According to Bill Myers Online, Americans spend more money on fast food than on new cars, college education and software because fast food is so convenient. Fast food restaurants are easy to find in cities and towns across America. They offer quick meals for busy lifestyles that are so quick and convenient, you don't even have to get out of your car to get them. An article in "USA Today" points out that many fast food places aim to have customers wait less than a minute. Another advantage of fast food is that it is very inexpensive, notes MSN Money.
He continues by saying that people also may say that fast food is cheaper when measured by the calorie but when half of the people in this country consume too many calories rather than too few, measuring food’s cost by the calorie makes no sense. Bittman clearly states that the cost of fast foods aren’t as cheap as we have all tricked ourselves into thinking and that the obvious choice should be home cooked meals. As well as using hard evidence, Bittman also manages to convince his readers of his credibility because of his background and knowledge of food. Appearing on NBC’s The Today Show, NPR’s All Things Considered and the author of three books relating to food, Bittman is multifaceted (Beyond Print 1). Bittman makes it clear a few times during the article that he likes to make home cooked meals and
Our society’s obesity problem has some personal responsibility. There are other ways people can obtain healthier foods; cooking your own meals is an excellent alternative. Some think that fast food is inexpensive in which catches the public’s eye. In fact, cooking meals at home is a lot cheaper; consumers can grow their own food. Another factor of obesity can also be linked to parental responsibility.
Saturated fat raises total blood cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Saturated fat may also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. It is insane the amount of calories that one meal of McDonalds is. It is so unhealthy, aaltogether the Big Mac combo meal accounts for 1,483 calories, leaving a person on a 2,000 calorie diet with very little else to eat in one day. Many fast food meals rely on added fats and sodium as a way to enhance the flavor of inexpensive or low-quality ingredients.
Many families eat from take away and restaurants because it is an easier and a quicker process then cooking a meal at home. Obesity only occurs when taking in more calories
Going through a drive-through is much more effective than sitting down at a restaurant or preparing meals at home. For the average working class family living life on the go, it can save a lot of time and money. Also, the industry itself creates and perpetuates millions of jobs for the economy (often with low wages and poor benefits). The most common reason people continue to eat fast food, despite their knowledge of the negative effects, is the simple fact that it tastes good. The addictive and yet fattening qualities associated with fast food leave people constantly craving one more bite.
So grocery stores in poorer neighborhoods stock less milk and more soda, and the relentless advertising from the beverage industry and fast food joints makes sweet drinks an expected part of daily living. (633) This would be especially true for the poor because they have less money to waste, and they would think twice before using money to buy foods or drinks. The lower-price drinks would be more affordable. Increasing the cost of sugary drinks will change people’s opinion and behavior because healthy choices and bad choices will become equal. People always consider the price before the product’s quality so if the prices are the same, they will certainly prefer the quality and healthy choices.
While fast food is convenient and sometimes even more affordable than preparing a meal at home, overindulgence in such behavior is directly linked to adverse health problems. On the other hand, with the economy the way it is and the over accommodating fast food establishments offering one dollar food items, who is ultimately accountable for the obesity problem? I interviewed five of my friends regarding
It is more expensive for men and women who are obese to take care of themselves health wise and financially because Americans are now consuming fifty pounds more meat and fast food than in years before (“Obesity in America, By the Numbers: NPR”). Americans now spend sixty dollars more on fast foods because they are always on the go and spend little time worried about in healthier in order to quickly get back to other activities. They are more likely to spend money that can be used on more important things on food from the vending machine at work and to upgrade to the large meal. Being healthy doesn’t have to be expensive if a person allows time to research where to get the best products for a reasonable price and does not just settle at one store on things they know they do not want in the first place as a substitute. The local farmers market always has the great fruit and vegetable options that can fit everyone’s budget and still make a delicious meal (“Obesity in America, By the Numbers: NPR”).
Fast food is not only fast but also inexpensive compared to nutritious ready-to-eat meals. Black, Latino, or Native American children have a higher rate of obesity regardless of socioeconomic status compared to Caucasian children (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Studies are not able to pinpoint the reasons for this but suggest it may have to do with cultural patterns involving eating less fruits and vegetables and more saturated fats as well as leading a more sedentary