Do you know that the simple foods sold on our streets can lead to serious health problems such as lack of energy, heart attack, or even cancer? As we know, fast foods have become part of the modern diet that not many people can do without on a daily basis. Approximately a quarter of Americans suffer either directly or indirectly from the health conditions emanating from fast foods consumption. Fast foods have become part of the daily lifestyle. We like them because they are readily available, cheap, and time-saving. In addition, fast foods are tasty and palatable, especially to the young people. Many of us have heard that fast food is not good, but we do not know the actual health hazards associated with it. Today, I will discuss the potential dangers of fast food. I will persuade you to stop eating fast food by revealing the constituent of the fast food and what they do in our bodies. I will also explain how we can prevent ourselves from the dangers associated with fast foods.
Fast food is not good for our health because it contains chemical flavors. This makes fast food extremely poor in nutrition. It is clear that we all take food in order to benefit from the nutritional value contained in the foods. Without this, our bodies continue lacking in necessary nutrients for healthy growth. The preservatives, which are harmful to our health, are usually added to make the food last longer (Schlosser 4). Many fast food components also lose their taste with time and have to be added flavors to enhance the taste. Research has reported that almost all junky foods are processed. The processing involves adding so much salt, flavors, sugars, and fats that make the food lose its nutritional value.
Fast food is also unhealthy because it contains too much fat and oil. The vast level of calories and fats makes the body unable to undertake proper digestion. The fats are accumulated in the body leading to numerous health problems. The fat problem may lead to serious conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and premature death (Smith 16). If nothing is done now, the future generation will have no health future. Some researchers have also associated fast foods with cancer. Although such studies have not been entirely justified, they indicate the risks and potential harm related to the consumption of fast foods (Jakle, & Keith 22).
The primary cause of the increased fast food consumption is the lack of regulation by the government and health care agencies. As we all know, no one is there checking the type of foods that we buy and how much of it we consume. Social awareness has been raised by social activists, educators, and health professionals (Alexander 15). However, the fact that no immediate adverse impact of fast foods is noted makes young people darlings of fast foods. Another cause of the problem is the busy schedule of the modern schooling system and the workplace. Time and money have become so important to workers and students that they even do not get time to prepare food from scratch. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to look for wealth forgetting the importance of their health.
We need to be more cautious and regulate the consumption of fast foods in order to balance our nutritional intakes. Natural food is the best solution that guarantees a healthy future for everyone. It is also important that everyone is educated about the dangers of fast foods and what needs to be done to solve the social problem (Watson 20). I would encourage everyone to ensure that they spread the message and make each person aware that we are shortening our lives by depending on the industrially processed foods. Going natural is always the best solution of making our bodies healthy and strong, especially in the young age.
Many fast foods are made of synthetic chemicals. The chemicals make it sweet and attractive to the consumer. However, we need to know that not all sweet things are healthy. As long as we prefer eating something that is appealing to our appetite, we should also consider consuming something that is appealing to our health. The best way is to ensure that we reduce our daily intake of fast foods as much as possible.
The government and the health department also have much to blame as far as the increased consumption of fast foods is concerned. The government should ensure that regulation is done to control fast food manufacturing (Smith 12). All the food processors must be licensed and be well trained. Likewise, the government must ensure that state quality controllers test all fast foods for nutritional elements that may lead to ill health. Any fast food dealer whose food has dietary factors beyond the recommended should have the business closed down. This way, we will be proud of a society that is healthy and with a brighter future.
On my part, I believe that I will contribute to the reduction of fast food intake by educating the public on its dangers. I hope that you will also note something of importance from my speech and pass it on to other people who may be still ignorant of the dangers of fast foods. I will also ensure that significantly reduce my intake of fast foods in order to act as a good example for the society.
In conclusion, I call upon everyone to take the fast food problem seriously and do all that is possible to reduce its intake. We need to care for the present and future generations by ensuring that we adopt a healthy lifestyle all the time. Fast food is improper to our health and should be avoided like a plague.
- Alexander, Devin. Fast Food Fix. Emmaus, Pa: Rodale, 2006. Print.
- Jakle, John A, and Keith A. Sculle. Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age.
- Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002. Print.
- Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Mariner Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print.
- Smith, Andrew F. Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press, 2006. Print.
- Smith, Andrew F. Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood, 2012. Print.
- Watson, Stephanie. Fast Food. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2008. Print.
