Pret A Mangled: Part Deux

...."I write the copy. I'm to blame. Blame me. Sorry if it's a bit annoying, I don't mean it to be.

It's true, diets are sad. For most people diets are all about cutting back on biscuits, cutting back on crisps and Snickers bars ... and all the other junk put in front of us, day in day out. Did you know in the Japanese language there is no such word as "diet"."....

Errr, no. Diets aren't sad. The nation is getting podgier by the minute, a fact our friends at The Fitness Industry Association are starting to tackle. 

Companies have to step forward and take responsibility. A lot of Pret's offerings - much as I love their clever marketing, their brilliant service ethic, their beautiful store design - are quite simply not that healthy. There are serious levels of fat, carbs, sugar and salt in many of their lines.

But really, Pret could take the lead.

Pret is perfectly poised to lead the debate and lead the initiative to genuinely healthy food. Maybe Julian and his crew don't believe if they really cut the fat and sugar et al they could still be successful. Macdonald's addressed doing this a couple of years ago with The Big Move To Salads, but it didn't work because basically people go to The Golden Arches to get a burger. It didn't stack up.

Pret's super slick marketing exudes health and balance. If the product actually reflected this, it would be win-win all round.

Diets aren't sad, Julian. A couple of women I know well have done respectively the GI Diet and the South Beach Diet - two really sensible balanced diets that so many in this country are following - and in the words of Stevie Wonder, they're hotter than July. It's been life-changing stuff. Don't knock what works.

Pret, you're a stunning operation. Now take responsibility and be stunning humans.