An Argument Against Fast Food
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Hate to tell you that many top and elite Olympian athletes eat fast food. Why? Because of calorie content. If you burn 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day, they CAN'T eat "clean" all day and perform well because they would always be eating and full.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
we've been through this already and I agree. but it's ok for them to eat fast food ON TOP of the other nutrient dense foods they eat because their daily needs are being met by those foods, and the empty calories of fast food actually HELP them vs hurt them like with typical people. but don't make the mistake of thinking they don't also eat incredibly nutritious, nutrient dense foods every day as well.0 -
Just break up0
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Hate to tell you that many top and elite Olympian athletes eat fast food. Why? Because of calorie content. If you burn 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day, they CAN'T eat "clean" all day and perform well because they would always be eating and full.Before you flame without reading the post, please keep in mind that while I have not listed the sources, Brendan Brazier, top triathlete and nutritional specialist lists ALL his sources in his book (Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life). It would take pages to list them all here.
I'm not saying any diet is better than another, just that I found this quite interesting to read, and thought others might too.A calorie is defined as a measure of food energy. It might seem logical, then, to assume that the more calories consumed, the more energy our body is supplied with. Of course, we know this is not the case, otherwise people with the highest energy would be those who eat at fast food restaurants. By simply consuming more calories, we are not guaranteed more energy. Many conventional nutrition books would have us believe that if we expend a certain amount of energy, it can be quantified and replaced. They suggest that by simply adhering to calorie counts, with no consideration of other factors, we can accurately gauge the amount of food we need to consume to maintain low body weight and high energy. But it doesn't work that way.
Unfortunately, most foods in the average North American's diet require almost as much energy to assimilate as they contain, because while they are high in calories, they are low in nutrients. The nutritional value of food stated on the food packaging label refers to what is in the food - not what the body actually gets from it. By consuming more easily assimilated foods, you can conserve a large amount of energy, therefore reducing stress in the body, and helping with recovery. There are two main reasons for this. First, foods in their natural, nutrient-dense state can be digested and assimilated with less energy expenditure than processed, refined foods. Second, when more nutrient-rich foods are present in the diet, the body does not have to eat as much as if it were fed less nutrient-rich foods. Today, I consume 30 percent fewer calories than I did just two years ago, yet I have more energy - by means of conservation, rather than consumption.
Essentially the point is this: because fast food is not nutritionally dense, your body has to work harder to get fewer nutrients, which is a WASTE of energy. Energy that could otherwise be used on anything from recovery - which would allow you to train harder and more often - to mental energy, to just feeling better in your day to day life. The more steam lined your system, and the less it has to work to digest the food you introduce, the better YOU will operate. The more weight you'll lose. The better you will feel.
But hey, I'm not here to say you HAVE to do it. I'm not even saying you should! If you'd rather eat fast food because you really enjoy it, then I would never advocate giving it up! But if your goals are to perform better and to feel better, not just lose weight, it may be worth considering.
Have at it. And let's try and keep it civil, K?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I made this argument that the most elite athlete in the world (Michael Phelps) eats unhealthy processed foods to do this. Regardless of it being 8000 calories or 12000 calories, it's still based around eating unhealthy.0 -
i actually think the conversation is getting good! of course that's when the trolls return.
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BTW, what are we arguing about now.. I completely forgot. If this is going no where, can I just lock this thread?0
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BTW, what are we arguing about now.. I completely forgot. If this is going no where, can I just lock this thread?
HAH! Please?0 -
I heard this before and it's something to think about: One salad will not make you skinny just one burger will make you fat. It's ok to have a cheat meal every now and then, just be smart about it. I myself order a small pizza instead of an extra large with chicken wings or when I go to a mexican resturant I order fish or shrimp tacos rather than getting a huge burrito. Be smart about how and when you eat.0
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If you actually think that eating fast food once a month is going to cause you all kinds of horrible illnesses in your middle age, then by placebo-induced stress, you will experience bad health effects. But it wouldn't be from the fast food or any of its contents, it would be from your own extended periods of anxiety.To eat healthy now versus having all those health concern of the aged/elderly person who didnt' make the right choices while they were younger. Most of our illnessness can be avoided by eating right and living healthy.
That is exactly why I said that this thread is an argument against orthorexia.
re: the orthorexia thing - my initial post says if you enjoy fast food, don't give it up. by definition that is an argument against orthorexia.0 -
I heard this before and it's something to think about: One salad will not make you skinny just one burger will make you fat. It's ok to have a cheat meal every now and then, just be smart about it. I myself order a small pizza instead of an extra large with chicken wings or when I go to a mexican resturant I order fish or shrimp tacos rather than getting a huge burrito. Be smart about how and when you eat.
