Introduction
Food choice habits have changed over time, which has impacted the food culture globally. Fast food globalization has facilitated the exportation of standardized culinary skills worldwide. This has been corrupting the host countries’ cultures by affecting the consumption of homemade foods and changing their eating habits. People no longer consume traditional dishes that they used to eat since fast food has provided a quicker option that costs them less in most instances. Traditional restaurants in many regions are staggering, while fast-food joints are fast-rising. Most indigenous foods take a long to grow compared to fast food ingredients; hence due to the rising population, people have moved further away from traditional foods and accepted fast foods as a cheaper and quicker alternative. Fast and processed foods should be ethically assessed based on the outcomes they provide and not on the moral obligations of the stakeholders to support a healthy environment. This essay explains the factors leading to the rising acceptance of fast food, its effects and benefits.
The busy work schedules have contributed to drastic changes in people’s eating habits, and the problem has been escalated by technology (Ngozika & Ifeanyi, 2018). Fast foods have replaced traditional foods since they are easy to make and eat as people are on the run trying to balance between careers, household chores, childcare, education and leisure. The break from homemade foods has affected health and family life as it involves changing food culture. Compared to traditional foods, fast foods are tastier hence attracting more consumers, especially children who do not understand the nutritional contents of various foods and their value. In smaller cities especially in developing countries, fast-foods are even sold in streets, where consumers can easily grab a share as they go about their errands.
The fast-food industry has led to health risks such as obesity (Bohlouli, et al., 2021), lack of important nutrients and deterioration of socialization in families since families come together when preparing and eating homemade foods. Fast foods increase the risk of obesity due to high amounts of sugar and calories involved. Obesity is a risk to people across all ages and cultures and it affects people’s health by increasing the risk for heart failure and limits the mobility of individuals. Fast foods also increase blood sugar since they contain high amounts of carbohydrates and sugars which are associated with health risks such as blood pressure and diabetes. Fast foods are not healthy to humans as they do not have essential nutrients needed for human development. The unbalanced nature of fast foods also leads to digestive issues and is also associated with cancer. Fast foods are also a danger to the teeth due to their high sugar content. The regular consumption of fast foods can therefore lead to an unhealthy population. Fast food consumption limits the socialization of families because people mostly eat as they walk or drive and rarely sit together to eat, as is the case with homemade meals.
The fast-food industry’s expansion is beneficial because it provides an accessible, cheap and time-saving alternative. A ready-made meal saves time for people with a busy schedules, unlike having to prepare a meal at home from scratch. Fast-food eateries are also available in big and upcoming cities, increasing accessibility for many consumers. Fast food provides a cheap alternative, especially for small households, compared to cooking traditional meals, which have become scarce and expensive. The ingredients of fast foods are specially formulated to achieve a unique taste and preserve freshness. This formulation is also designed to achieve quickness, saving energy required in cooking them. The consumer, therefore, affords them at a low cost. Due to their rich flavour, fast foods can increase the appetite of people with eating disorders who are on the verge of being severely underweight.
Conclusion
Most people are moving further away from their cultural foods, and consuming homemade foods is declining. The globalization of fast foods has influenced people to adopt foods different from their native ones. Due to busy schedules, people need more time to prepare homemade foods, especially when women are equally involved in the labour market. They, therefore, eat in restaurants or order food online to save time. The health risks associated with fast foods are a matter of concern and should be addressed to improve the health status of populations. Fast-food combinations are not nutritious and balanced as the focus is on the taste rather than the nutritional value. Fast and processed food should be evaluated by nutritional experts based on the consequences produced on the consumers, including their inability to uphold a healthy environment. To turn fast and processed foods into a healthier alternative, their nutritional value should be enhanced by ensuring that sugar and fat, which are primary fast foods, are controlled and a balanced meal is provided by increasing their vitamin content.
References
Bohlouli, J., Moravejolahkami, A. R., Ganjali Dashti, M., Balouch Zehi, Z., Hojjati Kermani, M. A., Borzoo-Isfahani, M., & Bahreini-Esfahani, N. (2021). COVID-19 and fast foods consumption: a review. International Journal of Food Properties, 24(1), 203-209.
Ngozika, E. B., & Ifeanyi, O. E. (2018). A review on fast foods and family lifestyle. Int J Curr Res Biol Med, 3(4), 26-30.
write