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Fast Food and Obesity

Is there a link between fast food and obesity? Fast food can be quick and easy, but depending on the choices you make, it may not be so great for your waistline!

We’ve all been there. Either pressed for time and need to grab a quick bite before work or need to refuel between work and evening activities of driving kids around. Or it is possible that your job requires you to travel throughout the day in your car. There are many possible reasons that you may feel inclined to stop off for a quick bite, or even easier, hit the drive thru! But trust me, and the numbers, think twice before you make your choice. Fast food and obesity are commonly linked together.

Let’s not forget that fast food is usually relatively inexpensive. So if looking to save money, you can get a burger for less than $2.00!

Not a bad deal, right? Fast food can be great for your wallet, not so great for your arteries and waistline. I have many memories as a child of my uncle bringing me for a happy meal every time my family went to visit. Or going as a “treat” for doing well in school or sports. Fast food restaurants draw kids in even more with play rooms and exciting birthday parties. This sends the message to kids early on that fast food is tasty and fun. Probably not the best message to be sending considering the rise in childhood obesity and the link between fast food and obesity. It may be inevitable that a fast food restaurant is in the future, so let the focus be on making healthier choices. Here are some tips to avoid fast food and obesity.

  • Beware of salads! Yes salads would seem like a sensible choice to make compared to a burger but, it depends what is on the salad. A McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad with Crispy Chicken has 450 calories and 21 grams of fat. Pair that with the Southwest salad dressing and that’s another 100 calories. A total of 550 calories! Surprisingly if you pick a hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, or even a quarter pounder with cheese, it will have fewer calories than that salad. This is not to say that you should skip the salad with all the fruits and veggies, just pick a healthier salad.

  • Opt for grilled chicken instead of anything that says crispy or fried (the same goes for sandwiches).

  • Salad extra's.If having salad dressing, put it on the side, and dip your fork in the dressing instead of pouring the dressing on top of the salad. This small change can save many calories. Be careful of creamy dressings. A Caesar salad may seem perfectly fine, but one packet of Caesar dressing can contain 190 calories! That’s more than half of a hamburger!

  • Cluck, cluck! Chicken strips may sound like a healthy option, but 5 pieces of chicken select premium breast strips will cost you 670 calories! If you are craving any kind of chicken nuggets, go with the four piece chicken nugget, that’s 170 calories instead.

  • Dessert drinks.Shakes can definitely add more of you to shake when you walk. A triple thick shake will be a quick 1100 calories! I don’t know about you, but if your consuming about 2,000 calories for your recommended daily intake, that’s more than half of your food for the day!

  • Drinks. To wash that all down, go for the diet option instead of regular soda. This can save you over 200 calories. Even better, drink water as an alternative.

    • If you know you’re going to get fast food, check their websites. Most restaurants have the nutrition information listed, so you can make a healthy choice before you step through their doors. If you can’t find it online, ask for the information when you get there. By now, most restaurants are aware of the concern for fast food and obesity. They have been making a commendable effort to offer healthier options such as fruit for kid’s meals. Don’t be embarrassed as an adult to order a kid’s meal to control the portion sizes.

    If you are in the car all day and travel a lot, plan ahead. Bring pre-cut fruit, healthy nuts such as almonds, or a granola bar with a good amount of fiber to tide you over until you can have a healthy well rounded meal.

    Remember that most foods in moderation can be okay. Try not to make fast food a habit. Just from experience, fast food can give me a quick jolt of fuel, but it usually makes me feel gross, sluggish, tired, and sometimes even causes chest pain a short time after eating. It may be your answer in the short term, but should not be for the long term.

    *Calorie information was taken from the nutrition section of the McDonald’s website.


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