essay about fast food is bad for health

Fast Food Effects on Human Health

Fast food poses a profound negative impact on health due to the dynamic preparation means and the reliance on carbohydrates. Apart from the reuse of oils, a significant percentage of junk lacks a balanced diet for consumers. The phenomenon results in the ideological perspectives of increased obesity and the emergence of lifestyle diseases. This research utilizes analytical methodologies in comparing previous records between 2019 and 2021 to determine the effect of fast foods on individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Further, the researcher integrates certain values encompassing gender, age, ethnicity, and range of income. Although the TEAM experienced limitations concerning subjective responses posing higher bias scores, they alleviated the incumbent by using descriptive and inferential statistics. During modeling, the significant variant is logical regression against cross-validation.

Introduction

The popularity and consumption rate of fast-food restaurants is one of the trending issues in cities and towns. The ease engulfs the concept of low costs, desired taste, hasty preparation, and convenient locations (Fryar et al., 2020). Primarily, the cafeteria emergence offers an ultimate solution regarding feeding habits. However, it is a phenomenon that also increases the rate of health risks among consumers. The consistent use of the suet at high temperatures leads to the breaking down the chemical compounds into significantly toxic elements for the human body. Although fast food offers an ultimate convenient solution to dieting, it is a multidimensional phenomenon that increases consumers’ health risks.

Factors that Influence Effect of Fast Food

One of the issues posed in fast food restaurants is the primary use of the deep-frying cooking technique. A significant percentage of the meal preparation approaches optimize frizzling as the fastest and most convenient catering service (Fryar et al., 2020). To boost the profit margin, the chef uses less oil to sear the food in large amounts. In some cases, the cook recycles the oil cause of economic sustenance. However, the utilization determines the rate of health risk to the consumers due to the breaking down of the chemical compounds.

Project Overview

Project objectives.

There is a proficient dataset corresponding to the research question, “Effect of fast food on human health.” The dataset includes food price comparisons, health metrics, and obesity statistics. The source material relates to the research question encompassing the dynamic effect of junk eating on individuals. In this case, the article provides an in-depth analysis of the variation across sexuality and ethnic groups concerning the feeding habits and the attributable causes of the lifestyle (Fryar et al., 2020). The organization in charge of the contextual baseline for the publication is National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which manages data collection concerning the well-being index among Americans.

NCHS is a component of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on assessing the impact of lifestyle illnesses on nationalities. It is a practice that profoundly provides insights into the significant medical issues and the causative agents across the population. Fryar et al.’s (2020) report is a compilation of the comparative approach concerning the 2015 to 2018 records on the impact of fast food on people along the gradient of age, gender, and ethnic diversity. The sample size will be determined by the population metrics of the data sources. The research fosters the overview of critical variables relevant in this study involving the eminence of fatty foods and the intermittent consequence of obesity.

Analytic Questions

• Is it cheaper to eat fast food than home-cooked meals?
• Does fast food damage your mental health as well as your physical health?
• What is fast food’s contribution to obesity in the US?

Specific Details

This study will use information from 2019 to 2021 as the primary data source for analysis concerning the impact of fast food on the human body. The analysis focuses on the trickle-down effect on the lifestyle among the nationalities. Therefore, the survey will include the US due to the proficient impact of the practice among the residents. Three rows and instances will be used in order to include three key metrics. The data features involve evaluating the relationship between feeding habits from convenient restaurants and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of coronavirus led to the lockdown of American and other global nations’ economies.

Data Wrangling

The number of rows will be three for a better comprehension of the discussion subject. The critical data features incorporated in the final project enshrine a comparison of the gender, age, ethnicity, and income differential range relative to the tendencies to consume products from a cafeteria. The marginalization under the mainframe of such inequities as education, occupation, and income cause the interdependence between convenient cafeteria outlets and poor households.

The TEAM intends to use logical regression in the exploration of the findings and justification of the objectives. It is an entity that engulfs the intersectionality of statistical overview against the logistics from the realm. During the data collection process, the significant errors involve the subjective interpretation of respondents’ attitudes toward dieting that risks bias. However, the TEAM will utilize descriptive and inferential statistics to complete the phase. The transformation used by the TEAM involved the utilization of several datasets within a closed time period to establish the key variable of objectivity during the data analysis.

The assessment approach renders the comprehension concerning the goals of the study on the impact of fast food on healthy living among people. Different aspects contribute to the dynamic effect of the framework among the personalities hence the importance of understanding the impact on mental health, obesity, and cost-efficiency.

Fryar, C., Carroll, M., Ahluwalia, N., & Ogden, C. (2020). Fast food intake among children and adolescents in the United States, 2015-2018 . NCHS Data Brief . Web.

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The Hidden Dangers of Fast and Processed Food *

The fundamental concern as we look to reform health in America is the known reality that most chronic diseases that afflict Americans are predominantly lifestyle induced; and the belief is that the vast majority of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if people were willing to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, healthy lifestyles would impact a significant number of cancers which are also believed to be related to lifestyle exposures, especially to obesity, cigarettes, and other toxins.

Over the past 50 years, the health of Americans has gotten worse, and now 71% of Americans are overweight or obese—not 66%, which was reported 5 years ago. 1 That means a staggering 100 million people in America are obese. Today, eating processed foods and fast foods may kill more people prematurely than cigarette smoking. 2

Authorities determined the 71% figure by classifying people with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m 2 as overweight or obese. Yet in long-lived societies such as in the “Blue Zones” (Ikaria, Greece; Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica; and Loma, Linda California) and wherever we find groups of centenarians, we observe a healthy BMI below 23 kg/m 2 , not 25 kg/m 2 . If we use above 23 kg/m 2 as the demarcation for overweight or obesity, then we find that 88% of Americans are overweight. And out of the approximately 10% that are of normal weight, the majority of those so-called “normal weight individuals” are either cigarette smokers, or suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction or dependency, autoimmune disease, occult cancers, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune conditions, digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and other illnesses that lower their body weight. Therefore, perhaps that only about 5% of the American population is at a normal weight as a result of eating healthy and living a healthy life. A recent study documented that only 2.7% of Americans adopt a relatively healthy lifestyle by combining exercise with healthy eating. 3 The Standard American Diet (SAD) is clearly not a healthy diet.

I use the term “Fast Food Genocide” because most don’t understand the depth and breadth of the harm as a large segment of our society eats a diet worse than the dangerous SAD. Many people recognize that junk food, fast food, processed food, white flour, sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, and all the junk people are eating contribute to in obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, dementia and cancer, but many don’t realize the strong causative role an unhealthy diet may have in mental illness. Currently, 1 in 5 Americans suffers from a psychiatric disorder. And many people don’t realize the harm that processed foods have on Americans living in urban areas where they don’t have easy access to whole, fresh foods.

These unfortunate folks live in what we call “food deserts,” with reduced availability to fresh fruits and vegetables. Because of the limited access to supermarkets, they eat more unhealthy fast and processed foods and end up having 7 times the risk of early-life stroke (before age 45), putting people in nursing homes in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. 4 - 7

The vulnerable poor in these areas also have double the risk of heart attack, double the risk of diabetes, and 4 times the risk of renal failure 8 - 10 ; Unfortunately, the decrease in life span due to food inequality is shocking but rarely discussed. A substantial proportion of people in these urban environments are overweight, prediabetic, or fully diabetic. Researchers determined that compared with other areas in America with easy access to supermarket food, that the YPLL (Years of Potential Life Lost) for an overweight diabetic living in a zone classified as a food desert was a shocking 45 years! 11 , 12

A link may even exist between fast food, processed food, commercial baked goods, and sweets and destruction of brain cell and a lowering of intelligence. Candy and sweetened baked goods may even stimulate the brain in an addictive fashion, which can lead to more serious illnesses.

