but I would rather he had eaten a balanced breakfast
and more fruits and vegetables,’’ dietitian Lanette
Roulier said in a December 2000 news release. She
pointed out that people’s dietary needs varied, and
advised the public to consult with a physician and/or
dietitian before starting a weight-loss program. A
restrictive diet of only two sandwiches a day is not
nutritionally sound. Jared Fogle eliminated fruit and
dairy products from his diet. He missed out on the
fiber in fruit and nutrients likevitaminsA and C. The
diet also lacked the calcium found in dairy products.
However, the sandwiches provided fiber and vitamins.
Poultry like turkey was among the lean proteins rec-
ommended in the USDA guidelines. The federal guide
also advised people to limit fat and to participate in
regular physical activity. Fogle did both.
Another issue of the diet was that Fogle skipped
breakfast. The morning meal provides energy for the
day. Eating a healthy breakfast helps children to concen-
trate in school, according to the American Dietetic Asso-
ciation. Research indicates that the morning meal may
also help adults concentrate. In addition, dieters who skip
breakfast may later become hungry and overeat.
Furthermore, the Subway website in 2007 con-
tained a caution in the section about the ‘‘Friends of
Jared.’’ Subway noted that the weight losses depicted
on the site were the result of exercise and a balanced,
reduced-calorie diet that included the low-fat sand-
wiches. Results weren’t typical, according to the
notice, and people were advised to consult their physi-
cians before starting a weight-loss plan.
Fogle acknowledged the deficiencies of his weight-
loss plan. However, the plan helped him shed hundreds
of pounds, weight that he managed to keep off through
a combination of eating in moderation and exercising.
Moreover, a public-health advocacy group in
2002 praised the Subway chain and Fogle for having
‘‘helped lead the way to healthier fast food.’’ That
commendation came from the Center for Science in
the Public Interest (CSPI), which rated Subway’s low-
fat subs as among the nation’s best fast foods. CSPI’s
goals include advocating for nutrition and health.
General acceptance
The Subway diet was popular for a time when
Fogle’s commercials aired during the early 2000s.
The Subway website in 2007 carried information
about 15 ‘‘Friends of Jared,’’ people who incorporated
Subway sandwiches and exercise into their weight-loss
regimens.
After Fogle’s weight loss, he continued to repre-
sent Subway as an advocate of a healthy diet and
exercise. He made about 200 public appearances annu-
ally, a schedule that continued in 2007. His message to
people, particularly school children, was to avoid the
pitfalls that caused childhood obesity. Fogle’s story
and oversized jeans illustrated the factors contributing
to the obesity epidemic.
According to the CDC, the prevalence of obesity
in people between the ages of 20 and 74 increased from
15% during 1976 through 1980 to 32.9% in the time
from 2003 to 2004. The prevalence in younger over-
weight Americans during those years also rose during
that time from:
5% to 13.9% for children aged 2 to 5 years.
6.5% to 18.8% for those aged 6-11 years.
5% to 17.4% for youths ages 12-19 years.
CDC attributed the weight increase to factors
such as poor eating habits and lack of physical activ-
ity. While Fogle’s biography provided a perspective on
a growing trend, his story also demonstrated that
people could successfully lose weight and keep it off.Resources
BOOKS
Fogle, Jared and Bruno, Anthony.Jared, the Subway Guy:
Winning Through Losing: 13 Lessons for Turning Your
Life Around.St. Martin’s Press, 2006.
PERIODICALS
Connolly, Ceci. ‘‘The Subway Guy, Still on a Roll; Jared
Fogle Eats More Now, but Manages to Save Room for
Success. ’’The Washington Post(Oct 12, 2003): D.01.
Durham, Joan. ‘‘Losing weight the sub-way: as a 22-year-old
college student, Jared Fogle took an unusual approach
to losing weight; he went out for a sandwich. ’’Saturday
Evening Post(November/December 2002): 56 (5).
Mills, Bart. ‘‘A story in size 60 pants: Subway spokesman
Jared Fogle brings famous pants, nutrition message to
students. ’’Lima News(March 6, 2007): Electronic
Collection: CJ160190941.
Schoettle, Anthony. ‘‘Jared turns self-improvement into
career: dramatic weight-loss tale opened doors of
opportunity for Indianapolis-based Subway Restau-
rants spokesman. ’’Indianapolis Business Journal(Dec
15, 2003): 17 (2).
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606. (800) 877-1600.<http://
eatright.org>.
Center for Science in the Public Interest 1875 Connecticut
Ave. N.W., Ste. 300, Washington, D.C. 20009. (202)
332-9110.<http://www.cspinet.org>.Subway diet