A Society of Fast Food and Big Problems

We have all eaten fast food at one point or another. It is too convenient and priced right when you are out running errands or shopping at a mall. What many people do not realize is how much damage eating fast food excessively can do to a person's health. Eating it in moderation and only every now and then, or once a week or less, isn't as bad for you. The best way to go is eating fresh, homemade foods. You know where the food came from and you know the ingredients in it as well. Eating natural and organic is the best thing to do for your health.

Fast food is high in trans fat, or partially hydrogenated oils. Many fast food restaurants are now moving towards not using trans fat which makes it a little better, but it is still not the healthiest of choices in meals. Trans fats are found in baked goods, processed foods as well as fast foods and many restaurant choices. Trans fat increases the risk of heart disease, insulin resistance, diabetes and many other health conditions and disorders.

Society fails to educate themselves about the long term damage that can be obtained by eating bad foods. Advertising makes it hard to avoid as well. Most fast food advertising targets children with their child friendly characters, child meals such as the happy meal at McDonald's as well as popular toys in their child meals. This can make it difficult for parents to totally avoid fast food chains. They are everywhere as well. You can't drive twenty miles without hitting at least one fast food restaurant. The price is affordable as well. A family of four can eat at a fast food restaurant for about twenty dollars. All of these factors taken into consideration, makes it very difficult to avoid eating fast food.

Bigger isn't always better but in the fast food industry, some may think it is. Most fast food restaurants have biggie items, or super size options and the cost is not much more than a smaller option. Many places are now offering healthier options such as milk, juice boxes, fruit and salads as sides instead of the traditional french fries and sugar laden sodas. Although this may help it seem healthier, it isn't too much better in the long run.

Filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, did the movie Supersize Me in which he ate McDonald's three times a day for thirty days to show the effects of eating too much fast food. In those thirty days, he gained 25 pounds, had severe fatigue, headaches, elevated blood sugar and cholesterol, and his blood pressures were rising continually. Although his experiment was a bit extreme, people started to see what too much fast food could do to a person. Even children got the jist of his easy to watch movie. The facts were astounding. Many people will not eat fast food anymore after watching his movie.

Part of the problem is that the American society is not as active as they should be. Part of that problem is working long hours and the many other things that we need to fit into our 24 hour days. Basically, for many, there isn't enough time in the day or days in the week to remain as active as one should. It has been recommended that one should do at least 30 minutes of exercise three to four times a week. Many people do not even get 30 minutes of exercise in one time a week. This adds to the fast food, fast life problem.

The statistics on some of the most popular fast food choices are incredible.

McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese - 770 calories, 47 grams of fat, 39 grams of carbs,1440 mg of sodium
Burger King's Double Whopper with Cheese - 1417 calories, 69 grams of fat, 53 grams of carbs, 1548 mg of sodium
Wendy's Big Bacon Classic - 580 calories, 22 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbs, 1430 mg of sodium
Wendy's Biggie Fries - 2590 calories, 29 grams of fat, 570 mg of sodium

So if you were to order a Big Bacon Classic and Biggie Fries at Wendy's, a normal order for many, you would top 3000 calories in just that one meal. That isn't including the soda that you are sure to order as well. Most people eat only 1200 to 2500 calories a day, depending on their body size, their activity level and if they are trying to lose weight or just maintain it. Imagine eating a meal such as that one at Wendy's twice a day. That would top 6000 calories in just one day. Weight gain is inevitable. Maybe this is why there are so many obese Americans out there.

Burger King sells about 100 whoppers to each one veggie burger. Pizza Hut sells 100 pan pizzas to each one lower calorie Fit N Delicious pizzas. Even restaurants other than fast food places are creating unhealthy meals. IHOP has a stuffed french toast meal that is french toast stuffed with sweetened cream cheese. The amount of calories and carbohydrates are incredible. Everywhere you go to eat, you are faced with high calorie, high carbohydrate and high fat options. Those are usually the favorites for many.

If you must eat out often, here are a few tips to help you to remain healthy.

Choose broiled or baked over fried foods.
Order soups that are not cream bases.
Choose low fat salad dressings instead of the regular types.
Choose mustard or ketchup over mayo.
Do not supersize.
Choose lean meats instead of high fat meats and cheeses.
Drink water or unsweetened tea instead of sugar laden sodas.
When ordering pizza, choose the thin crust type and add veggies instead of meats.
Try to order more veggies than other options, such as fries or potatoes.

You can eat out occasionally without it doing any serious damage to your health. Just eat out in moderation and be wise about your picks. Try to keep eating out to a once a week or less. Eat other meals as healthy as possible and exercise daily. Be educated about your health, that is the best way to stay healthy.