The nutritional fundamentals accepted by the World Health Organization and most nutritional authorities today include vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and fruit as healthy foods; and salt, saturated fat, and excess sugar as disease causing. Excessive amounts of animal products may lead to premature aging, increased risk of chronic disease and higher all-cause mortality. Multiple studies have been published on hundreds of thousands of people, followed for decades showing that the objective endpoint of death is increased with higher amounts of animal product consumption. 13 - 17 Furthermore, refined carbohydrates may not just lead to being overweight and diabetic but also contribute to dementia, mental illness, and cancer. 18 - 21 There is considerable evidence today that heart disease is not only promoted by saturated fat and increased animal products but also by refined carbohydrates, including white rice, white bread, sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar. 22 - 25

Research has shown that excess calories shorten lifespan, whereas moderate caloric restriction slows the aging process and protects the body and brain. Americans consume more calories than any other population; and they consume foods, many of which have minimal or no nutritional value (soda and alcohol as examples). So let’s consider the individual who is consuming 50 excess calories per day. What will be the short- and long-term result? Fifty excess calories per day, over and above your basic metabolic needs, over a 10-year period, adds about 50 pounds of extra body weight. The excess weight increases the risk of multiple chronic illnesses, cancers, and also takes many years of life away from the individual simply as a result of consuming only 50 calories a day too many.

Conversely, if an individual consumed 50 calories a day less that their metabolic requirements what would happen then? Would he or she become too thin, anorexic, and unhealthy? Would their bones fall apart? Obviously not! When you moderately caloric-restrict, even a small amount such as 50 to 100 calories a day, weight remains about the same, the person is slim, not too thin, and healthy. He or she will have a lower body fat percentage, and the skeletal mass, bones, and muscle mass are strong. In this scenario, the metabolic rate would slow down accordingly. The respiratory quotient, (the number of calories lost through respiration) would decrease, the body temperature would lower, and thyroid function would decrease slightly, all lowering the metabolic rate, which overall may result in a slowing of the aging process. The secret to a long life and freedom from chronic disease may be simply to moderately reduce calories in order to slow down our metabolic rate. The only behavior proven scientifically to dramatically increase life span in every species of animals, including primates, is to lower caloric intake while maintaining an environment of micronutrient adequacy, assuring that we have exposure to every micronutrient humans need. The American diet is also deficient in antioxidants and phytochemicals that are needed for normal immune function, for maximizing brain health, protecting against dementia, chronic illness, cancer, and premature aging.

A nutritarian diet is designed to establish excellent micronutrient intake without excess calories . A nutritarian diet is designed to help prolong human life span, decrease the risk of cancer, and keep the brain functioning well for many years. This principle is represented by the equation I use: H = N /C, which means your healthy life expectancy (H) is proportional to the micronutrient (N) per calorie intake (C) over your life span. This means that we are encouraged to seek out foods that are rich in nutrients. We should try to limit or exclude empty-calorie foods and drinks. We should also limit or avoid calorically dense foods, and not eat for recreation or when we are not hungry.

A nutritarian diet is rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants. It is a vegetable-based, utilizing a wide assortment of colorful vegetables, root vegetables, green vegetables, peas, beans, mushrooms, onions, nuts, seeds, and some intact whole grains. While the standard American diet and most traditional diets are grain-based and lack sufficient exposure to the broad spectrum of antioxidants and phytochemicals (with their anticancer effects), it is important to note that not all plant-based diets are equally cancer-protective. As an example, a rice-heavy, macrobiotic diet limits phytochemical diversity, and brown rice produced in this country is contaminated with arsenic, extensively documented by Consumer Reports and white rice is refined, high glycemic food, and therefore not a healthy starch.

In comparison, the SAD is almost the opposite of a nutritarian diet. Over 55% of the SAD’s calories are processed foods, and about 33% of calories come from animal products. If we are looking at the amount of fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) consumed in America, the food consumption data reports about 10%; but in actuality, it is less than 5%, because they include French fries and ketchup in the definition of “produce!” The point here is that processed foods such as bread, pasta, salad oil, mayonnaise, doughnuts, cookies, rice cakes, breakfast bars, chips, soda, candy, and popcorn do not contain a significant micronutrient benefit. A piece of chicken is like a bagel, because they are both rich sources of macronutrients (calories), but neither one contains the necessary amounts of micronutrients, especially the antioxidants and phytochemicals only found in plants.

The high glycemic white flour products with added sweetening agents, flood the bloodstream with glucose without fiber, nutrients, or phytochemicals; and these baked goods are also high in acrylamides and advanced glycation end-products, further increasing the glycoproteins in our tissues. The resulting spike in glucose leads to abnormally high amounts of insulin, which will also promote angiogenesis, which fuels the growth of fat cells, increases cellular replication and tumor growth. The liberal amount of animal protein (including chicken which many incorrectly believe is the more healthy meat) consumed by most Americans promotes excessive insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1), making a synergistic “sandwich” of insulin and IGF-1, which may accelerate aging of the brain, interfere with cellular detoxification and repair, and promote cancer. 26 The SAD has created a nutritional disaster and a significant health crisis that will not be solved by governmental “health care reform.”

Now when we think about “fast food” we’re not just referring to the food in fast food restaurants. Fast foods include chips, soda, cookies, candy, breakfast cereals, bars, French fries, burgers, pizza, white flour baked goods, and all other high-calorie, low-nutrient foods that people often eat multiple times per day. These are processed foods and for many, are the primary source of calories. These fast foods have certain characteristics: They can be accessed easily and quickly; they don’t need to be prepared; they come out of a bag or box ready to go right into your mouth. You can eat them rapidly and they’re absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream. These fast foods typically contain multiple chemicals and synthetic ingredients. They are calorically dense, highly flavored, and nutritionally barren. Fast foods typically contain extra corn syrup, sugar, artificial sweeteners, salt, coloring agents, and other potentially disease promoting chemicals.

When calories flood the bloodstream rapidly they have dramatic biological effects. Let’s compare 200 calories of white bread to 200 calories of beans. The white bread would be metabolized into simple sugars (glucose) which enters the bloodstream in 5 to 10 minutes. This requires a rapid increase in insulin; and the rapid insulin response will remain for hours. On the other hand, the carbohydrates from beans will take much more time to be digested and, as a result these calories enter the bloodstream slowly. Essentially, the calories will trickle in over hours. When eating beans, a small amount of glucose enters the blood each minute and therefore you won’t need much of an insulin response to deal with this amount of sugar. As mentioned above, the buildup of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accelerates aging and chronic disease. 27 , 28 When a diabetic suffers from kidney failure, blindness, or a leg amputation, a major causative factor is the buildup of AGEs in the tissues. Interestingly, these same glycated end-products and glycoproteins build up in the tissues of people who are not diabetic but who continually expose themselves to excess sugar and white flour products.

Next, it is important to understand that oils are also processed foods. When consumed, oil enters the bloodstream rapidly similar to high glycemic carbohydrates. Anything cooked in oil should be considered a fast food. Beans, nuts, and seeds are whole foods whose calories are absorbed gradually over hours. In contrast, the calories from oil are absorbed rapidly, and are largely empty calories (with insignificant micronutrients and no fiber)—a combination that leads to obesity, disease, and premature aging.

If I set up a buffet dinner and I asked all the guests to form 2 lines and then gave everyone on the right side a tablespoon of olive oil, and each of those on the left side an apple to consume while they were waiting in line, those who ate the 65-calorie apple will generally eat 65 less calories from the buffet. But those who had the 120-calorie tablespoon of oil will not usually consume 120 calories less. The oil contains neither fiber, nor micronutrients and contains nothing to decrease the appestat. A matter of fact, if you put oil on food, it may actually increase one’s appetite. Not only will these individuals not eat fewer calories—they will eat even more than the 120 calories from the oil. 29 When added or mixed into food, oil drives overeating behavior.

Nutrients and fiber are needed to control the appestat, so you consume a healthy amount of calories. My experience has demonstrated with thousands of patients, the more nutrient and fiber dense your diet becomes the lower your drive to overeat. 30 This is extremely important, because even a moderate amount of extra fat on the body induces more rapid aging and increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. A mild degree of caloric restriction becomes comfortable and achievable when the diet is high in micronutrients and fiber. When you have enough micronutrients and fiber in your diet, you don’t feel driven to overeat. But when you don’t have enough micronutrients and fiber in your diet, you become a food-craving, overeating machine.

Even worse is what happens when you eat food fried in oil because fried food may create carcinogenic and mutagenic aldehydes. 31 Food that is fried such as in a fast food restaurant is usually cooked in oil that has been heated and used multiple times. One serving of French fries or fried chicken that is cooked in a fast food restaurant has 100 times the level of aldehydes designated as safe by the World Health Organization. Even the fumes are so toxic they increase the risk of cancer. People working in restaurants that fry the food, or those working in a movie theater making popcorn, have a heighted risk of lung and other cancers, even if they don’t eat any of the fried foods. 32

The explosion of fast food restaurants has significantly increased the intake of fried foods, and people are now eating 1000 times the amount of soybean oil compared with the early 1900s. 33 Humans never ate 400 calories of oil a day the way people do in America, especially in the Southern states—which are known for the highest stroke and heart attack rates in the world. 34 When you use nuts and seeds as your source of fat as opposed to oil, we see the opposite effect.

