Studenti:David Denisa-Manuela Stancu Andreea Ximena

Fast-food: benefits and health risks

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History of Fast-Food Benefits of Fast-Food Fast-Food Health Risks How to eat healthy on Fast-Food References

History The concept of fast food is

generally associated with urban development. However, research reveals that the trend has its roots in the bread-and-wine stands in ancient Rome and the popular ready-to-eat noodle shops in many East Asian cities. All through the ancient and medieval world, flat-bread, falafel and other heat-and-serve meals were popular attractions at roadside stands.

What Are the Benefits of Fast Foods?

Fast Foods Are

Convenient

It seems like you can find

fast food restaurants on

nearly every street corner,

and going to a drive-through

or using home-delivery

makes going to a fast food

restaurant appealing. Fast

food restaurants enable you

to consume ready-to-eat,

fresh, portion-controlled

foods. If you want to eat

healthy food but don't want

to prepare it at home, you

can order something healthy

from a fast food restaurant.

Fast Food Restaurants Offer Various Choices A wide assortment of fast

food styles lets you experience foods from various cultures so that you don't need to spend exorbitant amounts of money at full-service restaurants. Fast food restaurants that offer burgers, chicken and sandwiches are plentiful, but

fast-food restaurants that offer Chinese, Italian, Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes also are plentiful.

Fast Food Restaurants Cost Less The low cost of a fast food meal compared to a

meal at a sit-down restaurant can help you stay within your budget. Home cooking, though, enables you to serve healthier, less expensive meals. If you want to eat healthy foods on a budget, purchase foods such as tuna, peanut butter, dried beans, brown rice, whole pasta and seasonal produce. These nutritious items are relatively inexpensive.

Fast Food Restaurants Have Calorie Counts The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

of 2010 requires chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menu boards. You can use this information to make low-calorie decisions when you eat fast food. Restaurants that have fewer than 20 locations, such as small, family-owned establishments, do not need to provide nutritional information. When you don't have access to calorie counts, you may be more likely to eat more calories than you had intended.

Fast Food Health Risks

Food is fuel for your body and has a direct impact on how you feel as well as on your overall health. Fast food refers to food that can be served quickly. In many cases, that means food that is highly processed and contains large amounts of carbohydrates, added sugar, unhealthy fats, and salt (sodium). These foods generally contain a high number of calories but offer little or no nutritional value.

How to eat healthy on Fast-Food Read the nutrition pamphlet. If there are

certain fast food chains you tend to patronize, visit their websites for nutritional information. Determine what they have to offer that's more nutritious and lower in calories than other items on the menu.

Read the ingredients list. The only way to make sure you aren't eating any trans fat is to scan the ingredients list for any hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, and avoid eating food items which contain them.

Plan ahead. Most major fast food chains have websites, and most now offer the nutrition information on-line. Select your meal and tally the calories before heading to the restaurant.

Choose grilled chicken instead. Fried chicken contains a lot more calories and fat.

Ask for extra veggie toppings on your sandwich. Extra tomato, lettuce, and onion will add more vitamins, fiber, and flavor to the sandwich and only add a few calories. This can help turn a small burger into something more substantial.

Substitute a healthier side dish for fries. Some fast food chains allow this. For example, a small garden side salad with low calorie dressing or fresh apple slices. Choose these more often.

Have water with your meal. Ask for water (sparkling, if it's available, and you won't miss the bubbles). At the very least, drink a diet soda to avoid the calories. If you have a sip between every bite, you'll also slow down your eating time.

References

1. Old McDonald’s Factory Farm: The Myth of the Traditional Farm and the Shocking Truth About Animal Suffering in Today's Agribusiness by C. David Coats and Michael W. Fox

2. The Fast Food Craze: Wreaking Havoc on Our Bodies and Our Animals by Tina Volpe

3. http://www.healthline.com

4. https://ro.wikipedia.org