The world is changing. There are more fast-food restaurants than vegetable stalls. The world’s trends of fast-moving lives have made convenience foods a way of life for busy people. They are seen as a quick and cheaper alternative to cooking at home.
Fast foods cause a myriad of health problems. The ingredients are highly processed, high in sugar, salt, and fat, and are dangerous to consume daily. Among the many dangers of regular consumption of fast food include increased risk of obesity and heart and liver diseases that can permanently be detrimental to your health.
If you are trying to maintain your ideal weight and energy level, fast food should be marked red on your food list. Before eating that chicken piece, burger, sausage, french fries, or gulping down a bottle of soda, read these facts about fast foods. This article shares 3 facts about fast foods and also the health impacts of eating them in excess.
In This Article
3 Facts About Fast Foods You Should Know
#1 They are high in calories
Fast food products are often deep-fried and topped with cheese or mayonnaise, which adds extra calories without adding any nutrients. That’s why they are referred to as empty calories. Furthermore, most people tend to eat them with sodas and artificial juices high in sugar.
According to research, individuals who snack on fast foods consume 300 more calories than those who don’t. Furthermore, those who regularly consume fast foods have a 60 to 80% higher chance of being obese than those who eat it less than once a week.
#2 They are addictive
Fast food products are high in sugar and may have added food dye to make them more appealing, particularly to children. In addition, they are addictive and often irresistible. So, if you’ve been wondering why you can’t stop ordering burgers, fries, or Pizza, just know it’s by design. You’re supposed to love it so much that you can’t resist another bite.
#3 They cause obesity
According to the World Health Organization, obesity rates are soaring all over the world. The number of children with obesity has doubled, and that of obese teens has tripled. Fast foods are a vital contributor because they are high in calories and require significant exercise to burn the calories off.
Now, considering that most people rarely exercise, this is bound to worsen. Consuming high calories without exercise to burn extra calories often leads to additional health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
8 Health impacts of fast foods
1. Obesity
Fast foods have high levels of sugar and fat, which increase the daily caloric intake and contribute to increased weight gain. However, eating small amounts of fast food still increases the daily caloric intake considerably. The body is usually unable to shed the extra fat because of the cooking oils and preservatives used.
Therefore, to burn fat, you will need a significant amount of exercise. Moreover, people who eat fast foods tend to eat fewer fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Therefore, without a change in diet and regular physical exercise, the situation gets worse.
Also Read: How to Make Time for Exercise with a Busy Schedule (9 Easy Tips)
2. Liver damage
Liver damage can result from the prolonged consumption of fast foods. This is because the trans-fat is used as a stabilizer to make the pre-made foods sit for longer periods before consuming them.
Your body usually has a complex task to remove this fat from your body and can cause build-up in the liver and cause liver damage. The damage is similar to that resulting from the regular consumption of alcohol. If the problem persists, it may lead to liver failure.
3. Cardiovascular diseases
Regular consumption of fast foods can damage the cardiovascular system. These foods are high in sodium and cholesterol, which can clog the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. In addition, trans fats and saturated fats in the food clog arteries, increase cholesterol levels in the blood, and thus significantly raise the risk of heart disease.
Fries, sodas, and enriched meat products contain high sodium levels, which can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke over time. When your cardiovascular system is weakened, it is difficult to perform regular physical activities that will allow you to maintain your health.
Studies reveal that people who eat fast foods twice or thrice a week increase their risk of dying from heart disease by 50% while those who eat fast four or more times a week have an 80% risk of dying from heart disease.
4. Cancer
Chicken sold in most fast-food restaurants matures faster than free-range birds. As a result, it is fed antibiotics and growth hormones, which are passed on to those who consume the meat. This can lead to adverse health effects. Research has shown that some people develop extra breast tissue or develop problems with their immune system from eating fast food regularly.
Sausage is highly processed and contains saturated fats and nitrites (which are used to redden smokies and sausages). According to research, these have been reported to increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
5. Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is caused by poor health choices such as consuming high in sugar and fat foods, making people overweight and obese. Obesity is also a risk factor for diabetes because it causes insulin resistance, which, over time, develops into diabetes. Thus, obesity coupled with physical inactivity causes diabetes.
6. Peptic Ulcers
Consumption of fast foods can cause or worsen peptic ulcers because they are high in fat and salt. Most of them are also spicy. Common foods that cause peptic ulcers include Pizzas, French fries, and salted snacks. Moreover, soft drinks may worsen peptic ulcers.
7. Malnutrition
Fast foods lack essential nutrients and should not be considered as daily food choices for healthy living. A well-balanced food should contain all essential nutrients that are vital for human development. Fast foods may be deficient in essential nutrients and have other nutrients of very high content. This imbalance causes disorders in the body.
8. Stress
Fast foods have been reported to increase your stress level compared to someone who has consumed a low-fat meal. In addition, foods high in fat and drinks high in sugar act as powerful stimulants to the body and directly cause stress.
Because they contain synthetic additives like preservatives, stabilizers, thickeners, flavor enhancers, and emulsifiers, they are called “pseudo stressors” or “sympathomimetics.” There is no difference between drinks like coffee, tea, and chocolate, which contain caffeine and pose health risks to your body if consumed in high amounts.
Final Thoughts
Fast foods are high in sugar, salt, and fat and contribute to many diseases related to the heart, blood vessels, liver, and much more. So, choose today to limit your consumption of fast foods to safeguard your health. Instead, eat a variety of whole grains, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables as part of your regular diet. If you wish to get a personalized meal plan and learn how to control your cravings for fast foods, sign up for a one-on-one consultation today.
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