The Physician’s Health Study, the Nurses’ Health Study, Iowa Women’s Health Study, the Adventist Health Study—any study with large numbers of people followed for decades—demonstrates the relationship between nut and seed consumption and longer life span. We always have to give more credence to clinical research studies that involve large numbers of people followed over decades using objective endpoints such as mortality. When you do that, you find that people who consume nuts and seeds regularly have lower cancer rates, lower cardiovascular death rates, lower sudden cardiac death, less irregular heartbeats, and an increase in life span.

A 2015 meta-analysis that included over 44 000 deaths demonstrated an almost 40% decrease in cardiovascular mortality for people eating nuts and seeds regularly (one serving a day). The European PreviMed study, which randomized 7216 individuals to nuts or olive oil as part of a Mediterranean diet showed a 39% decrease in all-cause mortality in the nut eaters. 35

When we look at the health implications of animal protein we should compare this type of nutrition with plant-based proteins, especially when an individual has cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, or even cancer. When your protein comes from beans, nuts, seeds, and greens, the body more gradually assimilates a complete array of amino acids to make functional proteins and hormones, keeping IGF-1 production much lower. Adequate amounts of plant protein keep IGF-1 in that moderate range, between 100 and 175, which is where it should be. The average American’s IGF-1 level is around 225, which is a level which has been linked to cancer promotion. When we eat a variety of plants, we get a full balance of amino acids, which slowly enter the blood—and we also digest some of the bacteria in the digestive track and some of the cells that slough off of the villi endothelium, enabling the utilization of partially incomplete plant proteins, now made complete. Conversely, when you eat large portions of meat, eggs, or cheese, the amino acid mix enters the bloodstream faster and because it is already biologically complete, it stimulates excessive amounts of IGF-1, again increasing the risk of cancer. 36 - 43

The average American consumes 10 to 20 ounces a day of animal products, whereas the safe level of consumption is likely less than 10 ounces per week . My estimate of 10% of calories as an upper limit of safe consumption is for a person with favorable genetics and is still likely more animal products than ideal for the nonelderly adults. It may be the case that under 5% of calories from animal products would be more ideal for life span and for facilitating disease reversal. Of course, any diet designed to optimize health should include a broad array of colorful plants with phytochemicals and antioxidants, which have been shown to increase life span and prevent cancer.

The animal products served at fast food restaurants are making the health of the population much worse, creating dangerous carcinogens from the food being grilled, barbecued, and fried at high temperatures. The World Health Organization has classified processed meats (hot dogs, sausage, bacon, and lunch meats) a class 1 carcinogen. AGEs are also highest in barbecued and fried animal products which also contain cancer-causing chemicals such as heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and lipid peroxidases, which are mutagenic.

There are 2 phases of the digestive cycle: the anabolic phase, when you are eating and digesting, and the catabolic phase, when digestion has ceased. When you are eating and digesting food, the body turns those calories into stored glycogen, increasing fat storage and the storage of waste. During this phase of the digestive cycle, growth hormones and fat storage hormones are activated.

When your body is finished digesting, you enter the catabolic phase, where the stored glycogen and fat are utilized for energy. This is the phase when your body can most effectively detoxify and enhance cellular repair. It is the time when the liver and kidneys work together to remove aldehydes, AGEs, and other toxic metabolites. Repair and healing is enhanced during the catabolic phase when you are not eating food.

Most Americans have made their bodies so toxic, that when they enter the catabolic phase of the digestive cycle, they feel uncomfortable. That means they feel fatigue, headache, stomach cramping or fluttering, anxiety, or other uncomfortable symptoms when they stop digesting food and the body starts to mobilize waste and repair the damage. They typically interpret these symptoms as hunger or low blood sugar, because they feel better if they eat again—even though there is no biological need for calories at this time; and so they just get fatter and sicker. Every addiction has a “high” during the caloric rush and a “low” during withdrawal and repair from the disease-causing diet and resultant metabolic wastes and toxins that accrue from it. The American diet results in withdrawal symptoms and discomfort which promotes overeating and too-frequent eating. The lower the quality of the food consumed, the more discomfort felt when not eating and digesting, which makes it very difficult to maintain a healthy body weight.

If you’re healthy and eating nutritious food, you feel nothing when you enter the catabolic phase, with no desire to eat again until glycogen stores are nearly exhausted. True hunger is a mild sensation felt in the throat and base of the neck. True hunger heightens taste sensitivity too, making eating more pleasurable. True hunger directs when you should eat and therefore it’s more difficult to become overweight if you pay attention to the signs your body sends to your brain. Being overweight requires eating outside of the demands of true hunger, either recreationally or because of withdrawal symptoms from improper eating, stimulating the overconsumption of calories.

Enhanced detoxification—reduction of metabolic waste, aldehydes, and AGEs—occurs most effectively in the catabolic phase. That means the longer you live in the catabolic phase of the digestive cycle, the longer you live. If you finish dinner earlier or have a lighter dinner, and you have a 13-hour window between the end of dinner and the start of breakfast, you are going to live longer. A recent study had women with breast cancer followed for 10 years and found that those who finished dinner earlier and had a 13-hour window before the start of breakfast had a 26% reduction in the risk of death or recurrence from breast cancer. 44 , 45 The increased nighttime window was also linked to improved glycemic control and a lower HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin). They had no better diet, no different number of calories, no better food; they just finished dinner earlier.

The goal for excellent health is to eat as infrequently as possible. Many people believe just the opposite and eat frequent small meals that increase endothelial dysfunction leading to an increased risk for arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In addition, all the fad diets encourage people to make the wrong choices about what and when to eat. Many suggest the use of frequent high-protein meals so as not to feel the effects of normal detoxification. When the digestive track is continually busy, it results in accelerated aging.

Processed and fast foods are also high in salt. The fast and processed food manufacturers don’t just put salt on the French fries and on the meat, they also put salt in the French fry batter and inside the chopped meat. They also include high fructose corn syrup in most foods. The added fat, sugar, and salt create a taste that makes people crave these foods, a sensation that many describe as an addiction. Both sugar and salt intake increase stroke risk, especially when consumed daily for years. Additionally, what is generally not appreciated is that the regular consumption of artificially sweetened soda creates more of a stroke risk. 46 High salt does not merely raise blood pressure; it also causes microvascular hemorrhaging, which damages the interior walls of the blood vessels in the brain and increases permeability and the propensity for hemorrhagic stroke. 47 , 48

Over the past 30 years, we’ve also seen an explosion of diabetes in Japan, Korea, and China, occurring at a lower body weight than we typically see in America, likely because the cumulative effects of eating more fast food, more oil and sugar, along with all of the white rice (a refined, high glycemic food), which they already had in their diet.

We know that people have the power to change when significant effort and attention is directed to the problems at hand. With good information, emotional support, increased food availability and food preparation instruction, we have found people enthused and willing to work together for change. They don’t have to be convinced of the tragic dangers of fast food; they see the obesity, diabetes, leg amputations, strokes, and blindness all around them. But if people don’t have good information, then they don’t have a choice. If they don’t have access to healthy, affordable food, and they don’t know how to make it taste good, then they are not given a chance to change.

The goal for physicians and other health care professionals is to work to transform America’s inner cities into zones of nutritional excellence. Our nation’s pride and heritage are based on the equal opportunity to achieve the American dream of prosperity and happiness. This critical information needs to be spread and put into action by community activists, teachers, educators, celebrities, health professionals, athletes, and politicians. The more people who know the critical importance of eating healthfully, and the more they take a stand, the greater the effect will be on transforming the health of all in America. By working together, we can save millions of lives.

Acknowledgments

This work was presented at Lifestyle Medicine 2017, October 22-25; Tucson, AZ.

Authors’ Note: The opinions presented in this article are those of the author and may not represent those of the Guest Editor, Editor, or the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Ethical Approval: Not applicable, because this article does not contain anystudies with human or animal subjects.

Informed Consent: Not applicable, because this article does not contain anystudies with human or animal subjects.

Trial Registration: Not applicable, because this article does not contain anyclinical trials.

