Is fast food really so bad for you?
Replies
-
Yes, fast food really is that bad for you. Not only are the foods higher in calories, fats, sugars, sodium, etc. but these foods are full of fillers and highly processed. Processed foods are stripped of their nutrients and are easier for your body to break down and store as fats. When you consume processed foods, your body breaks down the foods quickly and receives a high amount of glucose/sugar as a one-time spike. Afterwards, your body crashes and is hungry again. If you eat complex carbs and healthier foods, your body takes longer to break it down and therefore receives a steady amount of glucose/sugars over a longer period of time, and therefore you will not crash or get hungry as often. 100 calories from processed foods is not the same as 100 calories from healthier foods. If you stick to healthier foods such as fruits, veggies, lean meats and complex carbs/whole wheats, your body will get the nutrients it needs and you will not be putting junk into your system.0
-
While the book isn't on fast food really, I just read Salt, Sugar, Fat, and it was amazing! The author just presents a bunch of research about why we likes those things and why they are in processed foods to the degree they are. He doesn't necessarily argue that we should never eat these things or even say what our eating habits should be, but just presented what he learned after doing a bunch of research on how the food scientists decide what the formulas are for their products. What blew me away was the reasons why there is so much sodium in processed food. I always assumed it was just for preservation but apparently it covers up all sorts of nasty flavors. Yikes!
My take away was that it's fine to eat processed foods every now and then but to do it infrequently and to make things instead of buying them when I can. I think the same can be applied to fast food. Every now and then is no big deal, and there are times when you really have no other options, like at an airport where you are lucky to find a cup of fruit for sale and can't bring in your own meal.
And to address the points about needing salt, sugar, and fat. Yes, we do need those things, but not nearly in the amounts that most people consume. The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of ADDED sugar each day so that is not including natural sugars like fructose or lactose. The amount of sodium that we consume (on average) is astronomically high and directly linked to why 1 in 4 Americans have high blood pressure, which leads to heart problems. It's obvious that the average diet (diet meaning what people are eating) needs a makeover. I certainly don't blame fast food or processed foods because they are businesses and they are trying to make their product as tasty as possible while keeping costs low to keep people coming back for more. It makes sense. But, if we want to change anything we have to vote with our dollars and stick to the perimeter of the grocery store (produce, dairy, bakery, etc).0 -
I think it's okay as long as you get the kid's sized portions (i.e. what a single portion used to be in the 50s). Eating poor quality food once an awhile isn't going to kill you. Obvi no one should eat it as 100% of their diet.0
-
not this thread again...let me get some coffee and pull up a chair :bigsmile:0
-
@VeganChica: The wheat bread at Subway has honey in it
0 -
YES 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!thats why millions of AMericans are obese0
-
My take away was that it's fine to eat processed foods every now and then but to do it infrequently and to make things instead of buying them when I can. I think the same can be applied to fast food. Every now and then is no big deal, and there are times when you really have no other options, like at an airport where you are lucky to find a cup of fruit for sale and can't bring in your own meal.
No to sidetrack the thread, but you can actually bring bars, produce, and food through airport security. :bigsmile: Also, I bring an empty water bottle to fill up inside.0 -
you know how I handle the reproductive system...F It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bahahahahahahahaSorry, but I can't see a "Sarcastic" button on this post. If it's there, then I'd like to know why you feel this way. If you're being honest, then thanks for the compliment. I've been accused of "thinking and teaching outside the box for a Catholic school" on numerous occasions, which is why the parents are constantly complimenting me for the way I teach their kids.
haha
You should see how I handle the reproductive system. Now that's a real barn burner of a lesson!
:laugh:
PS: LOVE the profile pic.
I kinda like you.
it won't last for long....0 -
I can't stand it when people bring up Super Size Me as their main argument on why not to eat fast food. Morgan Spurlock ate an average of 5,000 calories per day. Considering most nutritional labels figure recommended daily allowances based on a 2,000 calorie diet, and it takes about 3,500 excess calories to gain one pound, you can easily see how it is not shocking that a person who ate 5,000 calories per day for 30 days gained 25 pounds, especially considering he made it a point to be inactive. How come no one ever talks about the documentary "Me and Mickey D's" where Soso Whaley ate at McDonald's for 30 days and lost weight sticking to a 2,000 calorie diet and moderate exercise.?
And you folks talking about Subway being healthier and then griping about portion control make me laugh. Line 3 "sandwich artists" up side by side, order the exact same thing, and I guarantee that no two sandwiches will be alike. Not even the pre-portioned stuff at Subway is exact.
Bottom line...too much food, in general, is bad. 5,000 calories per day is bad (for most people). Inactivity is bad. That's it. It doesn't need to be more complicated than that.0 -
I cover it ALL, so don't worry your pretty little head over what I do and do not teach in my classroom. And I promise I won't tell you how to do your job, either.
I work in finance. LOTS of people try to tell me how to do my job.
I was trying to be polite.
It's a legit question. What is wrong with a 1,000 calorie meal?0 -
you know how I handle the reproductive system...F It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bahahahahahahahaSorry, but I can't see a "Sarcastic" button on this post. If it's there, then I'd like to know why you feel this way. If you're being honest, then thanks for the compliment. I've been accused of "thinking and teaching outside the box for a Catholic school" on numerous occasions, which is why the parents are constantly complimenting me for the way I teach their kids.
haha
You should see how I handle the reproductive system. Now that's a real barn burner of a lesson!
:laugh:
PS: LOVE the profile pic.
I kinda like you.
it won't last for long....