This.0 -
Then explain the difference of someone else who gets in the correct macro/micro nutrient daily content required, eat the majority (say 85%) of their calories in nutritious dense food, yet still have calories to spare and eat some "processed" foods to fill in? Where is the detriment if someone is trained correctly, isn't suffering from any health maladies and stays steady in weight and health?Hate to tell you that many top and elite Olympian athletes eat fast food. Why? Because of calorie content. If you burn 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day, they CAN'T eat "clean" all day and perform well because they would always be eating and full.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
we've been through this already and I agree. but it's ok for them to eat fast food ON TOP of the other nutrient dense foods they eat because their daily needs are being met by those foods, and the empty calories of fast food actually HELP them vs hurt them like with typical people. but don't make the mistake of thinking they don't also eat incredibly nutritious, nutrient dense foods every day as well.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Then explain the difference of someone else who gets in the correct macro/micro nutrient daily content required, eat the majority (say 85%) of their calories in nutritious dense food, yet still have calories to spare and eat some "processed" foods to fill in? Where is the detriment if someone is trained correctly, isn't suffering from any health maladies and stays steady in weight and health?Hate to tell you that many top and elite Olympian athletes eat fast food. Why? Because of calorie content. If you burn 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day, they CAN'T eat "clean" all day and perform well because they would always be eating and full.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
we've been through this already and I agree. but it's ok for them to eat fast food ON TOP of the other nutrient dense foods they eat because their daily needs are being met by those foods, and the empty calories of fast food actually HELP them vs hurt them like with typical people. but don't make the mistake of thinking they don't also eat incredibly nutritious, nutrient dense foods every day as well.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
that's totally fine.
Edit: Thus my donut yesterday.0 -
Couldn't one argue that the increased TEF from having to process nutritionally sparse foods would have a positive impact on weightloss?
I knew someone else had to be thinking that. :laugh:
I'm not condoning eating fast food, but that particular article could be interpreted as it being beneficial to weight loss.0 -
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But hey, I'm not here to say you HAVE to do it. I'm not even saying you should! If you'd rather eat fast food because you really enjoy it, then I would never advocate giving it up! But if your goals are to perform better and to feel better, not just lose weight, it may be worth considering.
Dude, you totally moved the goal posts. Your first post very specifically said to consider giving it up. You didn't say, "cut back," or "only in moderation," you said, "giving it up!"i actually completely agree with much of what you just wrote. i never said that one instance of fast food eating will cause a horrific reaction in your body, or that you will experience nutritional stress from it. i've always maintained through these discussions that it's the repeated, constant ingesting of fast food that will slowly begin to take a toll. an isolated incident - frankly even eating it once or twice a week - will more than likely not make a difference. I think it's a different story when it becomes a daily thing.0 -
well.. fast food is not pleasurable for me to consume..If i eat it I feel sick and can't eat the rest of the day. A big mac is a pretty big burger in my opinion and fries.. well that all depends on the size you go with and how much they stuff it huh? I like to taste my food, not the grease it is cooked in. lol
It is high is salt and sugar esp when paired with soda as it usually is.
And as i've told you. You can't diary shame me. i don't eat enough. That's my biggest problem and I know it.. and it's a work in progress.Run along kid......grown folks talking. As it was stated in the last page and I have told you before and again, your daily dairy is horrible. You have no merit to speak on this subject.
And as I've told you. Yes you don't eat enough but that's not what I'm getting at. You constantly come on here saying how to not eat this or that but yet you eat "bad for you food" as you put it, all the time. Then defend it by saying well I still lose weight and you don't here me complaining about eating stuff in my diary. Your diary is open to being shamed when you take this "I only make healthy choices" approach in your posts yet your food choices are atrocious, to quote a previous poster.
come on, let's not be cruel to people. we're all here to improve, ok?0 -
Personally it seems like most people are in agreement.
Is fast food optimal? No. Are there better choices? Yes. In the context of an otherwise good and balanced diet is some fast good bad? No.
You mean to tell me that keeping things in context and being proportionate is the key? Who knew
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But hey, I'm not here to say you HAVE to do it. I'm not even saying you should! If you'd rather eat fast food because you really enjoy it, then I would never advocate giving it up! But if your goals are to perform better and to feel better, not just lose weight, it may be worth considering.
Dude, you totally moved the goal posts. Your first post very specifically said to consider giving it up. You didn't say, "cut back," or "only in moderation," you said, "giving it up!"i actually completely agree with much of what you just wrote. i never said that one instance of fast food eating will cause a horrific reaction in your body, or that you will experience nutritional stress from it. i've always maintained through these discussions that it's the repeated, constant ingesting of fast food that will slowly begin to take a toll. an isolated incident - frankly even eating it once or twice a week - will more than likely not make a difference. I think it's a different story when it becomes a daily thing.
"But hey, I'm not here to say you HAVE to do it. I'm not even saying you should! If you'd rather eat fast food because you really enjoy it, then I would never advocate giving it up! But if your goals are to perform better and to feel better, not just lose weight, it may be worth considering."
