Did you say FRIES?

-Siddiqa Fatima

FAST FOOD OBSESSION -A Health Concern

Fast food obsession is a behavioral addiction that is marked by the constant urge or consumption of fried or processed food. Let's take a minute to define fast/junk food. Fast food refers to food that can be prepared and served quickly. Another type of food that can fall into the category of fast food is processed food. That’s any food that is boxed, canned, or frozen.

It can come from many places: sit-down restaurants, counter service, take-out, drive-thru, and delivery. Fast food is popular because the food is inexpensive, convenient, and tastes good. Pre-packaged snack food, chocolates, and packaged sweets, carbonated soft drinks, and fast food like pizza and burgers are all examples of junk food. Sounds tempting?

The Evolution

Even though these are the conditions that exist every day in the world of eating food it is still not a healthy way to eat. Years ago, long before fast food restaurants the typical restaurant then was a healthier place to eat. The menu included meals that were much more wholesome and healthier. Now granted all the food offered wasn’t always healthy but a lot healthier than the fast-food variety today. It seems that the typical meal in a fast-food restaurant is mostly fried food like hamburgers and French fries. The new trend in some restaurants does offer boiled or baked meats but most customers seem to want fried products mostly. What say?

Why so flavorful?

The fast-food products are usually high in salt, fats, and sugars. This usually means they taste better because what is added makes them more appealing to the customer's taste buds. While some restaurants report they are changing this concept somewhat to make their product healthier that is not always true.

The greatest concern we should have about fast food is that the industry is contributing to people becoming more obese. The general public needs to know how much they should be concerned about what they are eating. It’s alright to eat at a fast-food place on occasion but please don’t make too many visits.

No matter where we eat it’s still important to know what kind of food is harmful. Now everyone can be likely to indulge in this kind of food occasionally but make sure don’t do it often.

Enjoy your fry day

Bingeing on fast food during the weekend even when one is strict with diet, then maybe we are undoing all the good work. Relishing junk food over the weekend is as bad for gut health.

Especially the youth, they go to any food place be it a café, a mini restaurant or any bars and lounges. Posting on social media with food hashtags or putting up as their story the food or the ambiance has become a trend.

Fast food is often the default choice. Not only is it convenient and easy to grab, but it's also tasty and cheap. And fast-food joints also serve as great teenage hangout places.

ART OF SUBSTITUTION!

If you can get away with total substitution, nothing like it. Offer alternatives that do not compromise on taste, but are high on nutrition. After all, if your children can be sold on a food product, thanks to some clever advertising, you too can use the same communication skills to get your kids hooked onto home-made goodies!

IS THIS BAD?

There is no such thing as “bad” food, but there are some foods you should try not to have regularly. Eating too much over a long period can lead to issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and unwanted weight gain. It’s helpful to remember that with fast food, moderation is important. It's basically about the portion consumed, if eaten in moderate portions, then it is totally fine. After all, we are humans, and can enjoy favorite treats!!