Causes and Effects of Fast Food: Essay Example

Essay about fast food: introduction, causes of fast food: essay body paragraph, effects of fast food: essay body paragraph, fast food causes and effects: conclusion, reference list.

Food is an integral part of any culture and society around the globe. Until the last century, most people used to eat fresh, home-cooked food. Eating was a process that required specific preparations. However, now, we see that they prefer to eat fast food such as pizza, hamburgers, or fried chicken.

These fast-food restaurants have become common on our streets, and people of all ages visit them. The popularity of these restaurants has increased internationally. There are many reasons why fast food has become popular, and fast food also has some serious effects on humans and society.

The basic question is, what made fast food so popular this last century? One answer would be that the change in lifestyle compared to before is a cause for this. It pushes workers or people to eat fast food than cook food themselves.

For instance, two working parents are a good example of this. Due to their jobs, they do not have time to cook for their children or even themselves. As a consequence, they find it easier to order from these fast food restaurants rather than cook. That is why they favor fast food over their own cooked food.

Another cause of fast food usage is long working hours, which may also lead people to eat outside the home. There are many fast-food businesses in our cities. Some are McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc. We can make a long list with hundreds of names from these restaurants.

During the last couple of years, we saw a lot of advertisements and promotions for those restaurants. Nevertheless, there still remains a question of why they spend to promote ineffective food. What are the reasons for this? The answer is that fast food is easy to cook. It does not take long to cook, and it is readily available. The shareholders of these businesses have their own goals, that of the profits they get from these restaurants.

Above, we have seen the causes that may have led to the flourishing of the fast-food industry. However, what is more important, is its effects on society and human beings. The primary effect that fast food has on human beings is that it can get your health in danger status. First, fast food can cause vitamin deficiencies that may, in turn, help to cause diseases.

Obesity is one of the consequences of fast food on the human body. Obesity comes because fast food is the factor that enriches the body with fats. So people will become less healthy, less effective, and less productive, and this is the conclusion of obesity (Adams, 2007, pp. 155).

Another serious effect of the popularity of fast food presences is the loss of the family tradition of eating together. The family used to eat together, and thus they had the opportunity to talk with each other about daily problems.

Fast food also affects the income of the family. The conclusion is that fast food is more expensive than the food you cook for yourself.

In conclusion, it can be said that fast food has been born out of the modern way of living in our societies. Unfortunately, its effects on the human body and health are unfavorable. It also has other adverse effects on the income of a family. It would be best to avoid eating fast foods as much as possible.

Adams, C., 2007. Reframing the obesity debate: McDonald’s role may surprise you. Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, no. 35: pp. 154-157.

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Fast Food Argumentative Essay

The debate on eating fast foods has gained momentum in the recent years with many people advocating against them. There are those who argue that people should not be told to avoid fast foods because they have the right to eat what they want and are responsible for their lives. On the other hand, those against eating fast foods assert that some of the practices and contents related to fast foods are health hazards and people do not know such facts. As such, they educate the public on such hazards. Although people have the right to eat what they want, they should be fair to their bodies and avoid eating harmful substances. Although fast food restaurants make delicious food, they should be avoided because they are harmful to human health.

Harmful effects of fast food

The harmful effects of fast foods to the human health come from the way the food is prepared. Research has shown that the livestock that is slaughtered to supply beef to the fast foods is concentrated into feedlots before being taken through the meat processing assembly lines (Schlosser 23). Most employees in these processing lines are poorly trained and may contaminate the meat, leading to food poisoning. Moreover, the majority of fast foods cook their meals in beef tallow, which has a high concentration of saturated fats. These fats have been found to be a leading cause of heart diseases. The tight schedules at fast food restaurants limit their chances of training their employees on proper food handling practices and procedures. In addition, the high turnover rate in these restaurants discourages training because it seems like wasting financial resources on employees who are likely to leave for another establishment. The overall effect of this is that most of those who handle food are unqualified, which increases the chances of food contamination.

Harmful wrappers containing PAPs

Many fast food restaurants wrap their food with wrappers containing polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs), which prevent grease in the food from leaking. These compounds sometimes migrate into the wrapped food and get ingested. Although there are no known effects on human health, the compounds have been found harmful when ingested by rodents. Since many experiments relating to humans are tested using rats, any such adverse effect is likely to cause harm to humans. Therefore, the wrappers are feared to be agents of harmful compounds that may harm the human health. Even when the food has no harmful substances, the fact that much fast food lack permanent employees with experience and expertise can lead to food contamination. Food preparation requires care because even mixing vegetable equipment with meat equipment can be fatal to the customers. Given the busy schedules in the fast foods and the ever-changing workforce, maintaining high standards of hazard prevention is difficult.

Why is meat used in fast food considered being dangerous?

The second hazard of eating fast foods comes from the content of their food. For instance, the meat used in these fast foods comes from animals that have gone through unhealthy conditions. Prior to slaughtering, the animals are concentrated in small spaces and cannot rest, but stand. As a result of the overcrowding, the animals are likely to get sick. To avoid incidences of sickness, the animals are injected with high levels of antibiotics that end up in the meat sold in fast foods (Watson 56). Since the anti-bacterial drugs are given to the animals just before they are slaughtered, they are never metabolized properly. To make matters worse, the fast foods have very busy schedules and customer demands. As a result, they cook food at a fast rate to keep pace with the increasing customers. This haste prevents food from being cooked completely, which may lead to the antibiotics not being neutralized. Consequently, those who consume such food get food poisoning and may die if treatment is not sought swiftly. Apart from contamination originating from the antibiotics, animals for fast foods are required tender. To ensure this requirement is met, many of the animals and birds are slaughtered while young. Since the people who rear them sell on a weight basis, they must balance between weight and young age. Therefore, these animals are fed with food injected with growth hormones. During the time of slaughter, these hormones circulate within the animal bodies and transfer into humans upon consumption. These hormones are harmful to people's health and interfere with the natural functioning of the body.

The food sold in fast foods has been found to contain high levels of calories and low fiber content

These conditions are the causes of obesity, which has become a challenge to both the government and healthcare providers. A research conducted by Pediatrics established that, on any given day, 30.3% of children between the age of four to nineteen eat from fast foods (Gulum and Serpil 45). Those who ate fast foods were found to eat less fiber, non-starchy vegetables and fruits.

These results concluded that children who ate fast foods were likely to get obese compared to those who avoided fast foods. Obesity has been found to lead to other illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These diseases cost a lot of money and strain economies through treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is essential that the factors that lead to them should be avoided, which means avoiding fast foods.

Fast foods that serve both Muslims and Jews have to conform to the requirements of their religious principles

During the slaughtering process, animals may be subjected to cruelty since slaughtering methods differ significantly. According to the two religions, the animals must be cut using a sharp object on the neck to drain out the blood. It is prohibited to eat meat with blood inside. Since fast foods must satisfy their customers, they may result to using meat that has been killed using this method. Animals have rights, just like human beings. They deserve reduced pain when being slaughtered, which is a dignified way of treating them. Therefore, such fast foods promote an inhumane way of killing animals, which results in inhumane treatment. On the other hand, the procedures that are conventionally allowed for killing animals to be used as food include electrocution or hitting it with a bolt to the head. These methods, which are used, for slaughtering animals used in fast foods is considered dangerous to human health. Blood is considered a medium in which many disease-causing organisms thrive (Yeager 45). Therefore, it is crucial to drain it from the meat meant for consumption. However, in the conventional fast foods, animals are killed before opening them up, which means that most of the blood is left intact. If there were parasites inside the animal that resided in the blood, they are likely to be transferred to the food sold by the fast foods. Although the meat slaughtered using these means is sold by other hotels and butchers, it is safer than that sold by the fast foods because they get a chance to cook fully. For instance, people who buy meat for their consumption at home ensure that it is fully cooked before consumption. Therefore, the risk of getting sick due to parasites in the meat is reduced. In contrast, fast foods rarely allow meat, and other types of food to cook fully because of time constraints and the costs associated with prolonged cooking.

In conclusion, eating at fast foods is undesirable as it is harmful to human health and treats animals unfairly. The unhealthy conditions of food in fast foods arise from poor preparation, inadequate skills in processing the food and high-calorie content. Therefore, people should avoid eating at fast foods for the sake of their health and promoting dignified treatment of animals.

