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Fast Foods in America

At the 2001 American Psychological Association annual convention, Dr. Kelly Brownell labeled America's fast food industry as a "toxic food environment," but since then, more and more people are realizing that fast food offers a lot of unhealthy, fatty, salty menu choices. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, and responding to the obesity crisis, some fast food restaurants are beginning to offer healthy, low-fat alternatives.

  1. The Fast Food Crisis

    • Fast food marketers have actually discovered a way to make fast food even less healthy. At some gas stations, you can make a fast food order while filling up your tank at the pump. In a few minutes, someone will bring the order to your car. Even the physical activity to walk into the store and pick up your food is eliminated. By offering dollar menus, easy access and super-sizing, the fast food industry in America may have led consumers down the road toward a health crisis of epic proportion.

    Worst Fast Foods

    • With a few exceptions, most fast food restaurants have quite a few unhealthy choices on their menu. For example, at one fast food restaurant, a single guacamole bacon burger contains 1,114 calories, 29 grams of saturated fat and 90% of sodium for an entire day. Add a large order of fries and the grand total come to almost 1,600 calories. Most people don't realize the amount of saturated fat, sodium, and other unhealthy ingredients contained in the fast food they eat every day.

    Healthiest Fast Foods

    • Some fast food restaurants have realized consumers are educating themselves about unhealthy foods and have started offering some healthier, low-calorie, low-sodium items on their menus. If you know what a fast food restaurant offers and you make yourself aware of the nutritional information for certain items, you can make better choices. More fast food restaurants offering healthy American, Mexican, Asian and Mediterranean food show up every day across the country.

    Future of Fast Foods

    • The oldest and most popular fast food restaurant chain in Sweden made the decision to serve low impact food that makes less of carbon footprint. Max Burger has recently provided details on its menus regarding carbon emission data and greenhouse gasses produced in bringing a product from its source to the consumer. It hopes to discourage meat consumption and encourage healthier food options. Menu items now include healthier, greener fast foods like veggie, soy and falafel burgers, which have a lower overall impact on the environment.

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