Americans. 5 A poll of 2,000 adults found 29 percent of France-admirers love fresh food over processed items and appreciate their love of arts and culture. Artem – More than one in five (22 percent) respect their commitment to clocking off work at their contracted time, and 22 percent like how they protect lunch breaks as a 'sacred time.' Enjoying fine cuisine and their sense of style are also among the areas Americans admire about the French lifestyle. Advertisement It also emerged 22 percent of those who know of the French way of life would love to adopt certain aspects into their own lives – with the most envied areas being food, time for hobbies and interests, and taking longer lunch breaks. 5 The most envied areas of French life are food, time for hobbies and interests and longer lunch breaks. Adam Gray / 72Point / PinPep While 21 percent have taken onboard their attitudes to romance, with the same number trying to be more humble. A spokesperson for bakery brand St Pierre, which commissioned the study and surprised Americans during their lunch break with a French dining experience to encourage them to 'Eat Avec Respect' said: 'The French lifestyle is often admired and romanticized worldwide and for good reason. Advertisement 'There's something timeless and deeply alluring about the French way of life that continues to captivate Americans. 5 'There's something timeless and deeply alluring about the French way of life that continues to captivate Americans,' a spokesperson for bakery brand St Pierre, who commissioned the study, said. Adam Gray / 72Point / PinPep 'Whether it's the art of slowing down, prioritizing quality over quantity, or the effortless sense of style, France offers a rhythm of life that feels both sophisticated and grounded. 'It's a culture that places value on experiences – a morning coffee at a sidewalk café, a leisurely stroll through a local market, or an afternoon spent with family around the table.' Advertisement The research also found 29 percent of Americans consider it 'unlikely' that French people admire any parts of the American lifestyle. 5 29 percent of Americans consider it 'unlikely' that French people admire any parts of the American lifestyle. Ekaterina Pokrovsky – And 42 percent would even like to hop across the Atlantic permanently and live in France someday. But if US citizens were to present American food to other countries, they'd be most proud to offer a meaty cheeseburger (27 percent) or some fried chicken (27 percent). With nearly as many (26 percent) as proud of barbecue ribs, and 22 percent opting to show off a classic US apple pie. But one in four of those polled, via OnePoll, admit they get most of their information about the French lifestyle from social media like Instagram or TikTok, while 19 percent pick it up from YouTube. 5 42 percent of Americans would like to live in France someday. zigres – The spokesperson for St Pierre, which has also created a hilarious video teaching American workers to be more 'French' in their lunch-taking, said: 'Many Americans admire how the French approach balance – not just in food and fashion, but in work and rest. Advertisement 'There's a deep respect for boundaries when it comes to time off, and a national understanding that taking proper breaks isn't laziness – it's essential to wellbeing and productivity. 'Good food is good for the soul, which is why we believe that lunchbreaks – and any other meal time – is a time to 'eat avec respect'.' TOP 20 THINGS AMERICANS ADMIRE ABOUT THE FRENCH LIFESTYLE: 1. Eating fresh ingredients 2. Love of arts and culture Advertisement 3. The ideal work/life balance 4. Making time to enjoy meals 5. Enjoying the best moments in life 6. Being romantics Advertisement 7. Appreciating fine cuisine 8. Overall better diet than the Americans 9. Better food and drink standards than America 10. Sense of style Advertisement 11. Ditching processed foods 12. Living humbly 13. Taking in their surroundings rather than rushing through the city 14. Making time for hobbies and interests 15. Making time for cooking 16. Better food and drink options than America 17. Being authentic 18. Passionate about interests 19. Good etiquette skills 20. Making every mealtime an occasion

Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Epoch Times
Solo Retirement? How to Thrive When You're on Your Own
Often, retirement brings images of couples traveling the world, relaxing on porches, or downsizing to a sunny condo. However, retirement is a solo venture for millions of Americans. Whether by choice, circumstance, or chance, retiring alone is becoming increasingly common. According to The good news? It's possible to enjoy a deeply fulfilling, liberating, and lifelong retirement with the right planning and mindset.