Although it’s been a quarter of a century since Elvis died on his porcelain throne, millions of fans remain loyal to America’s “king,” inspired by his signature style and soulful music. And judging by their own broadening bellies and bottoms, they are putting away the same unhealthy, fattening foods that he did.
Elvis had a king-sized appetite, and after years of gorging himself on cheeseburgers, barbecued chicken, and milkshakes and seeing his girth expand, he traded in his painted-on jeans for polyester jumpsuits.
Flab: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Like Elvis, Americans are getting fatter and fatter. The now-standard American diet of meat, dairy products, and eggs—all of which are packed with cholesterol and saturated fat—has made ours the world’s most obese nation. Not only flab, but the ground, shakes when Americans walk.
 He Didn’t Have a Wooden Heart
Elvis Aaron Presley was just 42 years old when he dropped his drawers and keeled over from a heart attack. PETA is in the midst of our tour of America’s 10 fattest cities with Elvis and the “throne” that he died upon. We call our visits to the nation’s tubbiest towns the “Don’t Be Cruel” Tour—don’t be cruel to your heart and body. We’re hoping to inspire you to explore vegetarianism, a simple, healthy way for you to help your health—and the animals.
Don’t Leave Them Crying in the Chapel
More Americans than ever—61 percent, according to a U.S. surgeon general’s report released last December—are clinically overweight. More than one in every four are obese (seriously overweight), and every year, 300,000 Americans die needlessly from obesity-related diseases.
Surrender!
Simply eliminating animal products, including meat, dairy products, and eggs, can drastically reduce artery-clogging cholesterol and fat consumption—and help Americans become slimmer and healthier. Vegans have a heart disease mortality rate that is one-tenth (or less) that of carnivores, and a low-fat vegan diet can actually reverse heart disease. Instead of a Philly cheese steak, try a vegetarian Boca Burger with Fakin’ Bacon. Swap the banana split for a bowl of raspberry sorbet with fresh fruit on top. You’ll find aisles of low-fat, nutritious all-vegetarian foods at your local supermarkets and health food stores—and almost every restaurant offers meatless fare.
 Don’t Be Cruel to a Heart That’s True …
Elvis loved animals. He knew they loved him back. But like a lot of Americans, he didn’t make the connection to his plate. You can make a conscious choice, three times a day, to make life easier for animals. As more and more Americans kick their meat addictions, fewer animals are raised on miserable, crowded factory farms and kicked, beaten, and prodded to their deaths in slaughterhouses. More than 25 billion thinking, feeling animals are killed every year in the U.S. for a habit that is killing the people who eat them. For them and for us, the meat industry is the devil in disguise.
It’s never been easier—or tastier—to go vegetarian. Try it and odds are that the pounds will melt away. It won’t be long before you’re singing, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love … With Veggies” and “Tofu’s the Name of My Latest Flame.”
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