Fast food and slow food, vastly different competitors, combat daily in an uneven competition for consumer favouritism influenced by convenience, value for money, and variety, along with nutritional benefits. This essay will explore factors influencing convenience, monetary value, variety, and nutritional benefits, guiding these worthy competitors to the pinnacle position of consumerism. Moreover, this essay will explore whether the competition between fast and slow food product is fought on a level playing field.
Fast food offers greater convenience, monetary value, and variety when compared to slow food. Firstly, convenience: Fast food is readily consumable as an alternative to a freshly cooked meal. However, convenience in food products cannot be obtained without copious amounts of additives designed to deliver the illusion of freshness. Therefore, foods produced with convenience in mind is detrimental to consumer health, due to processed, chemically enhanced ingredients, giving the impression the affordable, pre-prepared consumable is a healthy somewhat nutritious meal.
Secondly, fast food offers greater perceived monetary value in comparison with slow food products. Fast food, prepared with inexpensive chemical enhancers, gives marketers the advantage of low production costs, and consumers the illusion of monetary value. Additives including artificial colours, flavours, and sweeteners enhance the taste and presentation of food giving the illusion of freshness mimicking flavours, and tastes of fresh products. Furthermore, Preservatives such as Benzoate (BHT, BHA, and TBHQ), Sodium Nitrite, and Nitrate used to preserve colour and flavours, and hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated shortening creates an appealing cost effec...
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...portation. However, when considering food miles, bear in mind, transportation of goods only account for 4% of emissions. The main share of emissions tallied as ‘food miles’ actually stems from the production process (CHOICE 2008). Therefore, reducing purchases of fast food for an increase in local, seasonal slow food purchases eases personal and environmental cost.
In conclusion, competition between fast and slow food is very real; daily rivalry for consumer favouritism consists of many factors, including convenience, monetary value, variety, health benefits, and lifestyle. However, the competition between fast and slow food is not decided by these factors alone, rather requiring the addition of influences, including quality, freshness, and a return of a slower traditional lifestyle, not dependent on convenient consumerism, only then will the competition be fair.
There has been withstanding controversy about whether fast food is easier on the pocket than eating home-cooked meals. Take McDonald’s for instance, they’re notorious for their convenient and affordable dollar and value menus. Since you can get a burger for just $1.19, feeding a family of four should be inexpensive right? Mark Bittman, author of “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?” argues otherwise. He claims that fast food is not at all cheaper than buying a few groceries and cooking at home. He expresses the different myths about fast food like how it is supposedly cheaper than real food when measured by the calorie, the mentality of people that if it isn’t fast food, it has to be costly organic food, and that there just isn’t enough time to cook at home. These myths followed by genuine factors such as addictions and a cultural impact, help Bittman prove his argument’s validity across to his audience. I have to say that Bittman proved his argument’s effectiveness, for he clearly stated his thesis and provided various reliable
Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson’s Chew On This explores the dark secrets of fast food. The authors first describe the background of fast food and their tactics with customers, and then elaborate on the impact of fast food on society today. Their view on fast food is a negative one: through describing various aspects of fast food, the authors ultimately reveal how the greediness of businessmen has caused the loss of individuality and the growth in power of corporations. They explain the effects of fast food on health, traditions, and animals, clearly showing fast food’s negative impact.
In today’s society Americans want everything quick and cheap, so the question stands what is a quick lunch and what is available for an economical price? Americans live in a world that surrounds us with fast food restaurants. Two of the most well known restaurants for fast food restaurants is McDonald 's and Checkers. Far from what we imagined, McDonald 's and Checkers have huge differences. Most people perceive them just as the same fast food restaurant with different names. For this reason, they create debates on which one of them is the superior restaurant and which one is the more economical price. Though neither of these companies provides the healthiest foods for Americans the question stands, which one is for lunch today? Even though,
One of the first arguments that are made in the article by the author is that we, as a society feel that fast food is cheaper vs going to a local supermarket and making a home cooked meal.
Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve eaten at a fast food restaurant before. Maybe the tables were sticky, or chicken was suspiciously white, but the fries tasted great, so I’d overlook the less enjoyable aspects of my experience. After reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, I understand that isn’t an option anymore. In ways both big and small, the fast food industry exerts a ridiculous amount of power over the American consumer, and it’s imperative that this be understood, should any impactful changes be made. As it stands now, the fast food industry is in dire need of reform, as it poses innumerable health and societal risks to the country and the world.
