The not so great fast food debate

Since Ray Kroc turned the McDonalds brothers invention into one of the most well known corporations on earth. Fast food has become part of the fabric of not just America but our idealogoy as well. We are all so busy, look at us on cell phones texting, checking stock quotes. Americans need a meal that works with them.

Anyone who saw the documentary "Super Size Me" can atest that doctors recommend you eat fast food no more than twice a month. On a side note because of that documentary I have not eaten fast food myself in roughly 4 years. The health ramifications of a fast food diet have been tied to Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and the list goes on. A friend of mine is the head cardiologist at a top, top hospital in the US. He told me that doctors in his group have a term for bypass surgery, its called "The Golden Arches." The reasoning is when they open the arteries it forms an "M" shape and inside is the solidified golden fats and waste. Disturbing, right?

Studies at the University of Minnesota have shown that over a 15 year period people who eat fast food more than twice a week gained 10 pounds per year compared to their counterparts who did not eat fast food at all. The idea here is to be careful what you consume. Did you know that high fructose corn syrup that is used in dozens of products including soda is illegal in Japan for being to dangerous. A substance that we consume pounds of per year.

If you must eat at a fast food restaurant stick with the smaller portions, ask for the sandwiches without things like mayo and although the salads might be tasteless after the dressing has been added it may contain more calories than a "Big Mac." There really isn't much of a great fast food debate.