Happy Brain, Dying Body: Fast Food and Obesity

Happy Brain🧠, Dying Body😞: Fast Food and Obesity

A Blog on Nutrition

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Not for cookie? 🤔

    I'm sure we've all woken up frequently with an insatiable appetite, and not for vegetables or heart healthy foods. The only thing that could really hit the spot is fast food. And even then, after going off to a Wendy's drive-thru and enjoying your meal, your appetite was not satiated. This effect isn't necessarily because you are hungry. Eating fast food releases chemicals like dopamine and serotonin in the brain that make you feel good, a pleasure that is hard to match in your daily life. It is for this very reason that you tend to want more and more after deciding to eat out or indulging in some greasy snacks. Giving in to these cravings can lead to obesity, a very common eating disorder in the United States that cause often fatal health issues such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. The weight in Obese adults and children can even come to put pressure on the major joints, causing osteoarthritis where cartilage and bone breaks down. 

    Its addictive properties, comparable to nicotine in smoking, are not the only thing that makes fast food, rich in carbohydrates, salt, and fat, so appealing. Fast food is distinctly accessible. Consumers get to skip cooking, washing the dishes, and cleaning the kitchen, when going out to eat. All they have to do is get in their car or walk towards the nearest restaurant. While arguably perfect for lazy days, when made a habit, it can become dangerous. One shouldn't be fooled by the misleading "healthy" options in chain fast food menu's, according to David Zinczenko in the article "Don't Blame the Eater". They list the calories of a salad, for example, without the added extras that it includes, such as dressing and nuts, that significantly increases the total calorie intake by more than triple the amount. Companies do this as a marketing tactic to trick the consumer into believing there are less calories in a serving. Mislabeling or the lack thereof can also pose as an issue, where consumers do not know what they are putting into their bodies, consequently neglecting the dietary repercussions. 

    Another misconception of eating fast food that commonly leads to obesity in the states is that it is cheaper than buying food at a supermarket and cooking at home. A can of beans costs a dollar at your local supermarket. Mix that with some rice and you've got yourself a quick and affordable meal, not to mention healthy.

Let's examine this visual for a moment taken from Grist.org :

Yes. You read right. Not only can you cut the amount of carbs, unhealthy fats, and calories consumed & increase the nutrients ingested, but you can also save a significant money along the way. Who wouldn't want that? 

    As simple as it may seem, there is always a choice; a way to avoid leading an unhealthy life style. Although not easy, effort, consistency, and self-control paves the path to obtaining a strong body and long lifespan. 

Until the next,
Adriana