How Has Fast-Food Changed Us

Staff Writer: Maya Walstead 

Fast food has taken over America. This is not only because of how easy it is to get, but also because it is addictive. Because of how unhealthy fast food is, obesity rates in the US are one of the highest in the world. However, when you stop eating out, and start eating from home, you can lose weight and live a healthier life.  

McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast-food restaurants in the US. McDonald’s is highly addictive. This is due to lots of things, including MSG, lots of sugar, and has Casein. MSG makes us feel unsatisfied, even if we’ve had a full meal. Sugar is highly addictive, and McDonald’s puts so much in their food. Casein is a protein. As you digest it, it becomes addictive, as it attaches to opiate receptors in the brain. And Casein, according to https://querysprout.com says, “Casein is dubbed as the food version of nicotine.”  

I asked Jacob Haynes and Spruce Mackay what their favorite fast-food restaurants were. Jacob said, “Chick-fil-a because their spicy chicken sandwiches are amazing.” And Spruce said, “Zaxby’s because their chicken and ranch are very good.” Both of these places sell a variety of salads, so they are trying to be healthier.  

Because this food is also so easy to get, people make the unconscious decision to get more fast food. According to https://www.cdc.gov/ in 2015 to 2016 93.3 percent of US adults were obese. Although most obesity is genetic, some is still caused by binge eating. And a lot of that starts with fast food. As I said before, the need for this food comes from the fact that it doesn’t make us feel full, but it’s so good that we think we need more.  

Another reason fast food is bad for your well-being is due to the effects of an unhealthy diet on your body. Fast food has trans-fat in it. This can increase bad cholesterol and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.   

Eating out is also more expensive than getting food at the grocery store. This is because when you get food at a resturant, you’re not just getting food, you’re paying the people that make it, serve it, the goods they used to make it, the list could go on. According to https://www.sofi.com/ “One study showed that on average, it was five times more expensive to order take out from a restaurant than it was to cook at home.” 

Fast food is also detrimental to our well-being because it takes away from family dinner time. When you are coming home from practice or just had a late night at work, you usually get fast food. And when you get home, you usually don’t eat with anyone.  

You should stop eating fast food as often to save money, make healthier decisions, and to spend more time with your family.