Healthier Fast Food?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jun 11, 2006

Quite frankly, I think the problem is "fast" food.
Not the food in itself (well, not quite).
Eating "on the go" can and will never ever be 'healthy' or 'safe'.

I think that's the crux of it, Roy. That, and the fact that the foods the good Lord intended for our use don't come out of a fry basket or a factory.

I love my junk food as well as the next person. But unlike much of the general public, which at best is receiving mixed messages from the food industry and Madison Avenue, I'm not foolish enough to believe any of it is good for me, nor do I feel like I'm 'getting away with' something when I buy sugar-free candies or those cardboard Oreos in the little 100-calorie bags. :uhoh3:

Jolie, BSN · Jun 11, 2006

I refuse to eat hydrogenated oils. Not only because of the health repurcussions, but because it is a political statement. I can't believe they pump that garbage into our society and try to pass it off as food. They market to us and brainwash our kids! Our consumer dollars are the most impactful "vote" we can make. I don't eat or purchase meat, I try to buy organic when it's affordable, and I quit eating trans fats over a year ago. When our spending habits change, the supply and demand fluctuates, then companies and the US govt might begin to pay attention.

I applaud your commitment to eating on "your own terms". You make a powerful statement on food choice, whether for health, political or other reasons. No one is being forced to eat fast food, trans fat, or any other unhealthy option!

natron20 · Jun 11, 2006

You are so right. It's also like those "100 Calorie Snack Packs" they have now. Sure, you can eat 30 little flavorless cookie bits, or you can eat just TWO regular cookies and it's the same calorie count. Yet, those little snack packs are flying off the shelves and people think they are doing themselves some big favor.
Amanda

Hi Amanda,

I would like to offer a bit of a different view on this. I have lost approx. 120 lbs over the past year and I can attest to the fact that a lot of people with weight issues struggle with portion control. These little snack packs are a great tool for someone having that problem.

Just my two cents....

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jun 11, 2006

Hi Amanda,
I would like to offer a bit of a different view on this. I have lost approx. 120 lbs over the past year and I can attest to the fact that a lot of people with weight issues struggle with portion control. These little snack packs are a great tool for someone having that problem.
Just my two cents....

Dishing out portions in a Ziploc bag would be just as effective (and probably cheaper).

mandana · Jun 11, 2006

Hi Amanda,
I would like to offer a bit of a different view on this. I have lost approx. 120 lbs over the past year and I can attest to the fact that a lot of people with weight issues struggle with portion control. These little snack packs are a great tool for someone having that problem.
Just my two cents....

Congratulations on your weight loss. That's an impressive accomplishment.

Look, if those snack packs help, great. But...like Marie just said, the same thing can be done with ziploc bags and/or label reading. My point wasn't that the snack packs are evil, but more a statement on Americans and their views of food. Because those packs are marketed as "100 Calorie", people feel like it's some great thing. But, in reality, a portion of just about anything can be meted out to be a mere 100 calories.

Amanda

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

I refuse to eat hydrogenated oils. Not only because of the health repurcussions, but because it is a political statement. I can't believe they pump that garbage into our society and try to pass it off as food. They market to us and brainwash our kids! Our consumer dollars are the most impactful "vote" we can make. I don't eat or purchase meat, I try to buy organic when it's affordable, and I quit eating trans fats over a year ago. When our spending habits change, the supply and demand fluctuates, then companies and the US govt might begin to pay attention.

I'm an omnivore but I do applaud you for making spending choices that are inline with your beliefs. I have a brother who hates a certain large store we'll just call "Wallyworld". However, he still makes a fair percentage of purchases there because their prices are lower than the competition. The only opinion they care about is that which is made by his wallet.

It's true that the food and supplement industry have put us into a huge uncontrolled study group. Nothing they sell has been tested or certified to be either safe or effective and they love it. Why spend money to test products when you can sell them without it? Money money money!