The True Cost of Fast Food

The healthiest fast food chain to date, according to Healthline blogger Adda Bjarnadottir, is Chipotle.  Not only does Chipotle offer a variety of tacos and burritos, but the company also makes efforts to use only organic and local indredients with meats from naturally raised animals.  Their menu offers healthy foods such as salads, meats, veggies, rice, beans, and guacamole.  However, for the cost of a week's worth of Chipotle burritos, a person could easily shop for and create numerous other dishes with the ingredients if they purchase it themselves at their local market.  There are countless alternatives to heading to the local drive-thru, and many of these alternatives can be found online. Photo Source: AHU Online WebMD suggests stocking up on the following foods to prepare yourself for making food for the week without having to rush to the drive-thru:     - Whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, and prepared pizza crust     - Milk, eggs, canned tuna, canned beans, peanut butter,

 Fast food may look appealing and healthy, but the reality is that most of these foods are high in sugar, salt, saturated fats and trans fats, processed preservatives, and calories while they're low in antioxidants, fiber, and many other necessary nutrients, according to Medical News Today.  Even though many fast food chains have a new focus on creating healthier menu options, this doesn't refrain from the fact that fast food items on popular chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Arby's, and Burger King all consist of preservatives that lack the daily nutrients humans need to keep a consistently healthy diet. Photo source: Closer Magazine A diet high in salt can increase a person's blood pressure, which also increases their chances of having a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or heart disease (FDA).  In addition to this, a study by the journal Appetite  suggests that there's a link between a diet high in saturated fats and simple carbohydrates, which are

There have been many documentaries and studies done on the effects of fast food on the human body.  A study by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that the average American child saw more than 1,000 fast food ads in 2012, with McDonald's rating supreme. Photo source: Statista While these statistics may not be surprising to those who are familiar with American television advertisements and modern social media ads (YouTube, Hulu, etc.), it doesn't undermine the fact that fast food is a concerning part of many American's daily lives. A 2010 infographic created by the National Federation of Professional Trainers concluded that 80% of people eat junk food on a daily basis and 1 in every 5 children in the world are overweight or obese.  Not only does this effect the chances of the child living out a healthy childhood filled with energy and adventure, but it also increases their risk of being obese as an adult. Photo source: NFPT While some changes are being mad