This concedes that now America is creating health issues from consuming unhealthy foods. According to, “The battle against fast food beings in the home”, by Daniel Weintraub, “Kids eat unhealthy food and sit in front of the television or computer for hours at a time”. The article states that now obesity has affected many kids in America. Due to obesity affecting many kids in America the argument here is that, parents are not thinking about their child’s health and how it affects their body. Their main worry if the food is cheap and that it’s reasonable to buy for their family; which is understandable. Thus, many kids health are in danger from the lack of a nutritious diet. At the same time, fast food companies believe that it’s not their fault. According to Daniels Weintraub’s article, it states that “ It’s the parents, not the government, not the fast food companies who are responsible for teaching kids unhealthy habits” (Weintraub 1). The argument here is that parents need to try to feed their kids much healthier diets such as vegetables. Feeding them fast food is going to wreck their health. For this reason, fast food companies should try to sell healthier food for a reasonable price. Having produce companies sell more affordable fruits and vegetables will clear this problem. This will allow people who don’t have much money be able to provide a healthy dish
McDonalds promotes the construct of “healthiness” as a justification as to why a consumer should purchase their food. This article introduces an interesting viewpoint that despite these claims of “healthiness” or even the inclusion of low calorie options does not ensure that the consumer will not overconsume their food. I will use this source to expand the findings in "Nutritional Quality at Eight U.S. Fast-Food Chains 14-Year Trends” which argues that despite the addition of “healthy” options at fast food restaurants, the overall nutritional quality of the menu remained poor. An analysis of these two sources will be used to help answer my research questions: what consists of healthy food in the McDonalds “Questions” campaign and what are the implications of this definition of healthy food? I will use these sources to support the significance of my claim. Specifically, I will use Downs as evidence for my claim that despite marketing campaigns aimed at redefining McDonald’s as a healthy option, the definition of healthy food that these commercials promote is too limited and ultimately attempts to conform to new definitions of healthy food without actually changing their
Food is an important aspect of one’s life. There are various options and places to consume food. Nowadays fast food is caused certain leads to various issues for certain individuals. There is healthy food, unhealthy food, frozen food, and lastly microwaved food. I was once in a stage in my life where I had two years after the age of twelve to make a choice to eat healthier and stop eating processed food. Or else I would’ve been six feet under by now. In discussions these authors David Zinczenko, Tod Marks, and Mark Bittman, have one controversial issue that has been about fast food. On the one hand, Zinczenko argues fast food should warn consumers exactly what they’re consuming. On the other hand, Mark and Bittman contend that fast food companies should be left alone and consumers should adapt and make the choice.
Fast food can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol. Fast food is mass-produced; and provides a convenient food source, but what about nutrients? Many more would agree that the health benefits of a vegetarian diet might substantially reduce health risks. When considering other food related health options, “The Slow Food Movement” encompasses several different aspects regarding the fast food industry and sustainability of food production that applies a cohort mentality. This group of food advocates agrees that, “the Slow Food Movement rejects the notion of compromising nourishment for economic and health related outcomes.” (McCarthy 206) The groups form cohorts of growers, farmers, consumers, and educators to discuss viable options for food production, for sale and for consumption on an international level. McWilliams suggests another way to influence ethical eating: “Unitarian Universalists developed a system of ethically sound practices for production and consumption,” (405) Ethical eating involves the greenhouse effect and leaves behind an ecological footprint. An insightful look at marketing, production, and economy are all related to the ethical standards of eating, which impacts human beings from a global
Consumption habits are very important factors for international marketing strategy for fast food chains. Culture is also involved in here again, though these days’ customers are always looking forward to something new in the service and products. Then again, taste of customers is changing as they are transforming towards dining in if the image of fast food is not healthy. Health conscious customer are quick to abandon fast food, they find the fast food very harmful for lungs, heart and blood conditions.
The demand of processed and fast food has increased throughout the years. Businesses have revolutionized menus into large quantities. The public has influenced a greater demand for oversized drinks and meals. Oversized sugary drinks have caused much controversy and in response many states have banned the enlarged drinks. Many unhealthy products such as fried food have left consumers craving and yearning for more. Fast food companies have targeted high school and college students by offering affordable meals to those who do not have time to prepare food or the financial support to purchase groceries. Jane E. Brody, author of Attac...
Which all provide either ready to eat food, or it will be ready really quick, hence the name “fast food”. The process they use to make the food is very efficient, so efficient it makes you question if the food is really food. All the food is processed, all made in a factory somewhere, using god knows what kind of ingredients, then frozen and shipped to all the restaurants over America. People say that Americans are becoming addicted to it, or are addicted with the efficiency of it. Being able to stop quick, get fast food and go on about their day with minimal time loss. Why not right? Why wouldn't you save your time, by simply grabbing some fast food? Being that it’s so efficient, there’s no way that it’s going to have the same health value as a home cooked meal. Most of these meals are high in fat, calories, and sodium; this is because they are prepared in factories with little regard for dietary
First, fast food and home-cooked meals differ in the time. The people choose fast food because they do not have time to prepare a proper meal and it can be prepared very quickly. Jekanowski, Binkley, and Eales (2001) claimed that fast food outlets’ main sales point is convenience. The fast food companies open a lot of branches in the different area so that the customers just need a few minutes to buy a set of fast food even it is complete with a drink.
It's quick, it's convenient, it's delicious! Fast food is the most popular quick-service nourishment. It plays an important role in the lives of humans so perfectly laid out for ourselves. Why try cooking when you can get food at a much faster rate? For most people, fast food is the answer to all of our problems.
Burgers, fries, hot dogs, fried chicken and a nice icy milkshake on the side all under 10 dollars! You may be thinking “wow! what a bargain” or something like “all that for only 10 dollars or under?” Of course, when americans hear or see advertisements like that they will head right to the nearest fast food restaurant and order them a nice filling meal. Ever think something is wrong there? Maybe the reason the price is so low, is because the quality is very cheap and bad. Over the years fast food’s quality has gone down hill very much. What if I could tell you after you read this paper you may never purchase fast food again?