References:

• Amid mounting evidence that plastic food wrap harbours a host of toxins, even doctors are urging people to stop using it
• Gulum, Servet, and Serpil, Sumnu. Advances in Deep-Fat Frying of Foods. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2010. Print.
• Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001. Print.
• Watson, Stephanie. Fast Food. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2008. Print.
• Yeager, Selene. The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Latest Findings on the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems - From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers and Yeast Infections. California: Rodale Books, 2008. Print.

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Essay on Why Fast Food Is Bad For You

Students are often asked to write an essay on Why Fast Food Is Bad For You in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Why Fast Food Is Bad For You

Unhealthy ingredients.

Fast food is often filled with ingredients that are not good for our health. These include a lot of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Eating too much of these can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It’s important to eat foods that are better for our bodies.

Lack of Nutrients

Even though fast food can make you feel full, it doesn’t give your body the important nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Fast food lacks a lot of vitamins and minerals that are found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Without these nutrients, our bodies cannot work their best.

Weight Gain

Eating fast food regularly can lead to gaining too much weight. This is because fast food is very high in calories, and it’s easy to eat more than you need. Being overweight can lead to health problems like heart disease and diabetes. It’s better to choose foods that are healthier and lower in calories.

Fast food can be addictive. The high levels of sugar and fat can make our brains want more and more, making it hard to stop eating it. This can lead to eating too much fast food and not enough healthy food, which is bad for our health.

250 Words Essay on Why Fast Food Is Bad For You

What is fast food.

Fast food is a type of food that is prepared and served quickly. It is usually high in calories, fat, and sugar, and low in nutrients. Fast food is often unhealthy and can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems.

Why is Fast Food Bad for You?

There are many reasons why fast food is bad for you. Some of the reasons include:

High in Calories

Fast food is often high in calories. A single meal from a fast food restaurant can contain more than 1,000 calories. This is more than half of the recommended daily calorie intake for adults. Eating too many calories can lead to weight gain and obesity.

High in Fat

Fast food is also often high in fat. This includes both saturated fat and trans fat. Saturated fat is found in animal products, such as meat and cheese. Trans fat is created when liquid oils are turned into solid fats. Both saturated fat and trans fat can raise your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease.

High in Sugar

Fast food is also often high in sugar. This includes added sugar, which is found in many processed foods. Added sugar is a major cause of weight gain, tooth decay, and other health problems.

Low in Nutrients

Fast food is often low in nutrients. This means that it does not contain the vitamins, minerals, and fiber that your body needs to stay healthy. Eating too much fast food can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Fast food is bad for you because it is high in calories, fat, and sugar, and low in nutrients. Eating too much fast food can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems. If you want to stay healthy, you should limit your intake of fast food.

500 Words Essay on Why Fast Food Is Bad For You

Fast food: a quick bite with lasting consequences.

Fast food has become a staple of our modern diet, offering convenience, affordability, and a quick fix to our hunger pangs. However, lurking beneath the enticing flavors and speedy service are a host of hidden health risks that can have long-term consequences for our well-being.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Empty Calories and Missing Nutrients

Many fast food items are devoid of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Instead, they are laden with empty calories from refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and added sugars. This nutritional imbalance can lead to deficiencies that affect our overall health and well-being.

Obesity and Weight Gain: A Recipe for Health Problems

Fast food is often high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium, contributing to weight gain and obesity. This excess weight increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Heart Disease: Clogged Arteries and Compromised Health

The high levels of saturated and trans fats found in many fast food items can elevate cholesterol levels in the blood, increasing the risk of heart disease. These fats can build up in the arteries, forming plaques that narrow the blood vessels, restricting blood flow to the heart and potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Type 2 Diabetes: A Growing Health Concern

Fast food’s high sugar content can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin. This can result in type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can cause nerve damage, kidney disease, and an increased risk of heart disease.

Digestive Issues: A Disruption to Gut Health

Fast food is often highly processed and contains artificial ingredients, preservatives, and high levels of unhealthy fats, all of which can disrupt the delicate balance of our digestive system. This can lead to digestive issues such as indigestion, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Compromised Immune System: Weakened Defenses

The lack of essential nutrients and the presence of unhealthy ingredients in fast food can impair the function of our immune system. This makes us more susceptible to infections and diseases, hindering our body’s ability to fight off illnesses.

Addiction and Cravings: A Cycle of Unhealthy Choices

Fast food companies often use flavor enhancers, artificial ingredients, and high levels of sugar and salt to create addictive combinations that keep us coming back for more. This can lead to a cycle of unhealthy eating habits and cravings, making it difficult to make healthier food choices.

The Path to Health: Making Better Choices

Avoiding fast food and opting for healthier alternatives is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Home-cooked meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources provide the essential nutrients our bodies need without the harmful effects of fast food.

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• 13 Reasons Why Fast Food Is Bad for You

Your body needs food in order to survive. But not all foods are good, for example, fast food. It is often high in calorie but offers little nutrition. It is also always highly processed and has added sugar, too much sodium and a lot of saturated fat. All these can affect your health in a negative way.  

Why Fast Food Is Bad for You

Fast food is bad for your health because it can cause the following problems.

1.   Higher Risk of Heart Diseases

The bad fats (trans and saturated fats) in fast food increases triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in your blood, leading to plaque buildup in the arteries. This can cause heart diseases. Fast food also causes sudden high blood sugar spike and artery inflammation, which makes it easier for plaque to stick to the inside of the artery walls. When the arteries are blocked, heart attacks can result.

2.   Reduced Brain Function

Research on animals has shown that fast food causes a decrease in ability of memory and learning new skills. The bad fats in junk food, such as trans fats, can replace the good fats in the brain, interfering the signaling mechanism. Consuming a large amount of fatty and sugary fast food can also increase the risk of dementia.

3.   Type 2 Diabetes

By eating junk food, you create a sudden spike in blood sugar due to the processed nature of the junk food. This shock to your metabolism adversely affects your body’s ability to utilize insulin, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

4.   Potential Kidney Problems

The salt content is another reason why fast food is bad for you. A diet high in salt can disrupt the balance of sodium and potassium, which can cause a great tension on your kidney. The various additives and other substances can also lead to reduced kidney functioning.

5.   Possible Liver Damage

Some studies have shown that fast food is almost as harmful to your liver as alcohol. Eating fast food for four weeks can adversely affect the liver enzymes. In addition, trans fats from junk food can deposit in the liver, which can cause liver problems.

6.   Digestive Issues

Fast food has almost no fiber. This means a higher risk of constipation and hemorrhoids. Junk food’s high fat content can increase stomach acid production, stimulating the inner lining of stomach. Spicy ingredients in fast food can also irritate the stomach, causing a burning, painful sensation.

7.   Increased Cancer Risk

Many studies associate a diet low in fiber with cancers of the digestive system. And one of the defining aspects of fast food is that it contains almost no fiber. The sugar and fat contents increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The fried types of fast food can cause prostate cancer in men.

8.   Weakened Immune System

Proper nutrients are needed to build up the immune system. By eating too much fast food, the body doesn’t have the proper vitamins and minerals to establish the proper defenses. You may become susceptible to flu, infections, and other diseases. This is one of the biggest reasons why fast food is bad for you.

9.   Depression, Especially in Teenagers

With their hormones being out of whack, teenagers are already going through behavioral changes and mood swings. Consuming fast food can make the emotional issues worse and even lead to depression, because the food lacks the nutrients needed to hormonal balance. It is studied that the chance of having depression increases by 58% among teenagers who often eat fast food.

10.   Weakness and Fatigue

Ironically, even though fast food is usually very high in calories, it often makes you feel weak and fatigued. This apparent contradiction is due to the fact that fast food is low in important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. It can’t provide you with constant energy. Long-term consumption can lead to chronic fatigue.

11.   Skin, Tooth and Bone Problems

Studies have linked fast food consumption with acne and eczema. The worsening acne problems aren’t surprising given how much oil and fat is usually included in fast food.

Dental problems are due to refined sugars and carbohydrates, which are excellent for bacteria growth in your mouth. In addition, another reason why fast food is bad for you is that consuming too much sodium (fast food is very high in sodium) increases the chances of suffering from osteoporosis.

12.   Addiction

Fast food can be addicting. Certain ingredients, like monosodium glutamate, activate cells in the human brain that are connected to pleasure. To seek more pleasure, you will eat more fat food, leaving you addicted to it. It turns out that cigarettes, alcohol and drugs aren’t the only addictive vices.

