Study Calls This Famous Idaho Dessert a “Gateway to Obesity”

A recent survey thinks they're onto something--labeling each state's "gateway" dessert--the one that could lead to obesity.

Idaho's is a little predictable, if there is even any truth to their findings. Other states however, were quite interesting.

Let's get down to it--which desserts are the most dangerous in our area?

So what are these desserts anyway? 

We were most confused by Washington's because we had never heard of it. A "Nanaimo Bar" is a dessert that you don't even have to bake. Apparently it originates from British Columbia, Canada and consists of three layers: wafer, nut, and coconut crumbs on the base, with custard and chocolate on top, in layers.

Oregon's treat was very familiar to us--a Marionberry pie! A Marionberry, if you're unfamiliar, is similar to a blackberry and accounts for over half of the blackberries produced in Oregon--hence the popularity in pies!

Utah's was quite simple--our question is: why Jell-O?

In California, a Meyer Lemon Cake is their alleged delicacy--or--dessert that is a gateway to obesity. We learned that it's just a lemon cake with a certain "Meyer" breed of lemons.

Finally-- Idaho and our beloved Ice Cream potato! A giant "ball" of vanilla ice cream rolled in cocoa powder, topped with all sorts of chocolates and cremes--they look just like an Idaho baked potato!

As for the survey that compiled all of these-- only 3,000 or so respondents reflect all 50 states, so we're taking their results with a grain of salt and acknowledging their headline as a little dramatic. However--for Idaho, their findings cite that 22% of Idahoans would break a healthy eating pattern just to have an ice cream potato.