Fast Food

How often do you eat fast food? Each day, one in four Americans visit s a fast food restaurant. In 1972, we spent three billion dollars on fast food, and today, we spend over one hundred billion. McDonald's feed more than forty six million people a day, which is more than the population of Spain. It is no secret- most types of fast food are bad for you. In the past, fast food was considered a treat, something to enjoy on a date or a family night out, but nowadays, more people are relying on fast food for their meals. Americans already have diets that are too high in calories, fat, and sodium, and eating fast food only makes it worse. Most people are aware that fast food is not the healthiest food to eat, but it's popular because it is convenient, cheap, and for the most part, tastes pretty good. The cost factor is almost understandable, with the current state of our economy, people are having to tighten up on spending. Finding and affording healthy food is a challenge for lower income populations, so it is not surprising that the statistics released by the CDC showed that Mississippi, which is the poorest stat in the country, has the highest obesity rate, at 34.9%, but even low income is no excuse for filling our bodies with toxic chemicals. In 1990, there were no states with an obesity rate greater than 14%. Ten years later, twenty three states reported an obesity rate between 20% and 24%, and in 2010, thirty six states had an obesity rate of at least 25%, with twelve states rating beyond 30%. Their obesity puts these Americans at risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. The words "fast food" may make you think of burgers and fries, but these are not the only types of foods served at fast food restaurants. Every fast food chain has healthy and unhealthy choices, so try a salad or a grilled chicken breast instead of a Big Mac and you will be on your way to leading a healthier life style and reducing your risk of obesity and heart disease.