I. ADG- The reason why fast food is often described as unpleasant is not a falsehood. During my overnight shift at McDonald’s, a customer who was intoxicated drove through the Drive-Thru around 2:30 a.m. While my coworker took his order, the customer used offensive language and insulted her due to an incorrect order. This made my coworker angry, leading her to spit in the customer’s Sweet Tea. Once another coworker informed the manager about the incident, she was immediately fired. Having worked at McDonald’s for the past 3 years and truly understanding its unappetizing nature, I now visit fast food establishments less frequently than before.
In March 2011, Health Magazine reported that Americans spent a staggering $165 billion on fast food in 2010. The purpose of this text is to provide persuasive arguments for reducing our fast food consumption, while retaining the original html tags and content. The main goal is to educate the audience about the detrimental effects that excessive fast food consumption can have on individuals and society as a whole. To start, we will explore various issues associated with fast food.
The excessive consumption of fast food by Americans and its integration into our lifestyle have become significant factors to consider, as well as the impact it has on the environment. To address these problems caused by fast food, I will suggest some potential solutions. It is clear that once individuals are informed about the various issues related to fast food, they will reconsider visiting such establishments.
Furthermore, overconsumption of fast food poses serious health risks, making the current state concerning fast food unfavorable.
- Obesity and Type 2 diabetes- A fast food item sometimes has as much calories that can cover the amount of calories you need for a day. 2. Stroke and Cardiovascular disease- Trans-fat, hydrogenated fat, and sugars from fast food clog up the arteries increasing the chances of a stroke. Also fast foods build up plaque and fat in the arteries which can result into a variety of heart disease or even heart failure. 3. Asthma- With high-calories, high-sugar, and high-fat diets, the symptoms of asthma can easily be aggravated.
Obese individuals are 92% more likely to experience asthma symptoms. Moreover, the accumulation of fat in liver cells results in liver disease, which can progress to cirrhosis or liver failure. Additionally, nutrition accounts for 30% of tumors related to breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Pollution is also a consequence of consuming fast food. Fast food restaurants, known for their speedy meals packed with excessive condiments, significantly contribute to urban litter across our nation. This litter can easily find its way into gutters and storm drains before ultimately reaching the ocean.
This water pollution endangers marine environments. Currently, only a small portion (less than 35%) of waste generated by fast food stores is redirected from landfills, with the majority being cardboard. Additionally, napkins, wrappers, and straws from popular chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King constitute 49% of all street litter. These issues are attributed to various factors. However, the main contributors are the tactics employed by large fast food companies and their fatty, addictive food options, which are favored by the average American over homemade meals.
Fast food is popular in America for several reasons. It is filling, convenient, inexpensive, and quickly available to accommodate the fast-paced lifestyle. Furthermore, fast food restaurants specifically aim at children through extensive advertising. According to the Public Citizen’s Commercial Alert website on October 31, 2008, children are exposed to an average of 3.5 commercials promoting fast food every day. In addition, fast food can be addictive because it contains high levels of sugar, fat, salt, casein (referred to as the nicotine of food), and monosodium glutamate.
Fast food consumption can trigger the release of pleasure chemicals in the brain, similar to heroin, leading to addiction. Furthermore, it also contributes significantly to pollution as customers frequently consume meals while on the move and inadequately dispose of their waste. Many individuals tend to discard trash from car windows or leave it behind when there is no nearby garbage bin accessible. Nevertheless, every problem has a solution.
IV. There are multiple methods to achieve a solution, yielding notable benefits. A. The implementation of government regulations concerning food safety and controlled substances in fast foods can lead to reduced calorie intake. B. Choosing alternative options at fast food restaurants, such as sliced apples and macaroni and cheese instead of French fries, as well as opting for different beverages instead of sodas. C. Lastly, the discontinuation of Drive-thru service at fast food establishments encourages customers to dine inside the restaurant.
It is important for customers to remember not to leave any trash behind after they finish their meal in order to decrease littering and pollution.
All people should work towards making a change in this issue.
To recap, fast food has adverse effects on both our health and the environment. Overindulging in fast food exacerbates these problems. Several solutions have been proposed to tackle these concerns. Hence, it is advisable to steer clear of unhygienic fast food establishments and show consideration for the individuals who prepare your meals.
