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In the article, “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko discusses the damaging effects of fast-food restaurants on the young population. He uses factual evidence about the increase in Type 2 diabetes rates in children and adolescents who are obese. Zinczenko provides a refreshing and unique standpoint on the issue; most people blame consumers for choosing to eat fast food. He explains that it is not the fault of people for eating fast food, but it is the responsibility of fast-food restaurants to provide healthy alternatives and accurate nutrition information.
Zinczenko argues that because of the availability of fast-food restaurants in major American cities, childhood obesity has significantly increased. He explains that “according to the
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National Institutes of Health, Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood cases of diabetes in this country” (Zinczenko 196). He also presents statistics about the sharp increase in funding for diabetes treatment. This information is crucial to his argument because it makes his argument more credible. Without evidence to solidify his claims, his essay would appear more opinionated and less convincing. A particularly important point that Zinczenko discusses is the blame that is placed on consumers, rather than fast-food industries.
He acknowledges that many people may argue that consumers need to have the willpower to avoid unhealthy food. He refutes this argument by asking, “where, exactly, are consumers -- particularly teenagers -- supposed to find alternatives? Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you'll see one of our country's more than 13,000 McDonald's restaurants” (Zinczenko 196). He explains that fast-food restaurants are more available than restaurants or markets that serve healthy foods. Consumers cannot be expected to avoid restaurants that are available and convenient when acceptable alternatives are scarce. This article is somewhat dated, and restaurants have become more willing to provide healthier alternatives. For example, Chick-fil-A is planning to implement a new menu item that is a healthier substitute for french fries. “The new so-called superfood side features hand-chopped kale and broccolini tossed in a maple vinaigrette dressing” (Peterson 1). They will provide accurate nutrition information for the new side dish, and the company suggests “pairing the side with an eight-count order of grilled nuggets for a healthy 280-calorie meal” (Peterson 1). This addition shows that as time progresses, fast-food restaurants are pressured to incorporate healthy meal choices on their menus. Although Zinczenko’s point that there is a lack of …show more content…
healthy alternatives is accurate, restaurants are beginning to offer lower-calorie menu items for health-conscious customers. Zinczenko also claims that in addition to the lack of alternatives, there are significant discrepancies when it comes to the nutrition information in fast-food restaurants.
For example, he states, “there are no calorie information charts on fast-food packaging, the way there are on grocery items,” and there are many companies that do not include detailed nutrition information (Zinczenko 196). This claim is certainly legitimate; however, restaurants have begun to provide calorie information on their products. The Food and Drug Administration now requires “chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to begin posting calorie information on their menus” (Aubrey 1). Even though the products may not be healthier, providing correct nutrition information is certainly helpful for consumers to make more informed
decisions. In his article, Zinczenko conveys that there is a severe need for healthy alternatives to fast food. It is not always the consumer’s fault for resorting to restaurants that are quick and easy. Restaurants need to be more accountable for the overall health of the food that they are producing. Healthy menu options and correct nutritional information are crucial to the wellbeing of Americans. If each fast-food restaurant can provide at least one healthy menu item, diabetes and obesity rates can be dramatically decreased, making the country a better place.
In discussions of Zinczenko, one controversial issue has been whether we should blame fast food restaurant on obesity. On the one hand, Zinczenko argues that we should blame the fast food restaurant, for their lack of warning labels. My own view is that they both play a big part , yes fast food should label their foods nonetheless consumers should know to control themselves and not buy extra-large drinks and just sit on the
He begins by saying that while it may seem easy to avoid fast food and eat relatively balanced meals, it is easier to fall victim to than you may assume, based on life circumstances. His mother, for example, had custody of him after his parent’s divorce and was too busy working to provide for him to have time to shop for and prepare healthy meals. “Advertisements don 't carry warning labels the way tobacco ads do. Prepared foods aren 't covered under Food and Drug Administration labeling laws. Some fast-food purveyors will provide calorie information on request, but even that can be hard to understand.” is an example Zinczenko gives that even though consumers often times know fast food is bad for your body, but not to the full magnitude. These companies find loopholes to justify projecting calorie/content information that is either insufficient or perplexing enough that you would be forced to go to great lengths to uncover exactly how many calories are actually in your meal. Another one of his main points is the lack of alternative options. With a McDonalds on every corner and a busy schedule, it is almost inevitable to choose a drive thru burger rather than going into a grocery store to buy something you then later have to go through the trouble of preparing, especially for
Throughout the United States many American’s go through and eat at fast food places such as, McDonalds, Burger King, and Jack ‘n the Box. Mainly unaware of the amount of weight one can gain if consuming it on a daily bases or even two times week, can cause health issues, diabetes and possibly obesity. This was the main premise for writer Dave Zinczenko essay Don’t Blame the Eater, who makes an argument that many people are becoming obese and diabetic because of the fast food they eat. He asks a regarding his concern; Shouldn 't we know better than to eat two meals a day in fast-food restaurants?, As a way to engage the general public, like parents and teenagers, he expresses his argument through his own experience when he was a teenager eating at fast food places and information on the fast food industry in regards to how many calories are in the food.
He begins his argument by commenting about kids suing McDonald’s for “making them fat” (Zinczenko 462). Zinczenko ponders the absurdity of this claim considering how food choices are based on personal responsibility. However, he then considers the overwhelming availability ratio of fast food to fresh food while sympathizing he was once obese himself (Zinczenko 462). Zinczenko uses the primary argument that fast food companies are deceiving consumers with misleading advertisement, hidden nutrition facts, and calorie risks. He believes companies are encouraging the public to eat their unhealthy foods by omitting alarming information and levying “good” deals. In consequence, fast food companies are increasing the chances of obesity and diabetes in consumers by stimulating poor eating
Zinczenko explains, “Where are consumers supposed to find alternatives? Drive down any thoroughfare in America, and I guarantee you’ll see one of our country’s more than 13,000 McDonald’s restaurants.” He continues, “Now, drive back up the block and try to find someplace to buy a grapefruit.” (Zinczenko 463). What’s the chances of finding a fruit stand rather than a fast food restaurant? In addition, consumers are not being informed on what exactly they are taking in. There are no calorie charts posted on the food, nor are there warning labels connected to it. Thus, the purchaser is becoming unhealthy and eventually obese. Zinczenko stated fast food restaurants, “Would do well to protect themselves, and their consumers, by providing the nutrition information people need to make informed choices about their products.” Furthermore, without warnings, there will consequently be a higher number of ill and obese
Zinczenko shares his personal story about how fast-food restaurants such as Taco Bell and McDonald’s led to a weight problem during his high-school years. He claims that the ease of accessibility and lack of healthy alternatives make it all too easy to fall into the cycle of unhealthy eating. Zinczenko also contends that the lack of nutrition labels on fast-food products leaves the consumer in the dark about what he or she is actually consuming. At the time Zinczenko wrote his article, fast-food restaurants were not willingly disclosing nutritional values of their products. Today this has changed. Fast-food companies, including McDonald’s, have put the full nutritional information of their products directly on the packaging and wrappers. All other fast-food establishments either post it on the menu board (Panera), offer easy access to pamphlets containing all nutritional information of their menu in store, or have it easily accessible online (Taco Bell, KFC). I am sure that this is a helpful step forward toward educating the public as to what they are consuming, but has this new knowledge to consumers had a dramatic change toward ending obesity? No. People have always known that eating a Big Mac and fries with the giant soft drinks that McDonald’s and other chains offer is not healthy; putting the nutritional labels on these items has done little to nothing to stop people from eating these high-calorie meals. This again leads back to the point that people as consumers need to be more accountable to themselves and stop blaming others for what they willingly choose to put in their
Zinczenko argues that fast-food companies ultimately hold responsibility for the growing problem of obesity and type 2 diabetes among the country. Due to the inexpensive prices, indefinite locations, and the deprivation of nutritional labeling. In Zinczenko’s view, “Before 1994, diabetes in children was generally caused by a genetic disorder- only about 5 percent of childhood cases were obesity-related, or type 2, diabetes. Today, according to the National Institute of Health, type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 30 percent of
After reading your article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” I must say that I completely agree with your stance on how the fast food business is making Americans obese but also how it is our personal responsibility to try and stay away from it. You did a great job of making your stance on how people need to prioritize and eat healthy although the process is difficult known throughout the entire essay. I also enjoyed your personal story about your relationship with fast food making your essay relatable, the lack of knowledge we have on fast food as a nation, the health risks that can occur, and how all companies care about is the money they take from us. Within this letter, I am writing to you an analysis of the rhetorical appeals you used to back up your thoughts, your tone of voice, the way you brought the reader in with your witty choice of words and how extraordinarily you were able to persuade me as a reader.
Many people in America love to get greasy, high calorie fast food from many places such as McDonalds and its competitors, but in the article “Don’t Blame the Eater” by David Zinczenko, he reveals the health problems associated with these fatty, salty meals. His articles are affective with its well organized layout, rhetorical appeals and tone which give it a very convincing argument. As you read through the article the author reveals the underlying problems with eating fast food and how there are no warnings of such problems posted. As a former obese child who grew up to diet and watch what he ate he sets a credible stance for the argument.
However, when creating fast food restaurants, the industries were not thinking about the negative effects such as obesity. Other than obesity, other harmful effects exist as well. Fast food restaurants serve unhealthy products such as greasy foods and artificial meat that lead to dietary health issues in many adults and children. A recent study showed that “Young children who are fed processed, nutrient-poor foods are likely to become unhealthy teenagers, and eventually unhealthy adults. Now twenty-three percent of teens in the U.S. are pre-diabetic or diabetic, 22% have high or borderline high LDL cholesterol levels, and 14% have hypertension or prehypertension”
Best selling author of Eat This, Not That, David Zinczenko’s article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” blames the fast food industry for the growing rate of obesity in the United States. Zinczenko’s main idea is that fast food companies should have warning labels on all the food they supply. Zinczenko believes that since health labels are put on tobacco and preserved food product, fast food industries should put labels on today’s fast food. Discussions about the availability of fast food compared to healthier alternative were brought up as well. Zinczenko states that when looked at, a salad from a fast food restaurant could add up to half of someone’s daily calories (155). He believes that because of fast food, Americans are having more health risks, which includes an insane rise in diabetes. Some agree with Zinczenko saying fast food companies should be the ones responsible to show people the truth about their foods. On the other hand Radley Balko, a columnist for FoxNews.com, states that fast-food consumption ...
We make personal choices about what and where to eat. The government is not going to eliminate the unhealthy food because we think it is the cause of obesity. Ultimately, we must decide to either stay away from unhealthy food or eat them in moderation. Despite all the efforts of education, media and guidance it doesn’t prevent us from grabbing that cheeseburger with fries on the way to work. In his essay “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Radley Balko argues that society should take full responsi...
“Don’t Blame the Eater” is an article by David Zinczenko that explains to Americans, specifically overweight young Americans, about the risks eating at fast food restaurants and its cause of affecting one’s health. In his article, he tries to address the issue about America’s food industries by using literal devices such as tone, logos, ethos, diction, and organization in order to spread his message. He begins his article by addressing the topic and as he continues writing, he supports his topic by writing about personal experience and moves onto the reasons why his topic in a serious issue. Although he shows an overall clear progress, he does tend to have a few problems with his writing that could be improved.
For consumers who take their health into consideration when eating, calorie postings on menus will greatly impact their decision when making a food selection. (Diets in Review) The Food and Drug Administration has finalized menu labeling rules that will require calorie information to be listed on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants. The rules can also apply to vending machines and similar retail food establishments. Alarmingly, Americans eat and drink almost one –third of their calories away from their residence. If calorie information is given directly to consumers at restaurants, a huge change could be made in the lives of many Americans, by simply choosing to eat healthier. The menu labeling rule will apply to chain restaurants that
Another point of reason I would like to argue about is fast-food restaurants are everywhere and it is difficult for one to find any alternatives. I would also like to ask of the consumers to look at it from another view. There are many choices available to consumers each day some can do harm, while othe...