13.   Unsafe to Eat

Fast food restaurants will often sacrifice cleanliness in order to save time and money. What’s worse, many types of fast food are just directly made on the streets and lack sanitary cooking conditions. So people who often eat fast food are likely to get infected with bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

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Fast Food - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Fast Food refers to food that is prepared and served quickly, often characterized by a standardized method of preparation in centralized locations. Essays could discuss the rise of the fast food industry, its economic and cultural implications, the health consequences of fast food consumption, and the ethical considerations regarding fast food production and marketing. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Fast Food you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Fast Food Nation Final

Growing up when it came to food the same phrase was always repeated, “you are what you eat.” This is true to a degree. The fast food industry has triggered our society and has even created uprisings of protests and activist groups boycotting restaurants and food markets.  Fast food has riled up our nation, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and changed the views of American life worldwide. Fast Food Nation, written by Eric Schlosser shows a glimpse into what you […]

The Ritual of Fast Food by Margaret Visser

Visser was born in 1940 in South Africa, Margaret Visser was raised in Zambia and lived in England, France, lraq, and the United States before settling in Toronto, Ontario. (She is a naturalized citizen of Canada.) In this short essay, The Ritual of Fast Food. The author, Margret Visser, carefully as well as precisely dismembers the fast food experience. Visser dives in and vigour's behind the scene to explains the art of the fast -food experience. It is imperative to […]

Problem: Childhood Obesity in America

As you've probably heard, more children are becoming overweight today in America than ever before. Experts are calling this an "obesity epidemic." To first understand childhood obesity we must ask ourselves what is obesity? Obesity is a diet-related chronic disease involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Many doctors have expressed obesity has an increasing problem in today's youth as obesity can lead to many health issues such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart […]

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Role of Fast Food in USA

Fast food is a common occurrence in the average American's life these days. You can't drive down the street without seeing at least one fast food joint, often more than one. In fact, fast food is popping up all around the world, McDonald's in other countries even have special items on their menus. The reason for the hype is the accessibility. Fast food is so easy, anyone can run and grab some cheap food and feed their family. However, some […]

How are Fast Food Advertising and Childhood Obesity Related

By 1950s, fast food industry boom was in full swing. It was secured in 1951. In the 1950s, McDonald has become a staple of the American diet. Fast food restaurants have been grown more and more and by now, there are over one hundred and sixty thousands fast food restaurants in the United States, becoming a one hundred and ten billion dollar industry. One can’t deny that fast food has become really important in American life nowadays. Whether Americans are […]

The Causes and Preventions of Childhood Obesity

When trying to find out if a child is considered for obesity, they need to have a body mass index that is between the ranges of the 85th percentile and the 95th percentile. When speaking about childhood obesity it is for children between the ages of infancy and early adulthood which is eighteen years of age. Obesity is one of the most preventable diseases especially if caught early enough. There are many different reasons for the cause of childhood obesity, […]

Is Fast Food to Blame?

Benjamin Franklin once stated, "Few die of hunger. Many die of eating." However, we now have more information than ever before about the nutritional value of what we eat. Health experts have argued over eating fast food for years ("Burger Battles: Study Indicates that Fast Food Industry Targets Kids with Unhealthy Choices" 1). Our country, as a whole, still chooses to overeat and to consume high calorie meals. In the essay, "Don't Blame the Eater," by David Zinczenko, the fast […]

Fast Food is the Main Cause of Diabetes and Obesity

Children's obesity has tripled during recent years, and twenty-five percent of the people affected by it are under nineteen years of age, and that's according to a study made by Green Planet (the largest independent publishing platform that focuses on sustainable food, animal welfare issues, environmental protection, and green living and the biggest plant-based food and recipe site). Fast food and poor eating regimen are the primary explanations for the ascent of the weight rates. Individuals connect to fast food […]

My Research on Taco Bell

Fast Food Project Taco Bell has many reasons to be considered unhealthy. Such as, they use huge amounts of oil such as Soy Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable oil which contains a variety of mixed oils in one. Taco Bell has ingredients that no one is aware of such as Maltodextrin, Torula Yeast, Modified Corn Starch, Soy Lecithin, Lactic Acid, and Caramel color. The Healthiest item on the menu is the fiesta taco salad and if you were to get it without […]

The Relationship between Fast Food and Obesity

Growing up in a small town in Jamaica, there were no such thing as fast food around every possible corner as opposed to here in America, fast food restaurants are everywhere. This is a typical reason why most American citizens, especially young people are overweight and almost obese. Don't get me wrong, fast food is delicious for the most part, cheap and quick, which benefits a typical American way of eating that is always on the go. However, if it […]

The Dangers of Fast Food

As fast food businesses continue to flourish the way that the food is being made hse become more and more unhealthy to the consumer as well as to the workers who work in the factories and the animals themselves as well. As the conglomerates continue to make close ties with political figures they can get away with more in their own business. Many legal fights began to happen over the unhealthy food that was being consumed. Problems that have arisen […]

Feeding the Destruction of the American Dream

The bad habits we create directly extended into the food industry as do our uncontrollable economic circumstances. Our purchase and consumption of certain types of foods demand the production of them, creating an endless cycle. When you don’t know how to cook, you don’t what’s in your food, you don’t know what’s healthy versus unhealthy, and/or you don’t have money you turn to cheap food. The sad thing is that today cheap food directly correlates to unhealthy food; they are […]

Should Fast Food be Banned

Fast food or junk food is food that does not have the right nutrition's for our bodies. According to Ashakiran and Deepthi R (2012), fast food contains excessive amounts of flour, sugar, fat, salt, and food additives (8). They also mentioned that it is widely popular, probably because it is easily accessible. Examples of fast food chains are McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, and even Starbucks. Other than fast food not having the right nutrition's, studies have found dangerous chemicals […]

Industry Analysis of Fast Food Industry

Researches and industrial analysis is showing that Fast Food Industry is growing exponentially. As the demand for fast foods grows, it is imperative for the captains of industry to realize the external economic factors and how they affect the industry. Furthermore, it is also important to deal with the seasonality and understands what consumers prefer. It is quite evident that technological firms have upper hand compared to those which are still operating traditionally. Industry Size and Growth Trends Fast Food […]

Fast Food in Modern World

Fast food has only been around for 100 years, yet it seems like it has been here forever. Americans have become so reliant on having quick, tasty food at their fingertips in order to match their fast paced lifestyles. As convenient and delicious as fast food is, has it benefited America as a whole? What has it done for the economy? How has it affected health? To determine whether fast food has changed America for better or for worse, it […]

The Dark Side of Fast Food

In an article, from the website She Knows which talks about all the ingredients in fast food. States that most of the ingredients in fast food we've never even heard of but we still eat it anyways. Like one of the ingredients in some fast food places chicken nuggets is a chemical preservative called Tertiary Butyl Hydroquinone which is derived from petroleum, which is used in cars. Also most employees don't get training on proper food safety so therefore they […]

What is Junk Food

Junk food refers to cheap and simple food that has very low nutritional value but very rich in calories from fat and sugar. Junk food is packaged in the form of snacks which requires little or no preparation before consumption. In a recent research carried out in the United States about their eating habits, it was deduced that the consumption of convenience, fast food and junk food was increasing dramatically where most of the Americans were found being more interested […]

Is Fast Food Tasty and Harmful

At all times people were thinking about how to eat on the run and not to stain your hands. Even in ancient Rome, commercial squares traded flat bread with vegetables, cheese and grilled meats. The pellets were used as edible plates, and bazaar visitors was spared from having to wipe their hands on togas and tunics. Over time mankind became more and more inventive. So, the creator of hot dog, a sausage dealer from Louisiana, was initially distributed gloves to […]

How Fast Food Effects on Us

Fast-food is appetizing, but is it worth consumer's health. It is no secret that fast-foods are bad for customers and can cause obesity. Obesity is defined as a person that is extremely overweight. Obesity is a serious disease that needs to be eradicated due to death tolls that occur each year. Fast-food is made of very unhealthy ingredients; consisting of by-products, fats, and steroids. Fast-food restaurants are easily accessible in communities everywhere. Therefore, even if a consumer wanted to eat […]

