Fast Food in America

862 Words2 Pages

Jean is a first time visitor to the United States. As he was getting dressed this morning, he became excited to try McDonald’s new “Egg White Delight McMuffin” that came on a television commercial. Upon opening the packaging he finds a soggy, rubbery sandwich unlike the juicy, wholesome sandwich he saw earlier this morning. He recognizes everybody else enjoying food that looks nothing how it should, and begins to wonder why.
America is a place where fast pace, convenience, and cheap products and services are accepted and even loved. As of April 20th, 2012, “in America, there were 160,000 fast food restaurants serving 50 million customers a day.” (“Fast Food Statistics”). It is the perfect alternative to snagging a delicious meal to avoid the burden of cooking dinner for one’s family. Although nutritional value and the quality of the food are in the back of American’s mind, it is not a large enough concern for people to unify, complain, and take action. Many studies show that fast food especially in large amounts can be harmful to the body. Behind the great tastes and bright lights of fast food, there are many facts and risks that are hidden from the American people.
Never mind the actual substance, mega fast food chains spend billions of dollars a year in advertising. Fast food is advertised in a manner where it is geared mostly toward children. CBS News reports, “Last year, children ages 6 to 11 saw 26 percent more ads for McDonald's than they did just two years earlier.” (Ben Tracy) Bright colors, catchy tunes, and the presentation of the perfect meal are advertising tactics used in commercials. Free toy giveaways for children, promises of the possibility to win a large lump of money, a free meal after a certain amount of purcha...

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...ue personally. From as small as boycotting the restaurants and encouraging others to do the same, to bringing lawsuits to these mega food chains. No matter the method, every voice counts and eventually America will be a healthier place to live.

Works Cited

"Fast Food Statistics." Statistic Brain RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

"Frequent Fast Food Meals Increase Weight, Diabetes Risk, Study Says, December 30, 2004 Press Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Dec. 2004. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.

MBD. "Hamburger Chef Jamie Oliver Proves McDonald’s Burgers “Unfit for Human Consumption”." Politicalblindspoot.com. 2013 Political Blind Spot, 3 Aug. 2013. Web. 6 Dec. 13.

Tracy, Ben. "Fast Food Restaurants Not Fighting Child Obesity." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.

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