Fast food is a type of food that is prepared and served quickly for immediate consumption. It is often high in calories, salt, sugar, and saturated or trans fats, and can negatively impact health in both the short- and long-term. Fast food restaurants typically use standardized ingredients and partially prepared foods to reduce operating costs and facilitate order fulfillment. Here are some details on fast food products:
Positive:
- Fast food is readily available on the go and is typically less expensive than eating in a traditional sit-down restaurant.
- Some fast food chains are beginning to incorporate healthier alternatives in their menu, such as white meat, snack wraps, salads, and fresh fruit.
Negative:
- Fast food often contains toxic additives, preservatives, and chemicals that could be harmful to health.
- Many fast food items contain processed foods, which have been modified from their natural state for safety or convenience. Processed foods tend to have multiple additives to keep them fresher longer.
- Fast food is typically high in sugar, salt, and saturated or trans fats, which can cause a range of short-term impacts when a person eats fast food, such as a spike in blood sugar and blood pressure.
- Overeating commercial fast food products can negatively impact health in both the short- and long-term.
Ingredients or materials:
- Fast food products can contain a wide range of ingredients, ranging from the commonplace (water) to the exotic (xanthan gum) .
- Some of the most common fast food ingredients are citric acid, xanthan gum, and caramel color.
- Fast food products can contain toxic additives, preservatives, and chemicals such as propylene glycol, phosphate additives, and propyl gallate.
- Fast food products are often high in salt, sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, calories, and processed preservatives and ingredients.
