Junk Food Is Better Than Fast Food Essay

So is going through the drive thru of your favorite fast food restaurant really cheaper than making a meal at home for your family? In today’s time it has become more relevant to get what is more convenient and cheapest regarding to food. People are less concerned with the health benefits, whether that means going by McDonalds for dinner than making a home cooked meal or eating junk food than a healthy alternative snack. People are doing what seems to be the most convenient and inexpensive route, but the problem is that Americans lack knowledge regarding junk food and real food which is interfering with their health. High amounts of processed foods are being consumed by Americans because they are tight budgeted and don’t have the time to cook

Americans use this statement to validate going out to eat rather than cooking. Bittman argues that this statement is used to explain the reasoning of why people are overweight, particularly in lower income families (660). The reality is that it is not cheaper to buy fast food or junk food, but actually cheaper to cook a home cooked meal. It could cost around 28 dollars to feed a family of four at McDonalds, while it can cost around 14 dollars to cook a meal at home and even low as 9 dollars (Bittman660). Excuses of junk food being cheaper is not relevant, it is the lack of time wanting to spend and the way society and the body is programmed. “The core problem is that cooking is defined as work, and fast food is both a pleasure and crutch” (Bittman 661). They rather do what is easier and more comfortable for them. Instead of justifying the bad habit, individuals should make a conscious attempt in making meals. Planning meals ahead of time and intentional putting time forward to do this for their

On the extreme side of having a healthier lifestyle there is a locavore system. This system means that you confine your food to a 100 mile radius (Pelletier703). In “The Locavore’s Dilemma” by Christophe Pelletier, he disagrees with movement, he believes that the carbon footprint is more important rather than the distance. Pelletier also recognizes the struggle of busy tight budgeted families when deciding their food decisions. Therefore, the support of this movement is more of the wealthier population. People who are able to spend considerable amounts on only local. Pelletier believes that eating only locally produced is not necessary to live a healthy lifestyle. While it may not a hundred percent necessary, locally grown food are fresher and more nutritious to your body. I agree with Pelletier that limiting your food to 100 mile is unrealistic. On the other hand, eating locally is beneficially, while it may not be cost efficient, it is valuable to your health. Simply switching one or two food items to locally grown can make an impact. The differences between Bittman and Pelletier regarding this is that buying for real food versus buying food locally grown, which of course is the healthier option but not needed. Americans should not have to go extreme measures to have healthy lifestyle, locally or not. Simply cooking healthy meals at home rather than eating out will increase their