Driven to Devour-America's Obsession with Fast Foods

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Driven to Devour--America's Obsession with Fast Foods
by: Kathy G. Wise RD LD LDN

It's 7:30 a.m., and you're running late for work. As you rush out the door you realize you forgot to eat breakfast. No problem you can just grab something at the fast food establishment you pass every day.

What will you do for lunch? Chances are if there wasn't time to have breakfast at home, you didn't get a chance to pack lunch either. Thank goodness there is a fast food place close to work.

Knowing this is not healthy, you promise yourself that dinner will be different. You will make a nice meal at home this evening. Oops, you forgot about your daughter's track meet and your son's basketball practice. Looks like you will have to order pizza on your cell phone while driving home so it can be delivered by the time you arrive. Does this sound familiar? Is this an occasional happening or part of your daily routine?

We are busy, time is at a premium and we want things fast including our food. We barely take time out to eat. As a result we are driven to devour our meals in our cars, at our desks, on the way to the next meeting or event. We grab a bite, guzzle it down with a beverage and move onto the next task. We rarely take time to notice how it tasted or even if it was satisfying. Might we have enjoyed it if we actually chewed the food and took more than five minutes to eat an entire quarter pound burger with cheese, order of fries and a large drink?

There are many things Americans do well, but taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life is not one of them. Food provides us with one of those simple pleasures. True, food is essential for life; however if that were the only reason to eat we could simply put together a nutritious concoction in a blender and drink it. Although nutrition is extremely important, taste and satiety have great significance. The taste of food gives us pleasure and is the reason we choose one food over another. Satiety is best described as that content feeling one gets after eating a certain food or meal. The feeling of satiety is what signals our body to stop eating. If we do not take the time to taste the food, we do not experience the pleasure. If there is no pleasure from eating the food, it is unlikely that you will feel content and likely to eat more. Perhaps that is why many people need to super size their meals or get extra servings.

Chances are things are not going to slow down, but you can when eating. By slowing down you will need less food and get more enjoyment from what you are eating. Fast foods can have a place in a busy lifestyle with some careful planning. Try to pick foods that are lower in fat and calories such as the grilled chicken breast sandwich over the breaded, fried filet. Keep food choices simple and avoid the temptation to super size the meal.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem. Please consult your health care provider if you suspect you are ill, or have questions about your condition.