Spotlight on Fast Food

This blog is about fast food and all of the ugly truths that go under the radar. Research is shared about the way fast food effects the body and the lifestyles of those who consume it.

[ryleysmiththings-blog]

Did You Know Instant Ramen Noodles Were This Bad For You?

[itstaishabell-blog]

This article might make you reconsider purchasing those inexpensive foods next time you’re at the grocery store.  Just because a food is cheap, and easy to make, doesn’t mean you always have to eat it.  Make sure to watch the video as well. #NUTR351

This is very interesting and the way I see it is like the researcher said things are fine in moderation. However, when consumed frequently due to "cheapness" it could result in worse health issues down the road which come with a hefty bill.

[stephydyer92-deactivated2015010]

Instead telling all about the negative food additives, I thought I would share some of the health benefits of spices that can be added to your everyday foods.

Cardamon - anti tumor and remove toxins, use it coffee or chai drinks

Cayenne- weight loss and improved circulation, use it in tacos,…

[childhoodobesity351]

and the best part is that they add so much flavor while doing the body so much good!!

[itstaishabell-blog]

I love everything about using holistic ways to enhance our bodies and be healthier, plus it's so simple!

[childhoodobesity351]

I have lately seen on popular websites that kids in school have been tweeting pictures of their school lunches with a hashtag of #thanksmichelleobama.

check it out

https://twitter.com/hashtag/thanksmichelleobama

These high schoolers are pointing fingers at Michelle Obama saying that her...

[itstaishabell-blog]

I am not super familiar with Michelle Obamas take on school lunches in the US but I fully agree with you in terms of she is not the one preparing the foods! Kids can't be pointing fingers at her for trying to help them live better and healthier lives.

[itstaishabell-blog]

Future Choices

When considering all of my opinions towards fast food I think a lot about my childhood and the foods I was served. I was not raised eating unhealthy by any means but I did consume fast food frequently. Today I do not crave fast food much, but I do have a sweet tooth and I wonder sometimes if that is from having dairy queen, or whatever sweet treat I wanted as a kid. The way I look at it is that the body does not naturally crave this processed food that we are presented with all the time, so what if I did not provide it to my future kids? Would they still crave it or would the cravings be less than the average consumer? Some people would say this is limiting a kid from a part of childhood however I do not see that point if it jeopardizes their future health, also when it is easy to make healthy treats taste good. I think it is important to educate all of these generations that see fast food as a normal commodity when in fact it is not natural for any of us. 

This article isn't so much about the commercial "fast food" but the foods that allow you to eat fast and provide little nutrition. 

Below is an article of a mother with the same view as me:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=5_foods_i_never_feed_my_children

[itstaishabell-blog]

Weight Reductions

In my eyes when I think of "fast food" I think of convenience and all of the foods we have love hate relationships with: candy, soda, desserts, fast food chains, etc. I found an article that broke down the caloric intakes of a few of these different foods and how eliminating them could have such a large impact. 

12 oz. can of cola=140 calories=8,400 calories/month

1 lb of body fat=3,500 calories, so in one month one would lose 2.4 lbs by replacing soda with 2 glasses of water

A regular portion of fries bought from a fast food restaurant provides 350 calories and 18 g of fat.

Exchanging two portions of fries with a side salad twice a week would reduce caloric intake by 600 calories. This would add up to 9 oz-10 oz of fat loss per month.

These are only two examples from the article, the others can be found listed on the website!:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/359114-how-much-weight-can-you-lose-not-drinking-sodas-or-eating-junk-food/

[catnutr351]

Low calorie is really just the secret code for low energy. Our bodies are extremely complex vessels that are capable of recognizing when it needs more nutrients. When your caloric intake isn’t meeting the needs of your resting metabolic rate (about 1,200 for women and 1,800 for men), it starts to...

[itstaishabell-blog]

This is crazy information, it really puts dieting and necessary precautions into aspect when you see it wrote out for you!

[jcharlton11]

I was searching the Internet to find positive articles on dietary/nutritional supplements and it seems that they just don’t exist! It’s interesting to think that supplements can take up aisles in stores, but according to the Internet it is a waste of money and can in fact impede on your health....

