How many calories in that beaver tail, Mr. President?
Barack Obama’s pitstop for a beaver tail this week was considered by many a perfect ending to his Ottawa trip. Obama reportedly left Parliament Hill and declared that he needed the tasty treat before boarding Air Force One. When it was handed to the President by BeaverTail employee Jessica Millien in the Byward Market, he graciously accepted but did not indulge. Millien speculated that he ate it in the car on the way to the airport. But given Obama’s reputation as a grilled-salmon eating, gym-going, health-conscious guy it wouldn’t be a surprise if he passed on the Canadian treat. After all, if Obama ate every pastry that came his way his physique would look a look a lot more nutty professor, and a lot less like Abe Lincoln.
Justin-Barry Mahoney, office manager of BeaverTail Canada Inc., said that the tail’s dough comes in at 180 calories. That’s before it’s tossed into a deep fryer and toppings are added. The President opted for the ObamaTail (first served on Jan. 20 at the Canadian Embassy in Washington) which comes with whipped cream, chocolate and maple syrup. Jennifer Kasun, who was working at BeaverTails the day Obama touched down, said that when she was hired she was informed that each tail, fully fried, has less calories than a small fry from Harvey’s (240 calories). An “Apple Fritter” from Tim Hortons, by comparison, totals 300 calories with 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat and 16 grams of sugar. And an “Original” doughnut from Krispy Kreme has 200 calories, 12 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat and 11 grams of sugar.
As for whether or not the President indulged, it was later reported that Obama ate a little of the ObamaTail, noting “it was very large.”