Today, more than one third of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity is currently an increasing problem in our country. More and more people are becoming dependent on fast food to give them their daily meals in place of home cooked meals. Home cooked meals are ultimately a lot better for your money and your health. Of course people have their reasons for choosing fast food instead of quick, cheap and simple; three reasons why people choose fast food over making a meal at home.
In today’s society, people choose the easy choice versus the healthy choice. Think about it: you’re a busy teenager or parent, and you have had a long day at work or school and you want to eat before you go to sleep. Would you choose to stop at a McDonald’s or Wendy’s to get a burger and fries on the way home or would you choose to go home and cook a meal? My guess is that most people would choose the quicker way out and eat from a fast food restaurant instead of taking the time to prepare dinner.
Fast food is not only is fast food quicker than cooking at home but common belief is that it is also cheaper. Is it actually cheaper than going to the grocery store and buying ingredients for a home cooked meal? The answer is no. Many of us choose fast food restaurants thinking that they’re cheaper than making a meal at home. The truth is that if you buy ingredients for a meal for your family that last the whole week, it is most likely going to be a lot cheaper than buying everyone a combo at the nearest McDonald’s or Wendy’s every night for a week. Think about it, for the average family of four, eating a meal at Wendy’s could cost up to. For instance, if both children got a Kid’s Meal for about $3.49 each and both parents each bought a half-size salad and a small drink all for about $10.96 the total would be around $15. The same family could easily go to a grocery store and buy a pound of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, chicken breast, and water for no more than $10. If the family stayed at home and enjoyed a healthy salad with chicken breast, they’d save a lot more money daily than eating out every night. At the moment the value menu might seem like the cheaper way out but it all adds up eventually.
In addition to the belief that fast food is cheaper and quicker, many Americans would rather have their meals made for them versus cooking for themselves. Fast food is simple; choose what you want, order it, wait for it and then eat. Yes, there is a lot more work involved in cooking but it’s ultimately worth it. Most Americans believe that a homemade meal requires too much time and effort.
When you cook you’re essentially “closer” to your meal, you know what grocery store it came from, and you can read the label to find out more. When you eat fast food the most you know about the meat from the burger that you’re eating is what restaurant it is from. My point is that you know more about what you’re putting into your body when you spend the extra time and effort to create your own meals versus buying them at fast food restaurants. Thinking about our food can simply create a more “health conscious society”. Everyone should know what they are putting into their bodies. A quick thought about what you’re consuming before you consume it might change your decision the next time that you stop at McDonald’s for dinner.
In today’s society, people choose the easy choice versus the healthy choice. Think about it: you’re a busy teenager or parent, and you have had a long day at work or school and you want to eat before you go to sleep. Would you choose to stop at a McDonald’s or Wendy’s to get a burger and fries on the way home or would you choose to go home and cook a meal? My guess is that most people would choose the quicker way out and eat from a fast food restaurant instead of taking the time to prepare dinner.
Fast food is not only is fast food quicker than cooking at home but common belief is that it is also cheaper. Is it actually cheaper than going to the grocery store and buying ingredients for a home cooked meal? The answer is no. Many of us choose fast food restaurants thinking that they’re cheaper than making a meal at home. The truth is that if you buy ingredients for a meal for your family that last the whole week, it is most likely going to be a lot cheaper than buying everyone a combo at the nearest McDonald’s or Wendy’s every night for a week. Think about it, for the average family of four, eating a meal at Wendy’s could cost up to. For instance, if both children got a Kid’s Meal for about $3.49 each and both parents each bought a half-size salad and a small drink all for about $10.96 the total would be around $15. The same family could easily go to a grocery store and buy a pound of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, chicken breast, and water for no more than $10. If the family stayed at home and enjoyed a healthy salad with chicken breast, they’d save a lot more money daily than eating out every night. At the moment the value menu might seem like the cheaper way out but it all adds up eventually.
In addition to the belief that fast food is cheaper and quicker, many Americans would rather have their meals made for them versus cooking for themselves. Fast food is simple; choose what you want, order it, wait for it and then eat. Yes, there is a lot more work involved in cooking but it’s ultimately worth it. Most Americans believe that a homemade meal requires too much time and effort.
When you cook you’re essentially “closer” to your meal, you know what grocery store it came from, and you can read the label to find out more. When you eat fast food the most you know about the meat from the burger that you’re eating is what restaurant it is from. My point is that you know more about what you’re putting into your body when you spend the extra time and effort to create your own meals versus buying them at fast food restaurants. Thinking about our food can simply create a more “health conscious society”. Everyone should know what they are putting into their bodies. A quick thought about what you’re consuming before you consume it might change your decision the next time that you stop at McDonald’s for dinner.