Fast Fatty and Fried: It's What We Want
Despite massive media focus on healthy diet, the last year has seen a huge resurgence in fast food consumption. I'm not talking about the salads here, but the fatty stuff. Consider the following points (via Business Week):
The Hardees Monster Thickburger
is a sign of the times.
- KFC has experienced sales growth of 6% in the last year
- NPD Group researcher Harry Balzer reports that fried chicken is the fastest-growing fast-food menu item in the last decade.
- Hamburger outlets served 500 million more customers in 2004 than in 2003
- Doughnut shops served 150 million more people in 2004 than in 2003
- Americans are eating out more than ever before and choose their food based on taste, price, and convenience (it's no surprise then, that KFC's bestseller was the 99 cent "Snacker" - with the $9.99 bucket chicken also being a big seller).
Quite frankly, this is sad. Instant gratification has become the norm, and the only winners are the fast food brand magnates. The article also notes that food-market researcher Technomic found in a 2005 survey that 69% of consumers described their diets when eating out as "fair to poor".
Forget the fast food lawsuits. This is all about personal informed choices. The Business Week article sums up today's philosophy nicely - "obesity be damned. Let the feasting begin."
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I accept your opinion. However, there is a social cost directly related to obesity. Like it or not we will have to absorb this ever increasing cost of care which is attributable to fried and fatty food.
We need to act responsibly and aim to prevent health problems. These huge organisations should be accountable for the results that we are seeing. I would go as far as charging them a levy to help pay for health care but more importantly such a levy will force them to produce better quality food. If very stringent measures in regards better food quality are not implemented very soon then our health care costs and insurance will simply become unaffordable.
My advise for whatever it is worth is... teach everyone to eat healthy food the way nature intended for us to eat our food.
ReplyYOUR BORING????? SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING INTERESTING
ReplyThe key words are price and convenience. It costs more and takes more time to prepare and eat healthier foods – the taste for healthy foods can be acquired. I suspect we will see this trend toward increased fast food consumption continue as the economy continues to decline. It is one area where people can get a quick inexpensive ‘treat’ during a stressful day.
http://www.antiagingatlanta.com
Replyit aint all about money
ReplyGreat! No wonder Americans keep getting fatter. I hope we are teaching the next generation that taste buds are not the final authority on what we should put in our mouth.
ReplyI used to be a fast food junkie and walked into the doctors office one day and he took one look at me and started writing a prescription for drugs. I couldn't stick to a diet let alone exersize until I found Medifast. I'm a heath advisor and have helped many prople lose weight. But after reading this artical realize I will have a steady "stream" of clients now and in the future. Usually, when people are faced with a life threatening situation they will act. I will be there with Take Shape for Life and Medifast.
Replythats bad advice and this is how you spell people, PEOPLE!!!!
ReplyI am losing weight and also quitting smoking. In my quest for information about quitting smoking, I came across a book that claimed that we are brainwashed into thinking quitting is very hard, when it is actually only a few days of discomfort and thereafter it's as easy to stop as any other habit.
Could they be doing this with food also? They offer alternatives that are pretty nasty and full of additives just to look good, but they know you're going to go for the even worse stuff when you get there.
I've managed to realize that all fast food is pretty much bad. I stick to natural foods as often as possible. I feel full after a meal and I am happier for it. You have to realize that you are not being deprived of anything by not eating their junk. Be happy when you opt for good wholesome food instead of something that will kill you.
ReplyIt is not only the Americans who suffer from unhealthy hamburgers and all other kind of fast food. Here in Bulgaria we also have KFC and McDonalds and many other local fatty fast food.
We are now trying to be more like the Americans and we have almost succeeded as far as fast food is concerned.
I have always known it’ unhealthy, but it's also cheap and convenient, so no wonder why people prefer fast food to home made food, which is more expensive and time consuming. And this is really sad:(
ReplyThe U.S. is not the only country with this fast food dilema. As McDonalds and other fastfood chains infiltrate other countries around the world they are getting obese too. human taste buds do not discriminate!
ReplyCHICKEN IS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD and that burger looks divine
ReplyIt is an individual's responsibilty to make good choices...PERIOD. People all over the world choose all sorts of unhealthy and risky behavior...besides food. It is the same attitude of blaming the companies or blaming other people that let people excuse their own bad choices. Get a grip and make good choices...PERIOD.
ReplyFor everyone's information i love McDonalds even if it is unhealthy but i know i shouldnt eat there ... but i do sometimes anyways ! I also love their sundaes and mcflurrys!!
Sincerely,
ReplyKriteney
chicken good.
fried fast food chicken not good.
ReplyI hate fast food... I'm a teenager, I should love Micky D's and all that crap, but about two years ago I stopped eating all fast foods and soda etc. Now, I feel sick when I eat fast food. Once you eat healthier, you realize how awful fast food really tastes. Most people don't have the will power that I do, though... so sucks for them : )