Fast Food

A fast food restaurant is on every corner, but is actually good for you? Fast food became popular in the early 1900’s but it didn’t just take off. Fast food has made quite a journey in its development opening opportunities along the way. It has its advantages and disadvantages but being aware of them is very important. Fast food has made a huge impact on our nation’s health and economy. How was fast food developed? Burgers made at fairs, carnivals, and events were known as low quality. It took America a while to warm up to the idea of fast food. Many people mistakenly assume McDonalds was the first fast food chain but it was not. In the 18th century the convenience of eating away from home was becoming popular. As a result, White Castle was the first chain beginning in Wichita, Kansas. To make the idea of eating away from home more appealing they built their restaurants to show the customers the food being prepared. White Castle’s reputation for well-cooked burgers spread nationwide, making it easier for other fast food restaurants to move in. The McDonald brothers opened their redesigned restaurant in 1948. Soon after, Taco Bell and Burger King opened in the 1950’s and Wendy’s in 1969. Even though McDonalds is the name of fast food it has made a bad reputation in other countries because of its exaggerated marketing to children and unhealthy ingredients. Obviously, it took time for the United States to begin trusting fast food. Fast food can be hurtful to our bodies and the environment. The effects impact both children and adults. Within the food, the lack of some nutrients like Vitamin B and Omega 3 Fatty-Acids causes a person to become unhappy. This unhappiness leads to further problems like depression. Another major problem is the fatty foods sold in fast food restaurants cause a higher risk for Alzheimer’s. In 2009 the University of Berkley did a study that stated that the closer you live to fast food the higher the risk of problems with