MAY be worth considering. Worth thinking about. Worth doing the research about. I never said "YOU MUST NEVER EAT FAST FOOD"
come on man.0 -
While one can eat a ton of avocados, nuts, etc. that are calorie dense, I suspect that elite athletes consume processed foods high in calories for variety and taste.Hate to tell you that many top and elite Olympian athletes eat fast food. Why? Because of calorie content. If you burn 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day, they CAN'T eat "clean" all day and perform well because they would always be eating and full.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I've never had to eat so many calories personally but while you probably would have a difficult (or impossible) time eating 'clean' to get there, I suspect there are some better alternatives. And I wonder if that's all they eat or if there are nutritious meals mixed in there too. I don't think an elite athlete's increased caloric requirements stipulate that the micronutrients they need is increased. That's probably fairly constant. All they really need are the extra calories at that point. But they've entered a realm that most people don't exist in.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
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Personally it seems like most people are in agreement.
Is fast food optimal? No. Are there better choices? Yes. In the context of an otherwise good and balanced diet is some fast good bad? No.
You mean to tell me that keeping things in context and being proportionate is the key? Who knew
i think the reason it continues is the definition of "some" fast food. folks here think once a day is moderation, and others feel that is detrimental. but again, at the end of the day, to each his or her own.0 -
Why is no one willing to talk about the MERCURY in the VACCINES that we're giving CHILDREN?0
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BTW, what are we arguing about now.. I completely forgot. If this is going no where, can I just lock this thread?
nooooooo:flowerforyou:0 -
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Ummm... I am confused, is this a new concept? 0
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Why is no one willing to talk about the MERCURY in the VACCINES that we're giving CHILDREN?
Maybe because almost none of them contain mercury anymore?0 -
Personally it seems like most people are in agreement.
Is fast food optimal? No. Are there better choices? Yes. In the context of an otherwise good and balanced diet is some fast good bad? No.
You mean to tell me that keeping things in context and being proportionate is the key? Who knew
i think the reason it continues is the definition of "some" fast food. folks here think once a day is moderation, and others feel that is detrimental. but again, at the end of the day, to each his or her own.
Fair enough.
The problem is that like many things in health and fitness (or life in general actually) is that having concrete markers or points which have no exceptions is nigh on impossible. It's a spectrum and people fall within it. Where they fall depends on a large number of factors...
I don't think anyone in all seriousness is making the argument that a diet consisting of solely "junk food" is optimal or even desirable. How much junk a person can get away with will depend therefore on their individual circumstances.
Ok, I got to go ride.
Later.0 -
While one can eat a ton of avocados, nuts, etc. that are calorie dense, I suspect that elite athletes consume processed foods high in calories for variety and taste.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Sure, and while there's no accounting for taste (I've truly just lost my taste for this stuff), like I said, I'm sure they get healthy food too. They really are edge cases that are hard to apply to real life. The problem with these conversations is anyone who says anything bad about fast food is shouted down. Even if, as was this case, they weren't saying to stop eating it. Just to think about what you're eating. I live on the road. I'm in airports twice a week and sleep in a hotel more than my own house and I still haven't had fast food in almost a year.
If you like it, eat it! But it should be seen as a treat. If you're eating it multiple meals a week, you may not want to hear that its a problem but it probably is. Just like eating cake for multiple meals, that wouldn't be good either. I love cake and pizza and other sorts of junk foods (not that pizza is always junk actually, it can be quite healthy) but I also don't eat them as my primary meals. Doesn't mean I don't still eat them and ultimately as CoachReddy said, if you want to eat it...then go for it. But on a forum about nutrition, we should be able to discuss nutrition. If you don't care about the lack of nutrition in a fast food meal then don't come talk about it. Claiming its nutritious won't make it so.0 -
If you actually think that eating fast food once a month is going to cause you all kinds of horrible illnesses in your middle age, then by placebo-induced stress, you will experience bad health effects. But it wouldn't be from the fast food or any of its contents, it would be from your own extended periods of anxiety.To eat healthy now versus having all those health concern of the aged/elderly person who didnt' make the right choices while they were younger. Most of our illnessness can be avoided by eating right and living healthy.
That is exactly why I said that this thread is an argument against orthorexia.
re: the orthorexia thing - my initial post says if you enjoy fast food, don't give it up. by definition that is an argument against orthorexia.
Exactly, and it's not an argument against fast food. That would be why I said that this thread would be more appropriately titled "An Argument Against Orthorexia." Glad to see you're up to speed. 0 -
Unless you're getting a salad, has anyone made a positive argument for eating fast food? I read an article over the summer, which was published American Heart Association's journal, that freaked me. It states that eating fast food once a week increases your risk of dying from coronary heart disease by 20% compared to someone who avoided fast food.
Read up, and be scared:
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/126/2/182.full0
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