Why People Eat Fast Food

Eating out at fast food restaurants has really become one of the most popular ways to buy food these days. It is convenient and the easiest way to buy food. Many fast food places have adopted the dollar menu. The idea of making it affordable to every ones cost. One of the reasons nutritious foods are more expensive than the greasy, high-calorie dollar menu items is because it takes more time and effort to prepare healthy items. Monica Williams traveled to these three restaurants: McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's. Customers and managers were asked about their selection of fast food items and why they chose to eat there. Of thirty customers interviewed at these fast food locations, twenty stated that they ate fast food because it was convenient and cheap; seven said it was because they had a craving for something on the menu items; and three said it was because they didn't feel like cooking at home. People eat fast food because of time, money, and satisfaction.

Williams, Monica. "Why do we eat fast food?." TEC. The East Carolinian, 24 Oct 09. Web. 1 Apr 2010.

Speaking for me, if I have a couple of dollars in my wallet I would most likely pull into a drive thru before walking in Publix and buying a nutritional meal. Fast food saves both money and time. Monica stated that the way our society is today people are obsessed with saving money "even if it means sacrificing our healthy eating habits in order to save five or six bucks in our wallets". Home cooked meals are obviously healthier, but sometimes fast food is just easy and quick. In my opinion, fast food is definitely linked with America's obesity problem. A lot more people are fat these days compared to early years. It's crazy how some of us won't eat the vegetables we watched our mom prepare, but we will eat food that we couldn't physically see being cooked; not knowing where it's been, or who cooked it. Fast food does save time, money, and it's very satisfying, but it never hurts to try and be healthier by eating at home more often.

Disadvantages of Fast Food

Fast foods contain a lot of fat, calories, cholesterol, and sodium. Some common risks would be: pour nutrition, increase of belly fat, clogged arteries, or heart disease. Fast food is directly linked to obesity in America. A recent study has shown that people who live within walking distance of a fast food restaurant are at thirteen percent higher risk of suffering from strokes than those who live a considerable distance away. Since fast food is known for its high calorie intake most of the extra fat is not completely used up. Money is another disadvantage. It can become expensive to big families who are eating fast food every night. Overall, the "greatest disadvantage of fast food is the effect that it has on ones health".

Bose, Debopriva. "Advantages and Disadvantages of Fast Food."
Buzzle (2005): n.pag. Web. 25 Mar 2010.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-fast-food.html

In response, this article makes a lot of sense when discussing someones disadvantages and health problems. A friend of mine eats out every night. Her mom never cooks, and it's obvious of the health change in those who eat out compared to those who have home cooked meals. In my opinion eating out doesn't really give you the chance to talk to your family, or have a real conversation. There will always be other people around in fast food places. Dinner is the most important meal to connect with your family. Eating out every once in a while wouldn't matter much, but making it a habit would not be good. It can also get pricy, especially when you're feeding a family. Nutrition and health issues are a huge factor to look at as well. Fast food is proven to be unhealthy. Its common sense to know if you eat out all the time you are at higher risks of health problems or obesity.