Fast Food and Health

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When you eat 100 grams of processed and fried potato chips, you consume around 780 calories. A very simple statement indeed.

But you will be astonished to know that a man weighing 70 Kilos when runs for 1 hour at the speed of 5 mph, burns around 330 calories only.  Therefore, a person has to run for about 2.5 hours for neutralizing the intake of calories through the consumption of one pack of 100 gms.

And potato chips are nothing else but an item of fast/junk food menu.

Wikipedia has defined Fast food as “Food typically cooked in bulk and in advance and kept warm, or reheated to order. Many fast-food restaurants, (also known as "Quick Service Restaurants" or QSR) are part of restaurant chains or franchise operations, and standardized foodstuffs are shipped to each restaurant from central locations. There are also simpler fast-food outlets, such as stands or kiosks, which may or may not provide shelter or chairs for customers”

Just see the fact given below:

• A normal adult requires not more than 2,200 calories and less than sixty grams of fat in 24 hours.
• But if you eat a large serving of French fries in your meal, you will consume five hundred and forty calories, twenty six grams of fat and substantial quantity of sodium.
• Now have a soft drink with the above.
• Yes, you have taken almost half of calories required for the day and almost entire fat requirement – JUST IN ONE MEAL.

These days FAST FOOD is becoming more prevalent. The fast food is also known as JUNK FOOD. The name JUNK FOOD itself suggests that such food must be avoided as far as possible. Because such type of food have little nourishing values. Rather junk food is harmful to the health of the body as it doesn't contain much nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

World Health Organization says that a sixth of the world's population is overweight - most of it due to the over-consumption of fast food and lack of exercise Pizzas, Burgers, Potato Chips, Pasta, Noodles, Fried food, canned food/juices and cold drinks all constitute Fast/Junk food.

Junk food mainly harms digestive system which result into constipation and obesity. Constipation and obesity together are root cause of numerous diseases in the body which target vital organ of the body - such as heart, liver, kidneys and respiratory system.

Hypertension, blood pressure, diabetes and even cancer are a few of many diseases which can be caused by junk food if consumed regularly. These days SLOW FOOD movement is thriving in the world. SLOW FOOD is in opposition to FAST FOOD.

Fast Food is high in calories, low in nutrients and usually quick to prepare. It is usually prepared much before it is consumed and may contain chemicals to keep it preserved for a longer time.   

It is said “You are what you eat”. And if your are eating fast food regularly you are gaining chances of getting fat. Fatness, all of us know, entails many diseases by harming vital organs of the body.

Most of the items on a fast food menu are extremely high in fat, calories, cholesterol and sodium. All these elements body needs, but only in very limited quantities. So, many of the fast food items can be detrimental to our health.

All fast foods are not harmful 

Though generally most of the items on the fast menu are make unhealthy yet making selection makes much difference.

• Some fast food franchises and restaurants offer grilled chicken salads. These rank quite high in nutritive value and are low in calories.
• Similarly, use of ketchup or mustard as top off the burger is low in calories and fat than using high fat mayonnaise.
• Grilled or broiled foods available at the fast food franchises should be preferred over the fried food and you will reduce your calories and fat intake content to almost half.
• Diet Soda or mineral water should be preferred over French fries.
• You can eat burger without bun but if you must, take whole wheat bun. 
• Taking occasional a slice of pizza or a burger is not harmful but don’t make it a habit.