People should only eat real food. Look at the ingredients on what you're buying. There should only be one on the list, perhaps 2. If something is on the list that you don't know of or can't spell, put it back on the shelf. Look at the cereal you eat and see if the first ingredient is whole wheat flour. Is the second sugar? That's the worst thing. Then count the things that you've never heard of. You do not want to put those things in your body. We have enough things to worry about and don't need to also worry about what processed foods are doing to us. It will help if you stop shopping in the inside rows of the grocery store--only the outside space around the shelves. If everybody shopped like that we wouldn't have most of the things that plague our population-- diabetes, allergies that can be fatal, heart disease, and many other conditions we have to deal with. The entrance of fast food to our food sources at the time was good in many way, but when facts are revealed about whether it's good for us, we need to stop eating and think of what that means for our health and longevity. Just think before you put something in your mouth. Don't even get me going on drinks that our children start with even before kindergarten.
Really enjoyed this article! Also just wanted to say that I really appreciate that you’ve responded to almost every comment. Love the engagement with the author.
I grew up with a mom who limited our fast food & processed food intake. In my late 20s, I ate McDonald's fries or Reese PB cups & diet coke almost every day for lunch. In my early 30s, as a pharmaceutical rep, I read the book Sugarbusters and immediately cut a lot from my diet. I have always been thin, but mother nature takes over in your 50s and eating healthy foods in moderate portions becomes a critical part of maintaining overall good health. No longer do I have the luxury of being able to eat fast foods, even though I still love a chic fil a every now and then!
It’s great having tools today to help in that decision making process. Phone apps that allow you to scan barcodes that tell you what’s inside the products and how they can be bad for us based on scientific research.
Same as Rebekah Pass, Yuka. It’s allowed me to discover ingredients that mess with my gut so I know to avoid them in future. It’s by no means a be-and-end-all but it’s a good tool to have in your box.
Yuka is the app I’ve used in this vein! I do think you have to take their scores with a grain of salt occasionally, and look at their data for why they’re giving a food a specific score. Sometimes they score something low because of the amount of sodium, but that’s often not the part I’m worried about/the reason I’m scanning.
I am so skeptical now of where I eat out and will pay more for places that align with my choices. I ask myself "do I trust their food source?". I support ethical and sustainable small farms/ranches with my purchasing power.
I'm now making my own bread and have just started with growing my own potatoes. I cook about 80-90% of my own food. It's exhausting but I don't want my money going to corporations who couldn't give a rip about the health of our nation.
A couple of local places who make from scratch (even all the condiments 😊) they do not use seed oils and used organic ingredients. I don't eat out often so I'm ok with paying for quality.
I never thought about fast food or what I was eating until a few years ago. Looking back, I can't believe I the amount of processed sugars I would eat on a given day for lunch at school, or how much my family really ate fast food. I really enjoyed this article, but it also makes me so sad to think about how large these companies are. It feels a little bit like it would be impossible to truly shift this area of culture. From what I've seen, all of the cons of fast food are so long term and slow to show that everyone can easily ignore them in favor of the much more apparent pros (cheap, convenient, tasty, etc.). I probably fall into that trap more than I would like to admit. Overall, great article!
I listened to Fast Food Nation on my new Audible account back then (somehow it got removed from my library so I'd have to buy it again to relisten), and I remember being extremely motivated by the message. I had already gotten hooked on some more health-oriented boos in the 90s, but they never really took, and apparently this one was at least enough to get me opting out of fast food in general. I think in the past 25 years I have never gone to a "fast food" place or if I did it was for something very small like a drink or a salad? Unless you count "Fast Casual" which maybe you should, as this has taken over "Fast Food" in some segments. I feel like that was a rebranding for people who were more health-conscious, had more education and money to spend a bit more, albeit the food possibly being sourced a smidgeon more ethically. Perhaps significantly better for some vs. others, the problem is that they are extremely varied.