Obesity is Fast Food the Leading Cause

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 93.3 million adults in the United States alone were affected by obesity in 2015  ("Adult Obesity"). In today's society, obesity continues to grow, but what is the real cause? Most popular and stereotypical views on obesity assume that an unhealthy diet and food choice are the leading factors at fault for the vast majority of obesity cases, but research proves that fast food or diet (in general) is not the prime […]

What does Fast Food do to the Brain

Almost everyone on Earth has had fast food at least once in their life. Fast food is fast, tastes good, inexpensive, and is literally everywhere. Most people worry about how unhealthy fast food is, and the harm it can cause to the body. However, most people don't think about how fast food can affect and influence the human brain. As it turns out fast food affects the brain in many ways, such as our emotional state, hunger, happiness, and many […]

My Favorite Food and Childhood Memories

My favorite food since I have been very young is a hamburger topped with cheese, cooked medium rare. An obvious reason for why this would be my favorite food is the fact that a cheeseburger is the single best tasting food that has ever been prepared. There are, however, many other explanations for my choice, which are rooted in sociological factors related to the environment in which I raised. These factors have no doubt crept themselves into the subconscious of […]

Quality of Food from Fast Food Franchises

Consumers in South Africa have become increasingly aware about the food they eat from fast food franchises. The fact that there was a listeriosis outbreak earlier this year and all the scares regarding the preparation and cooking process last year has taken its toll on South African fast food franchises. Consumers are prioritizing the hygiene of their food rather than the taste. All this negative publicity has resulted in the healthier restaurants having a competitive advantage. However, fast food franchises […]

The North American Fast Food Industry

The emergence stage, or the introduction stage, is where entrepreneurial firms are seen entering the industry with hopes to one day emerge as the leader in the market. In the emergence stage, I think the North American fast food industry would have had many small competitors. Since it would have been a fairly new industry, there would have been lots of room for new entrants. Also, since it would have been the industry's early years, there would have been lots […]

Question of Breakfast Foods

Morning for me, is the gloomiest part of the day. Anyone who feels this way probably feels like they are missing hours and hours of sleep. As much as the morning stinks, it's important to wake up for breakfast. There is always that dilemma on what to make for breakfast. The hardest part on making this decision is how to be more creative when it comes to choosing food. There are a few options on which to choose, those include: […]

Demise of Public Transportation and the Rise of Fast Food

American culture revolves so heavily on cars, we do not even notice it. U.S roads and highway systems exist to move people and resources as fast as possible. Research conducted by the U.S Department of Transportation shows that "...on average, American drivers spend just under an hour driving every day.". (www.vlope.gov) yet no one asks how these roads came to be. In the 1930s the U.S experienced a upshift in the usage of cars and this boom inspired those in […]

David Zinczenko: “Don’t Blame the Eater”

In 'Don't Blame the Eater,' the editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine David Zinczenko, discusses the recent lawsuits against fast-food chains. David Zinczenko believes the fast food industry is responsible for America’s obese children and also believes fast food should come with a warning label. He shares a personal story of how he used to eat fast food twice a day and how he learned to manage his diet. Zinczenko states that before 1994, diabetes in children was provided generally caused […]

Fast Food: a Friend or Foe

Fast food is one of the worst things for yourself financially and in regards to health. There are many reasons why you should cut fast food out of your diet. For example it is cheaper to eat at home, it is safer to eat at home, and it will affect your appearance and body if you eat it all the time. First of all, it is cheaper to eat at home. According to AOL finance the average cost of fast […]

How the Growth in Fast Food Industry Today Can Lead to Obesity

In the present society, fast food has turned into a substantial piece of numerous American's lives. With the rising quantities of hefty individuals, it is hard not to draw a connection between the expansion in fast food and corpulence. Most stout individuals would prefer not to be fat and wish they could get thinner, yet they keep on struggling with their fast food admission and weight. This is because of the promoting done on the shoppers, the profoundly addictive nourishment […]

Fast Food and Cooked Meal

When cooking something wet, similar to a stew or steamed vegetables, the warmth of your cooking is constrained to the breaking point of water (100°C). In any case, with the steam's weight now the breaking point can get as high as 138°C. This higher warmth encourages the nourishment to cook quicker. Raises the weight, driving fluid into the sustenance. The caught steam builds the climatic weight inside the cooker by 15 pounds for each square inch (psi), or 15 pounds […]

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Essay About Fast Food Fast food, ruining the families of America. Wendys, Mcdonalds, Taco Bells are everywhere, seriously its like you can't go five minutes without seeing one of these places here. The truth is fast food is easy and not pricey, perfect dinner for the busy family. Fast food is destroying America by families eating too many calories causing disease, higher obesity rate, and ruining quality time with family. America has the highest obesity rate in the world. 1 in 6 people are obese and it is predicted by 2020, 75% of America is likely to be overweight or obese. That is 244,275,000 people. Fast food is one of the main reasons. Most fast food contains a large number of fats and carbs and less healthy ingredients, also fast foods have exceeding levels of sugar. One of the main reasons people cannot stop eating fast food is the low costs it is available. A diet containing 2000 calories of fast food costs much less than a diet with 2000 calories of healthy food. This makes it more affordable than going for healthy food and is a leading cause of obesity in lower-income classes. Fast food restaurants offer convenience. You can always find one close to your home and can also get food easily delivered to your house. This makes it a convenient option than making food at home using healthier ingredients. When you eat fast food you don't spend as much time with your family as you would if you were eating a home-cooked meal. It is scientifically proven that eating with your family causes you to choose better eating habits, preventing sickness. Social improvements were also linked to the frequency of family meals. Teens who ate at the family table more often were more likely to show fewer signs of depression and feel that their family was more supportive, compared with teens who dined less often at home. So even if you do decide to eat a fast food meal make sure to at least eat it with your family because it can highly affect your life. Fast food highly affects your health and not in a good way. Eating a poor diet high in junk food is linked to a higher risk of obesity, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and early death. That single fast food meal can narrow your arteries, leading to an increase in blood pressure, that's just one meal. A small study of 12 healthy young men found eating junk food for just five days led to a reduced ability of their muscles to turn glucose into energy. Over the long term, this change could lead to insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes. I don't think anybody would want to have to go through and deal with any of this. The simple fix to this is to make healthier food choices! Those were some of the main reasons why fast food is ruining America, but there are many more. It was also proof that we need to start making healthier choices because as you can see they really can impact our life. Hope you make healthy decisions!   

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Essay on Junk Food

Junk food is a term used to describe highly processed and refined food. It is generally considered less nutritious than natural foods. Junk food has been associated with obesity and causing serious health issues in children, along with the development of diseases such as diabetes. Junk food is not suitable for anyone. It is filled with sugar and other unhealthy ingredients that can cause diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Junk foods are also loaded with sodium, which is dangerous for people suffering from hypertension. Sometimes the calories in a junk food item can be deceiving because they will seem to satisfy hunger; instead, it fills our stomach and makes it harder to stop eating. BYJU’S essay on junk food in schools is a great tool to help the little ones understand the disadvantages of junk food.

Junk food is famous for being inexpensive processed food. The term is often used to insult unhealthy, unbalanced foods that contain high amounts of sugar, fat, and calories. Junk food usually contains added chemicals that can cause an imbalance in our bodies. Junk food also tends to be full of empty calories. Eating junk food regularly leads to weight gain, putting people at a higher risk of developing severe diseases. Now, let us learn from BYJU’S short essay on avoid junk food by understanding the harms caused by eating junk food.

Why Should We Avoid Junk Food?

Now, let us understand the demerits of junk food by reading BYJU’S effects of junk food on health essay. Junk food is not suitable for our bodies as it contains a lot of processed sugars, leading to weight gain. It also affects brain function, causing slower reaction times and memory loss. Many people are trying to be more aware of junk food, so they choose healthy alternatives like fruits and vegetables instead of unhealthy treats.

Besides the health issues, junk food can also be addicting. It contains high sugar levels, which can cause diabetes, and it is often filled with preservatives, artificial colours, flavours and other unhealthy additives. Junk food also has a high-calorie content and is usually made with processed ingredients that don’t provide many nutrients.

Junk food is a term that comes to mind when thinking about food that is high in calories and low in nutrients. It is not a good choice as it is something you have to avoid because of its detrimental effects on health. Junk food has been linked to many health issues such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and others. What starts as an innocent distraction from stress could become daily chaos for many people. However, healthy food is rich in nutrients and wholesome, unlike junk food.

