Fast Facts About Fast Foods

We are living in a fast-paced world where almost everything is instant. People are busier than ever with their jobs and social lives. There is so much to do and there’s so little time that even eating a meal could cost some of their precious time. Nearly everyone is now turning to Fast Food for solution. Indeed, the rise of the fast food industry or Quick Service Restaurants, has paved the way to help people be filled in so little time. But along with these advantages also lie the disadvantages that cannot be overlooked.

 

Let’s list some advantages and disadvantages of eating in fast food.

 

 

1. Saves Time – as the name itself implies, it’s “fast food”. People don’t have to go to the supermarkets or grocery stores to buy ingredients and cook them. The convenience that fast food provides is indeed undeniable.
2. Saves Money – this may sound silly but if you will think about it, most fast food is economical compared to fine dining. Also, the time and energy that will be used for preparing the food can be spent on other more profitable activities.
3. On-the-go Meals – Fast food has become a vital part of our life such that it offers food that can be enjoyed while working, driving, or watching movies in the comforts of our homes. Plus, they are readily available almost anywhere, at anytime.
4. Variety in food – Let’s face it, the fast food choices being offered these days are just amazing: so many different flavors, cultures, and gimmicks to choose from. What a way to excite those taste buds, right?

 

1. Unhealthy Food Choice – Most of the menu offerings in fast food restaurants are quite unhealthy like some fries, burgers and pizzas, and the likes. These foods have too much sodium and sugar which may be detrimental to our health. Also, we sometimes opt to upsize our meals which lead us to overeating and unhealthy weight gain.
2. Obesity – Based on studies, fast food is known to increase the prevalence of obesity because of its high caloric content. Most of the foods served use a great deal of grease and oil to make the food really mouthwatering. Consumption of greasy food leads to obesity which is a common medical condition that leads to health problems including heart problems and reduced life expectancy.
3. Liver Damage – Fast food are often produced using oils which is filled with trans-fat, an artificial fat that is used as a stabilizer for foods so it can sit for long periods of time before being consumed. Luckily, our body has a good way of eliminating this unwanted substance in our body through our liver. If this function is abused, however, there might be fat build up in the liver which can cause damage. This is the same damage caused by regularly consuming alcohol and if not kept in check could lead to liver failure.
4. Cardiovascular and Renal Function Damage – Most fast food items are high in sodium and cholesterol which can impair the cardiovascular and renal functions when consumed on a regular basis. Since our body already produces its own supply of cholesterol, consuming more of this from the food we eat may clog the arteries, increasing the risk of having heart attack or stroke. On the other hand, high levels of sodium from fries, sodas, or some enriched meat products will increase the blood pressure.

That is why we need to weigh our options. Bottom line is, it is vital to make healthy food choices. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little careful in ordering. Order a salad or grilled sandwich in whole grain bread. Or better yet, prepare your own meal every once in a while. A healthier sandwich may be a better alternative to that slice of pizza or large order of fries. There are available healthy breads in the supermarkets which are readily accessible and can be stored to suit one week consumption. For instance, Gardenia offers a wide variety of breads that everyone can enjoy. Not only does it smell and taste good, it is also super-packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber! Try our Gardenia Whole Wheat Pandesal. It is a source of calcium and fiber, and is also high in vitamins A, B1, B3, iron, and folate. You may try this low calorie – recipe to further enjoy your bread eating experience: Gardenia Spanish Sardines Omelette.

Fast food is often reported to cause a variety of health problems when regularly consumed in the long run. This is because they are packed with all or any of the following unwanted content: artificial ingredients, high sugar, high sodium, and various food additives and preservatives. These foods are not meant to be eaten in a regular basis. Nutrition experts recommend that we make healthy food choices. That as much as possible, whenever we have time, it is still best to prepare our own food.

 

Sources:

http://www.md-health.com/Disadvantages-Of-Fast-Food.html accessed February 23, 2017

http://justhealthlifestyle.com/fast-food-advantages-and-disadvantages-bad/ accessed February 23, 2017