Back then it was also part of my general tilt away from processed junk, but was also captured by some of the same "just eat lots of meat from a farm you know isn't a factory farm and you'll be health" mentality. That's also a very privileged position to be in because even back then it was quite pricey compared to Costco fair. Even avoiding processed junk (but consuming large quantities of more locally grown meat) didn't help me escape from health issues, so eventually I had to switch to a completely whole foods diet sans meat, and feel like I've been pretty health over the last 7-10 years. It's not just fast food though, eat out at most restaurants (whether they are branded "fast casual" or full restaurants -especially chains) and you get the same factory-farmed meat and mass-produced other food items of various levels of processing. The best bet is to make things yourself from whole ingredients so you know exactly what's going into your food. But it seems like much of (at least urban) America these days have the time or attention/motivation to prep/cook more than a few meals a week?
I agree, the branding can change a lot of our perception. I remember when Trader Joe's came to south Florida when I was growing up and for years I thought I could eat anything from there b/c it was all super healthy. Obviously, that's not true, and I'm still not sure where that thinking originated. If I had to guess, though, it'd probably be the nice branding.
There’s another side to this story…read some of what Chris Arnade writes about McDonald’s, and let me know what you think. His key point? McDonald’s is one of the last places in many American towns and cities that anybody can get a meal, sit for a while, enjoy some local company, and relax. In fact, Chris’ approach to those towns matches yours - with a McDonald’s twist.
I hadn't heard of CA. Reading a piece now: "I’ve spent over a decade sitting in McDonald’s all over the United States—I believe I’ve visited over 500 franchises." Wow. Will look into him more, thanks for the rec. Have you read his book?
Stefano, I have - ‘Dignity’ is excellent. As Chris goes to all the places everybody says not to go, he engages with the people there and takes excellent photos. The title describes what he opines everybody seeks. He was the first person I know who identified that Trump was a viable candidate and to be taken seriously, because Chris went to those places and spoke and lived with the people. Often at McDonald’s.
People should only eat real food. Look at the ingredients on what you're buying. There should only be one on the list, perhaps 2. If something is on the list that you don't know of or can't spell, put it back on the shelf. Look at the cereal you eat and see if the first ingredient is whole wheat flour. Is the second sugar? That's the worst thing. Then count the things that you've never heard of. You do not want to put those things in your body. We have enough things to worry about and don't need to also worry about what processed foods are doing to us. It will help if you stop shopping in the inside rows of the grocery store--only the outside space around the shelves. If everybody shopped like that we wouldn't have most of the things that plague our population-- diabetes, allergies that can be fatal, heart disease, and many other conditions we have to deal with. The entrance of fast food to our food sources at the time was good in many way, but when facts are revealed about whether it's good for us, we need to stop eating and think of what that means for our health and longevity. Just think before you put something in your mouth. Don't even get me going on drinks that our children start with even before kindergarten.
Really enjoyed this article! Also just wanted to say that I really appreciate that you’ve responded to almost every comment. Love the engagement with the author.
Does Culver’s count as fast food?
I rarely eat ANY fast food. It is all crap and unhealthy. Just look around: so much obesity!
I grew up with a mom who limited our fast food & processed food intake. In my late 20s, I ate McDonald's fries or Reese PB cups & diet coke almost every day for lunch. In my early 30s, as a pharmaceutical rep, I read the book Sugarbusters and immediately cut a lot from my diet. I have always been thin, but mother nature takes over in your 50s and eating healthy foods in moderate portions becomes a critical part of maintaining overall good health. No longer do I have the luxury of being able to eat fast foods, even though I still love a chic fil a every now and then!
Oh I haven't heard of that book. I'll check it out. And Chick Fil A is also my vice whenever I visit home in Florida. Those fries....
It’s great having tools today to help in that decision making process. Phone apps that allow you to scan barcodes that tell you what’s inside the products and how they can be bad for us based on scientific research.
Good to know. Have one that you recommend?
Same as Rebekah Pass, Yuka. It’s allowed me to discover ingredients that mess with my gut so I know to avoid them in future. It’s by no means a be-and-end-all but it’s a good tool to have in your box.
Yuka is the app I’ve used in this vein! I do think you have to take their scores with a grain of salt occasionally, and look at their data for why they’re giving a food a specific score. Sometimes they score something low because of the amount of sodium, but that’s often not the part I’m worried about/the reason I’m scanning.
I think my friend uses this, actually. Sounds familiar!
Hey I'm famous! Maybe I'll celebrate with some McDonalds
I am so skeptical now of where I eat out and will pay more for places that align with my choices. I ask myself "do I trust their food source?". I support ethical and sustainable small farms/ranches with my purchasing power.
