I’ve never really been a fan of McDonalds, but after I read a fantastic book this weekend called ‘Fast Food Nation’, I think I’ve sworn off eating fast food ever again!!
Fast Food Nation describes how fast food restaurants have changed the face of America (and increasingly the rest of the world). From 1970 to 2001 the amount of money spent on fast food in America increased from $6 billion dollars to $110 billion dollars. Every day in America, 1 out of every 4 people visits a fast food restaurant. Unbelievable!!
It’s not surprising that obesity is such a huge problem – it is the biggest health threat in America: about 65.2% of adults in America are overweight and 30.5% are obese.
What shocked me most was what actually goes into the food. McDonald’s customers can always rely on their Big Mac to taste the same where ever they are in the world. McDonalds use this as a selling point, but I have always thought it a bit disturbing that I can eat a Big Mac in Tokyo and it tastes exactly the same as one in Thailand, Brazil or England.
The reason is because the taste isn’t from the ingredients like beef, lettuce or tomato. The food is processed so much that most of the flavour is lost. The taste mainly comes from man-made chemicals added to the food. Strawberry milk shakes might taste like strawberries, but the strawberry taste actually comes from 49 different chemicals, not the real thing!
What do McDonald’s french fries and hamburgers have in common? They both contain beef flavouring!!!
The taste of a French fry is mainly due to the cooking oil. In the past, McDonalds used beef fat to cook their fries (which meant they had more beef fat per ounce than a hamburger….and were definitely not vegetarian!!) However, after people complained about the amount of saturated fat, they decided to use vegetable oil instead. To keep the popular taste though, they added beef fat chemical flavouring to the fries…mmmmm! Would you like some beef fat chemically flavoured fries with your burger? Maybe not!
It’s really difficult for most people not to eat fast food at least occasionally, because it’s so cheap and convenient. Especially in today’s world where people work so hard and don’t have time to cook. I think it’s worth reading this book though, so you know exactly what you’re eating next time you’re tempted to visit a fast food restaurant!!
If the English version seems too daunting, there is a Japanese translation available instead!
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Definitions
Food for thought – This expression describes something which makes you think, eg. ‘The book I read gave me lots of food for thought’
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/food+for+thought
Fan – to be a fan of something means to like it very much, eg. ‘I’m a big fan of The Beatles’.
Sworn off – to have quit doing something/say that you will never do something again
Change the face of – change the appearance/character of something, usually in a big way
Increase – to make bigger/greater
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/increased
Obesity – The condition of being obese (very fat)
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/increased
Obese/Overweight – to be overweight means to weigh more than what is considered normal. To be obese is bigger than being overweight, and obesity is considered to be a medical condition/problem.
Goes into – is added to/put in
Processed – Changed using special procedures
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/processed
Have in common – shared characteristic
Saturated fat – the bad kind of fat in food!
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/saturated%20fat
Tempted – to be attracted to
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tempted
Daunting – appears too difficult/scary to do
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/daunting
English Version
Japanese Version
April 16, 2007 at 8:51 am
Well… although I’ve known McDonalds is unhealthy, I’ve never heard that the each taste comes from the combination of many chemicals!!! That means everytime we eat Mc stuff, we poison ourselves?!
Anyway, your definitions are helpful to read the articles!
April 16, 2007 at 9:04 am
well…Although I’ve known fast food is unhealthy, I’ve never heard McDonalds uses many kinds of chemicals to make flavor!
When I eat humbergers and vanilla shakes, I rather enjoy their flavor, not knowing they’re all man-made chemical stuff!!!
anyway, I should order only tea or other harmless one!
April 19, 2007 at 1:53 pm
i have seen this book on the shelves at bookshop, but thought that this is one of antiglovalization books, which discourage me to read because Economics scares me. but it sounds interesting, leading me to think how about other stuff i eat out everyday.
If argument of this book is correct, is Mcdonalds just an unscrupulous restaurant? or does it represent our far wider and more disturbing lifestyle?
still, i am not sure if i keep my craving for French flies at bay, even though i read this book. i love French flies! (talk about silly!)
April 26, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I’m reading this book “fast food nation” in Japanese. i’m worried about my sons. cause they really like Mac ,fried potatoes and chikens. Mac makes worse our health and economics. i was getting sick as ive read it. they are cafty. so i want to kick them.(-_-)/~~~ピシー!ピシー!