Having junk food occasionally is not bad, but consuming it every day is bad for health. Healthy food might taste bland, but it’s good for your health. For more essays, worksheets , and other kids learning activities, visit BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is junk food bad.

Junk food is bad for a number of reasons, such as high levels of salt, sugar and fat. These ingredients make junk food taste good, but they make us unhealthy. Overeating these foods can cause obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health conditions.

How to avoid junk food?

There are many ways to avoid junk food, but the most critical step is knowing your portion sizes. When hungry, stick with whole grains like brown rice and quinoa and fill up on vegetables instead of chips or other high-carb snacks.

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Junk Food Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on junk food.

The term ‘junk food’ itself says a lot about this food. It indicates how it is harmful to our health. Furthermore, junk foods are basically trash which harms our bodies in different ways. They have high levels of cholesterol, sugar, calories and more. We see how nowadays, the younger generation is getting indulging in more and more junk food. This is putting their lives in danger and giving them an unhealthy lifestyle .

Furthermore, junk food does not have a single benefit. It only has ill-effects as they do not contain nutritional value . Parents must teach their kids about the ill-effects of junk food. Moreover, they must provide them with healthy meals at home so they won’t have to go out to eat fast food.

Rising Popularity of Junk Food

We all know that the fast-food industry is increasing by leaps and bounds these days. People these days are more attracted to junk food because it is appealing. Why is that? People are using manipulative ways to entice people to buy their fast food.

Moreover, junk food is prepared very easily. It takes minimum time to prepare it as it does not have any nutritious ingredients. We see how junk food does not have any special ingredients. It just contains common harmful ones in excess like oil, sugar, and more.

Furthermore, junk food is very reasonable. As it does not require any healthy material, it is not that costly. We see how it is available at very reasonable pricing. It is one of the main reasons why people buy it frequently.

Most importantly, junk food has become very accessible now, more than ever. With the onset of numerous food delivery apps, you can now get junk food with a single click. You have a plethora of options now which will deliver all sorts of junk food right at your doorstep.

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Ill-effects of Junk Food

The major characteristic of junk food is that it spikes the energy levels instantly. It does not really benefit your body, just satisfies your taste buds. If we intake junk food regularly, we get moody more often.

Moreover, regular consumption of junk food causes a drop in the concentration levels of a person. This is why we see how kids these days are easily distracted. Moreover, you may also notice how obesity becoming common these days. It is a very chronic disease which is only enhanced by eating junk food.

Further, you may also notice how junk food increases blood pressure and sugar. A person gets more prone to heart diseases due to the fattening products used in it. Similarly, junk food is not easy to digest. This may gradually damage your brain function because it creates a lack of oxygen levels.

Junk food does not only damage the heart but the liver as well. It causes diabetes amongst people from an early age. Moreover, the lack of fibers in junk food equals to a damaged digestive system. This may cause constipation as well. Therefore, we see how junk food companies are fooling people. They are deceiving them into consuming their junk food to increase their sales. Thus, we need to realize this fact as soon as possible. Try to replace junk food with healthy food. Prepare your meals at home instead of ordering outside.

FAQ on Junk Food Essay

Q.1 Why is junk food getting popular?

A.1 Junk food is getting popular because it is easily accessible now. It is appealing and fast food companies are fooling the public for increasing their sales.

Q.2 State the ill-effects of junk food.

A.2 Junk food causes a lot of chronic diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, heart diseases. It drops your concentration level and messes with your digestive system.

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This Type 2 Diabetes Food List Makes Grocery Shopping So Much Easier

Here's exactly what to eat (and limit), according to dietitians.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder related to insulin resistance which leads to elevated blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, says Kimberly Gomer, RDN, a Miami-based dietitian who specializes in weight loss, diabetes, cholesterol, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). No one is born with type 2 diabetes, but it’s often connected to dietary choices, she says.

Luckily, type 2 diabetes can be managed (and even reversed) with a nutrient-dense diet that focuses on whole foods . Balancing your plate with lean protein, healthy fat, fiber, and complex carbs can also help stabilize blood sugar while adding variety to your diet, Gomer says. Whether you have type 2 diabetes or you simply want to regulate your blood sugar, here's what to eat (and limit), according to dietitians.

Meet the experts: Kimberly Gomer, RDN , is a Miami-based dietitian who specializes in weight loss, diabetes, cholesterol, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Erin Palinski-Wade, RD , is a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes and the author of 2-Day Diabetes Diet .

Type 2 Diabetes-Friendly Foods

Protein is the center of a healthy diabetic diet since it’s needed for hormonal balance, muscle growth and repair, and blood sugar management, says Gomer. Plus, animal- and plant-based protein are both extremely satiating so will help keep you fuller for longer, she adds.

Non-starchy vegetables are diabetes-friendly and provide an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber , says Gomer. And yes, you can eat your veggies raw, steamed, or roasted.

• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower

Fruit gets a bad rep when it comes to type 2 diabetes, but low-sugar fruits are actually a great addition to your diet thanks to the vitamins, minerals, and low glycemic index (meaning they have little effect on blood sugar levels), says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, a dietitian who specializes in diabetes and the author of 2-Day Diabetes Diet. The fiber content in fruit can also promote blood sugar balance and a healthy gut , she adds.

Quick note: Fresh or frozen fruit is a great choice, but if you opt for dried fruit, Palinski-Wade says to choose an option with no added sugar.

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are anti-inflammatory and key for brain function and heart health . Just be mindful that they’re often higher in calories. So if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to consider portion size, Gomer says.

• Avocado oil
• Nuts (raw or roasted without vegetable seed oil)
• Seeds (raw or roasted without vegetable seed oil)

Whole Grains

Whole grains are a diabetes-friendly option that are known for their low glycemic index. Many are also high in soluble fiber (looking at you, rolled oats ), which can help slow the absorption of glucose, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce cholesterol levels, says Palinski-Wade.

• Rolled oats

Foods To Avoid With Type 2 Diabetes

Saturated fats.

Saturated fats are a no-no when it comes to type 2 diabetes since they increase insulin resistance, says Palinski-Wade. For this reason, saturated fat should be limited to less than 10 percent of your total daily calories, she adds. Eating too many saturated fats can also raise your cholesterol which leads to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, per the American Heart Association .

• Processed meats

Seed oils can raise your omega-6-to-omega-3 fatty acid ratios which can harm your heart and gut, says Gomer. They also typically contain additives which may lead to bloating , gas, and inflammation, she adds. Most packaged snacks, prepared foods, and restaurants use seed oils, so they’re difficult to completely avoid, but do your best to minimize consumption if you can.

• Soybean oil
• Cottonseed oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Rice bran oil
• Safflower oil
• Sunflower oil

It may be tough to cut out all sugar, but those with type 2 diabetes should avoid consuming large amounts since it’s low in fiber and may worsen insulin resistance and blood sugar regulation, says Palinski-Wade. Sugar also has limited nutritional value and can spike your blood sugar, she adds.

• Brown sugar

Processed Grains

Processed grains typically contain white flour which can raise blood sugar, says Gomer. They also lack nutritional value and are low in fiber, adds Palinski-Wade.

• White bread
• White-flour crackers and pretzels

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes insulin resistance.

Insulin is an essential hormone that controls your blood sugar and helps the body turn food into energy that’s either used or stored as fat, says Gomer. The hormone is secreted by the pancreas—it acts like a key to open a gate for the cells to access sugar.

If you're insulin-resistant, your cells resist that insulin, so the key gets stuck, she says. Then, the body figures the message didn’t reach the pancreas, so the message is re-sent, which creates an overproduction of insulin, she explains. As a result, insulin resistance occurs and over time, your blood sugar levels go up.

How does diet impact diabetes?

At a basic level, blood sugar is balanced by eating a whole-foods diet primarily focused on lean protein , vegetables, and complex carbs, since these foods provide the most reliable and stable energy without causing a spike in insulin, says Gomer. On the flip side, a diet high in added sugar, refined carbs, and saturated fat increases blood sugar and worsens insulin resistance, in turn, leading to type 2 diabetes, adds Palinski-Wade.

Despite the common recommendation to cut carbs if your blood sugar is high, people with diabetes do not need to avoid carbs altogether, says Palinski-Wade. This is because complex carbs balanced with lean protein, good fat, and fiber can actually provide steady blood sugar and energy throughout the day, she says. Foods with carbs like whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds have actually been shown to prevent diabetes and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease , she adds.

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.  

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