I'm now making my own bread and have just started with growing my own potatoes. I cook about 80-90% of my own food. It's exhausting but I don't want my money going to corporations who couldn't give a rip about the health of our nation.
Interesting. Would love to hear which places do align, for that 10% of time you don't cook
A couple of local places who make from scratch (even all the condiments 😊) they do not use seed oils and used organic ingredients. I don't eat out often so I'm ok with paying for quality.
I never thought about fast food or what I was eating until a few years ago. Looking back, I can't believe I the amount of processed sugars I would eat on a given day for lunch at school, or how much my family really ate fast food. I really enjoyed this article, but it also makes me so sad to think about how large these companies are. It feels a little bit like it would be impossible to truly shift this area of culture. From what I've seen, all of the cons of fast food are so long term and slow to show that everyone can easily ignore them in favor of the much more apparent pros (cheap, convenient, tasty, etc.). I probably fall into that trap more than I would like to admit. Overall, great article!
That's a good point, about how long it takes for these effects to show up. Thanks for reading!
Fast Food Nation did change my life; it led me to vegetarianism and then veganism and healthier eating overall.
Learning about how horribly the animals and workers are treated in the industry was eye opening. There’s no way to do the wrong thing the right way.
I listened to Fast Food Nation on my new Audible account back then (somehow it got removed from my library so I'd have to buy it again to relisten), and I remember being extremely motivated by the message. I had already gotten hooked on some more health-oriented boos in the 90s, but they never really took, and apparently this one was at least enough to get me opting out of fast food in general. I think in the past 25 years I have never gone to a "fast food" place or if I did it was for something very small like a drink or a salad? Unless you count "Fast Casual" which maybe you should, as this has taken over "Fast Food" in some segments. I feel like that was a rebranding for people who were more health-conscious, had more education and money to spend a bit more, albeit the food possibly being sourced a smidgeon more ethically. Perhaps significantly better for some vs. others, the problem is that they are extremely varied.
Back then it was also part of my general tilt away from processed junk, but was also captured by some of the same "just eat lots of meat from a farm you know isn't a factory farm and you'll be health" mentality. That's also a very privileged position to be in because even back then it was quite pricey compared to Costco fair. Even avoiding processed junk (but consuming large quantities of more locally grown meat) didn't help me escape from health issues, so eventually I had to switch to a completely whole foods diet sans meat, and feel like I've been pretty health over the last 7-10 years. It's not just fast food though, eat out at most restaurants (whether they are branded "fast casual" or full restaurants -especially chains) and you get the same factory-farmed meat and mass-produced other food items of various levels of processing. The best bet is to make things yourself from whole ingredients so you know exactly what's going into your food. But it seems like much of (at least urban) America these days have the time or attention/motivation to prep/cook more than a few meals a week?
I agree, the branding can change a lot of our perception. I remember when Trader Joe's came to south Florida when I was growing up and for years I thought I could eat anything from there b/c it was all super healthy. Obviously, that's not true, and I'm still not sure where that thinking originated. If I had to guess, though, it'd probably be the nice branding.
There’s another side to this story…read some of what Chris Arnade writes about McDonald’s, and let me know what you think. His key point? McDonald’s is one of the last places in many American towns and cities that anybody can get a meal, sit for a while, enjoy some local company, and relax. In fact, Chris’ approach to those towns matches yours - with a McDonald’s twist.
I hadn't heard of CA. Reading a piece now: "I’ve spent over a decade sitting in McDonald’s all over the United States—I believe I’ve visited over 500 franchises." Wow. Will look into him more, thanks for the rec. Have you read his book?
Stefano, I have - ‘Dignity’ is excellent. As Chris goes to all the places everybody says not to go, he engages with the people there and takes excellent photos. The title describes what he opines everybody seeks. He was the first person I know who identified that Trump was a viable candidate and to be taken seriously, because Chris went to those places and spoke and lived with the people. Often at McDonald’s.
We call fast food "emergency food" at our house meaning we don't go there except as a last resort.
As a kid, one Easter my family ended up at a Wendy's drive-thru at 11pm. I don't remember why or where or anything else, just that it happened. Haha.