[itstaishabell-blog]

I feel like it is the same way that potato chips and high caloric foods are still on the shelves. Granted the health situation of consuming each is different. The consumer will do what they please and if they feel like supplements are going to make them healthier in any way based off of advertisements, from celebrities in many cases, they will consume it in replacement of a plate of vegetables because it is the quick and easy way!

[itstaishabell-blog]

What would happen?

While thinking of what to write about for this blog post, I started to think about what would happen if all of the access to fast food was shut down. What would the public do? Would children sent to middle and high school go without food for the day because their parents would not "have time" make them a sack lunch? Would obesity rates go down quickly or would other health risks come about from malnutrition. It is a bizarre idea to think about because everyone in the world is adapted to the simplicity of driving up to a window and there is food ready for them. To think about people HAVING to prepare ahead of time to cook is both a good yet alarming thought, in terms of children. The sudden shut down of fast food would have a serious impact on the nation and other areas of the world and it is a very compelling idea to think about.

Would you feel comfortable or would you feel anxious?? 

[jcharlton11]

I read an article about nutritional supplements by the Mayo Clinic. It discussed how not everyone needs to be taking nutrition supplements. The article emphasized how most of your nutritional needs should be met through your diet, but in some cases people can benefit from nutrition supplements…

[catnutr351]

I’m always stressing to people that everything their body needs should come from their diet! as a vegetarian though, I do struggle with getting everything I need. but it’s all about balance and just being aware of what you’re putting into your body! looking forward to reading everything you discover

[itstaishabell-blog]

This is so true in terms of newly experimenting vegans I feel. I think some may be mislead on what they are doing to their bodies and may not try and consume the foods the essential nutrients, but instead just take a lot of supplements. This leads to fatigue and inability to focus at some times. Everyone should research the foods highest in the nutrients they are lacking from withdrawing animal based foods and if they still are not consuming the %DV they should look into supplementation!

[itstaishabell-blog]

Scary Fast Food Finding

My search to find fast food under the microscope only came up with the McDonalds chicken nugget under one, which I feel most of us have probably heard of or seen by now. There are "mysterious" fibers, red blobs (thought to be an additive to make it look more like the color of chicken), no similar structure to actual chicken under the microscope, and green spots in areas of the nugget that are thought to possibly be algae. 

In another microscopic look the composition of the McDonald's chicken nugget was a jumbled compilation of blood vessels, fat, and cartilage and not a lot of actual chicken meat. The nutritional composition was 56 % fat, 26 % carbs, and 19 % protein.

Granted studies like this are hard to believe on the internet and hard to know if they are coming to reliable sources, however, the microscopic breakdown of the chicken nugget (link posted) is of the famous chicken nugget and it is compared to a real slice of meat and there is not a single resemblance. The man does take it to an extreme acting like the chicken nugget was sent from space, but the point is there. Regardless, chicken does not come off of the bird in deep fried, bite sized pieces. They are processed and saturated in fats, so avoid them and eat real food!

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2013/09/03/mike-adams-puts-chicken-mcnuggets-under-the-microscope-hilarity-ensues/

[akoukov]

Bozeman Farmer's Market - Bogert Part

The Bozeman farmer’s market has been an event that has happened every Tuesday during the growing season for over forty years! It is located in Bogert park and is covered, so you can purchase your local vegetables, artisan crafts, great food, and listen to local music every week rain, or shine. Most of the Gallatin Valley’s small farms are represented at this event and I can guarantee that this is the  place in the valley to get the best tasting produce that you have ever tasted! There are some seriously talented food growers around here. 

Read More

[itstaishabell-blog]

One of the best parts of farmer's markets is you can get organic produce for lower prices than in the grocery stores! I wish more people would recognize that and eliminate the excuse that eating healthy is too expensive.

[itstaishabell-blog]

Price Excuse

The common research that I found while writing my first annotated bibliography was that fast food targeted lower income populations. I was searching for a picture to post to tumblr I came across an interesting article that is full of examples of how people prioritize their expenditures. The article is full of pictures like the one I posted and it is an eyeopener to think about why people really eat fast food. Is it because it is so "cheap" or is it because they are too lazy to prepare their own foods? To read the article view: http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=what_20_will_buy_at_the_drivethru_and_at_the_supermarket