Bad Side of Fast Food

In recent years many Americans have to come to fully realize the bad side of fast food. Fast food has become a way of life for many Americans who rely on the inexpensive and conveniently packaged foods most nights of the week. Fast food chains cannot be blamed entirely; after all we are the ones choosing to patronize their business. However, the fast food chains do promote a way of life that is unhealthy and has partly contributed to the increase in chronic illnesses that plague a large portion of the population.

The bad side of fast food goes beyond public health. Critics point to low industry wages and benefits, agricultural practices and food safety standards as all being sub par.

Let's face it; almost every American knows that fast food is not healthy. Just a brief look at fast food nutritional information shows most meals contain astronomically high numbers of calories, saturated and trans fats. In fact, it's not uncommon for fast food meals to exceed the daily total caloric need of the average person. This means that you can eat all the calories your body needs for the day in one sitting! Furthermore, you'll actually receive very little nutrients from all of these calories. The white breads, sugars and animal fats that are packed into most fast foods contain very few vitamins and minerals.

Eating these foods with tons of calories and fat on a regular basis inevitably leads to obesity. Obesity has surged to epidemic proportions in this country. Americans are heavier and unhealthier than ever. This has led to millions of people suffering from chronic and life threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

In recent years critics have attacked the major food chains for implementing what they believe to be unethical business practices. One such practice the fast food chains are accused of is mistreating employees to increase profits. Critics say that the major chains pay the lowest wages whenever possible and sometimes withhold medical benefits from even full time employees. Furthermore, it's speculated that the chains encourage and perpetuate a high turnover rate to prevent unionization. Yet, while doing this the chains take full advantage of government kickbacks for the non-existent training time needed for new employees.

Another problem critics cite with fast food chains is that they market their unhealthy foods to children. Ronald McDonald characters make frequent visits to schools and bring along McDonald's kid's meals for sampling. Many fast food chains have elaborate playgrounds at their restaurants, offer toys with their kid's meals and feature TV ads that target children. Some find this type of marketing unethical because it's a fact that most fast foods are especially unhealthy for young and developing children.

Critics also accuse major fast food chains of playing a big role in encouraging the consolidation and centralized production of food products. Today, a select few large corporations supply the vast majority of the nation's beef, poultry and potatoes; the staples of the fast food diet. This puts small ranchers and farmers out of business.

Furthermore, the centralization of the food production process increases the likelihood of widespread outbreaks of food-borne pathogens, such as E. coli.

The ideal course of action is to eat as little fast food as possible. However, fast food has become a way of life for many Americans. Working parents, single mothers and just the busy in general depend on quick, cheap meals at times. While you should strive to minimize your fast food intake through meal planning, if you must eat fast food regularly here are some tips to pick the best food on the menu:

• Choose foods that are broiled over fried foods; for instance grilled chicken is better than fried chicken.
• Choose soups that are not cream based.
• Choose low-fat dressing for salads.
• Leave off the cheese with burgers.
• Use mustard or ketchup instead of mayonnaise.
• Order smaller meals and do not super size your order!

Eating fast food only occasionally will not do too much harm, if any, to your health. However, if you're consistently eating fast food once or twice (or more times) a week, look into minimizing health risks through meal planning strategies and eating the healthiest fast foods.

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