I'm all about focu---- OOOH, PRETTY BUTTERFLY! -- wait, no, what, where was I?0 -
I cover it ALL, so don't worry your pretty little head over what I do and do not teach in my classroom. And I promise I won't tell you how to do your job, either.
I work in finance. LOTS of people try to tell me how to do my job.
I was trying to be polite.
It's a legit question. What is wrong with a 1,000 calorie meal?
It injects too many toxins into your system..dughh!0 -
No to sidetrack the thread, but you can actually bring bars, produce, and food through airport security. :bigsmile: Also, I bring an empty water bottle to fill up inside.
I did not know that. I will have to bring an empty water bottle next time. There was one time when I had fresh produce from my mother-in-law's garden, and I ended up getting stopped by security. They didn't make me throw it away, but it was annoying. Thanks for the tip!0 -
No to sidetrack the thread, but you can actually bring bars, produce, and food through airport security. :bigsmile: Also, I bring an empty water bottle to fill up inside.
I did not know that. I will have to bring an empty water bottle next time. There was one time when I had fresh produce from my mother-in-law's garden, and I ended up getting stopped by security. They didn't make me throw it away, but it was annoying. Thanks for the tip!
they always stop me because they think I have a gun in my pants...I am like dude that is my junk not a Glock!0 -
Just because something is legal (not shut down) doesn't mean it isn't terrible. Cigarettes are sold to the masses and generally known to cause serious health problems.
That said, I don't know anyone who thinks fast food is super terrible, lol. I guess I need to find some health buffs, hmm...0 -
yes thats why millions of americanss are obese0
-
Not all fast food is created equal. You can eat something at Subway (I don't know why you would want to) for under 700 calories. Or you can go to Chipolte or Qdoba and get a bean burrito like for 600 calories. Or you can get a veggie burger at Burger King for under 217 calories so make that 2 plus cheese if you like for just a little over 600 calories. Then there is Au bon Pan, I get the black bean sandwich for about 700 calories. I am sure I missed a whole lot of not so bad fast food options. The point is check out the menu figure out what you can have that isn't horrible or if you are lucky might even be healthy.0
-
Yeah, it's that bad for you. Look into the nutrition facts of it and you'll see that. WAY too high in sodium and fat. Really bad for you.
And it's so popular because it sells for really cheap and a lot of people who can't afford to buy groceries to make dinners at home can get fast food. And also because, well, it's fast and easy.
But yeah I mean, it's not too bad every once in a while. Just don't go eating it every day. The main reason I'm overweight now is because when I was in elementary school, my mom worked late shifts and my dad was in charge of getting us dinner after school and he always got us fast food cause he doesn't cook.0 -
In...
...for chemicals and hard to pronounce words and sugar and clean and stuff...
ETA: ...and fat and sodium and toxins and more stuff...0 -
is that even a question??0
-
In...
...for chemicals and hard to pronounce words and sugar and clean and stuff...
ETA: ...and fat and sodium and toxins and more stuff...
IN for noms.0 -
In...
...for chemicals and hard to pronounce words and sugar and clean and stuff...
ETA: ...and fat and sodium and toxins and more stuff...
IN for noms.
I have already been in, but consider me back in!0 -
Yeah it probally is but why do we tend to think it is the worst thing in the world if it was so bad then why don't we shut it down ever ask that question, but we still should not eat too much of it but alittle should be good because at least we are getting in our daily protein and calories. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Punctuation.0 -
Getting this tomorrow. (it's only 2.5lbs apparently)
0 -
Getting this tomorrow. (it's only 2.5lbs apparently)
is that what you look like after the burrito challenge???0 -
Yeah, it's that bad for you. Look into the nutrition facts of it and you'll see that. WAY too high in sodium and fat. Really bad for you.
If I take a food and put a lot of salt and butter on it, it does not magically become "bad for me".0 -
I suppose the simple answer is " what are you here for ?" as most members here have a weight loss goal and fast food has all the wrong content to aid in wieght loss
Sure we all partake now and then - I last had a burger from a fast food joint at christmas 2012 although it was not one of the plastic joints, like the ones with the arches. just look at the sugar content in their food and then ask the question.
I take the kids in once or twice a month and let them eat what they want and then watch them go hyper.......additives but they get a kick and they are not old enough to go partying so I suppose its ok (NOT)
personaly - give it a miss your arteries will thank you for it by allowing you a nice life free of things like heart disease angina etc etc
( sorry to rant, its over now )
Ill probably get flamed but hey c'est la vie!0 -
is that what you look like after the burrito challenge???
I think I will just die...being fast food and all :laugh:0 -
There is fast food and then there is fast food.
Are we talking Big Mac at McD's or Elevation Burger grass fed beef?
I don't think you can say "it's all bad" just like you cannot say all people are bad.0 -
I think the main issue with fast food (aside from the extra chemicals, unhealthy fats, etc) is that when you're filling up on Big Macs, you're not filling up on fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Calories and fats themselves are not bad for us. It's the type of calories and fats we're putting in our bodies that is. So if you're trying to stay within your calorie ranges while eating fast food burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, soft drinks, etc, you aren't getting all the foods that are so important in maintaining healthy organs.
These places exist because they are BIG moneymakers. In America, we're fed ingredients in our fast foods and prepackaged products that are banned in other countries. Google it (or check out this article: http://www.shape.com/blogs/shape-your-life/13-banned-foods-still-allowed-us). The UK has much stricter food laws that we have in America. In fact, they have the exact same foods (same type, same brands) but without the banned chemicals that are allowed in American foods. [end quote]
This!!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions