FAST FOOD

1. Fast food
Fast food is the term given to food that is prepared and served very quickly, first popularized in the
1950s in the United States. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered fast food,
typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients,
and served to the customer in a packaged form for take-out/take-away. Fast food restaurants are
traditionally separated by their ability to serve food via a drive-through. The term "fast food" was
recognized in a dictionary by Merriam–Webster in 1951.
Indian fast food
The fast food industry in India has evolved with the changing lifestyles of the young Indian
population. The sheer variety of gastronomic preferences across the regions, hereditary or
acquired, has brought about different modules across the country. It may take some time for the
local enterprise to mature to the level of international players in the field.
Many of the traditional dishes have been adapted to suit the emerging fast food outlets. The basic
adaptation is to decrease the processing and serving time. For example, the typical meal which
called for being served by an ever alert attendant is now offered as a Mini-Meal across the
counter. In its traditional version, a plate or a banana leaf was first laid down on the floor or table.
Several helpers then waited on the diner, doling out different dishes and refilling as they got over
in the plate.
Disadvantages of Fast Food
There are many disadvantages of fast food including potential heart, liver or
weight issues that can permanently damage your health. Doctors will often
recommend that their patients avoid fast food to maintain an ideal weight and
energy level.

2. Fast food products are often rumored to cause a
variety of health problems. Ingredients that are
artificial, high in sugar or fat are not meant to be
eaten on a regular basis. Consuming these
ingredients regularly can lead to health issues
including heart disease, diabetes and cancers.
Being aware of these effects is essential to
determining whether fast food is safe to include in
your diet, particularly if you suffer from heart or
digestive issues already.
Facts about Fast Food
1. More calories
Surveys estimate that snacking caused people to consume 300 additional calories than what they
normally would. The biggest contributor to this snacking culture is McDonalds, which provides
43 percent of junk food consumption in the United States alone.
2. Addicting ingredient
Extra sugar and food dye is put into fast food to make it more appealing, particularly to younger
viewers. Many believe that these addicting ingredients are contributing to the growing obesity
epidemic.
3. Soaring obesity
Over the past twenty years, the number of obese children has doubled and the number of obese
teens has tripled. As of 2004 it is estimated that nine million children between the ages of 6-18
are obese. A stunning 65 percent of American adults are overweight. This includes 127 million
overweight adults, approximately 60 million obese adults and 9 million considered morbidly
obese, or more than 100 pounds overweight.
Disadvantages of Fast Food
Fast food is often filled with ingredients such as soya, salt, cheese or mayonnaise and is often
deep fried, which adds a lot of extra calories without adding any additional nutrition. Given the
high amount of calories, it will take a significant amount of exercise to burn off the calories you
take in. For example, it would take 7 hours of exercise to burn off the calories in a large Coke,
fries and a Big Mac from McDonalds. Consuming this high level of calories without burning
them off can lead to additional health issues.

3. 1. Obesity
The high levels of sugar and fat in fast food can lead to an increased risk of obesity. It has been
shown that those who live close to fast food restaurants have a much higher tendency to be obese.
The cooking oils and preservatives used to maintain fast food products make it difficult for your
body to shed fat, making hard to shed the extra calories even if you attempt to up your activity
level.
2. Liver damage
Though it is not as frequently discussed, liver damage is a significant risk associated with
consuming fast food. Junk food is often filled with trans-fat, an artificial fat that is used as a
stabilizer so premade foods can sit for long periods of time before they are consumed. As your
body works to remove this fat from your system it can build up in the liver and cause damage.
This is very similar to the damage which is caused by regularly consuming alcohol. If this is not
kept in check it can lead to liver failure.
3. Cardiovascular diseases
Regularly consuming fast food that is high in sodium and cholesterol can cause damage to the
cardiovascular system. Cholesterol can clog the arteries, increasing the risk of having a heart
attack or stroke. High levels of sodium from fries, sodas or enriched meat products will increase
your blood pressure, which can also increase the risk of heart attack or stroke over time. As your
cardiovascular system is weakened it can be difficult to perform physical activities that will allow
you to maintain your health.
4. Impact on the environment
In addition to the medical disadvantages associated with fast food, the production and selling of
junk food puts a significant negative impact on the environment. The amount of resources
necessary to raise the meat for fast food products creates a shortage of resources around the
world. For example, every pound of hamburger we consume takes 2500 gallons of water and 16
pounds of grain to produce, say nothing of the land needed to raise the cattle and the grains to
feed them. The animals raised to make fast food meat products are often fed antibiotics and a
poor diet that causes the animals to be underdeveloped. These antibiotics and growth hormones
can be passed on to those who consume the meat afterward, leading to negative health effects.
Some have reported growing extra breast tissue or developing damage to the immune system
from eating fast food on a regular basis.