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Negative economic effects of fast food
Negative economic effects of fast food
Economic impacts of fast food
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In Bittman’s New York Times article Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? he writes of America’s established idea that fast food is cheaper than fresh food. Bittman believes that fresh food isn’t always the more expensive option, and if you have the time to go to McDonald’s you have time to go to the grocery store. Bittman presents his ideas in somewhat of a critical way at first, but mellows out towards the end sympathizing with the audience. Despite Bittman’s headstrong opinion, he asks a fascinating question that keeps those wondering about the way they’re eating and how they can change it. As Bittman starts off his article, he gives an in your face approach to it. He explains, that after doing his own homework, it costs about $23-28 to feed a family of four at McDonalds. He then goes on to say, “You can serve a roasted chicken with vegetables along with a simple salad and milk for about $14.” Bittman shows a logos approach to this, by going out and seeing for himself just how much this food costs. It also seems that Bittman is trying to provoke the reader in a sense when he says “…and you get a few apple slices in addition to the fries!” Depending on whether …show more content…
Demographics from New York Times online show that the majority of people who subscribe to and read the newspaper are upper class citizens. So why would Bittman write an article about impoverished families choosing fast food over fresh produce for a newspaper that is read by those who don’t have to worry about the price of their food? As this is thought over, it seems that Bittman is more informing his audience rather than addressing a situation they have. The more I think about it the more I realize that choosing fast food over healthy food isn’t something just lower class citizens do, but all citizens. He is making a point that everyone should be looking at what they’re eating, not just those in financially tight
Works Cited Bittman, Mark. A. The “Bad Food” – What’s the Best Food? Tax it, and Subsidize Vegetables.” New York Times.
While shopping at a local Trader Joe’s, Freedman spots a bag of peas, which have been breaded, deep-fried and then sprinkled with salt. Upon seeing this snack, he is in shock to know that this same store, which is known for their wholesome food, would sell such a thing. With a tone of exasperation, he admits that, “I can’t recall ever seeing anything at any fast-food restaurant that represents as big an obesogenic crime against the vegetable kingdom.” It was such an unexpected situation for him to come across this small snack that represented the opposite of what the wholesome-food movement is for. To settle his own confusion, he clarifies that, “…many of the foods served up and even glorified by the wholesome-food movement are themselves chock full of fat and problem carbs.” This further proves that just because a certain food is promoted by a health fad, it does not validate that it is genuinely better than fast-food itself. A simple cheeseburger and fries from any fast-food restaurant would more than likely contain less calories than a fancy salad from the next hole-in-the-wall cafe. Not only that, but the burger and fries will be tastier and much cheaper
Fast food, while a quick alternative to cooking, has always been known to be less healthy than traditional preparations, but the extent of its health benefits or detriments was not known until a lawsuit came out which inspired documentarian Morgan Spurlock to engage in a 30 day experiment. The resultant documentary specifically targeted McDonald’s, the largest fast food chain in the world, which also happens to be a major recipient of lawsuits linking obesity and their food. Spurlock endeavored to spend a thirty day period eating nothing but food that came from the golden arches, with the rules that he would supersize only when asked, and every time he was asked, and that he would have everything from the menu at least once. In the 2004 film Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock explores the concept that McDonald’s contributes to the nation’s obesity problem through the utilization of statistics and scientific evidence as a logical appeal, comedy and repulsive qualities as an emotional appeal, and s...
He expresses the different myths about fast food, like how it is supposedly cheaper than real food when measured by the calories, the mentality of people that if it isn’t fast food, it has to be costly organic food, and that there just isn’t enough time to cook at home. These myths, followed by genuine factors such as addictions and a cultural impact, help Bittman prove his argument’s validity to his audience. I have to say that Bittman proved his argument’s effectiveness, for he clearly stated his thesis and provided various reliable sources that aided in proving his view’s legitimacy. He states that the alternatives to fast food don’t have to be grass-fed beef and organic veggies, but instead pretty much anything that’s healthier than junk.
Mark Bittman’s article “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?” tells about how people are not really getting their money’s worth when it comes to consuming junk food. He does this by showing the differences between ordering a meal at McDonald’s and cooking a meal at home. The twenty-eight dollars that is spent to feed a family of four at McDonald’s can be put to use making a meal that could last for a couple of days and feed more than four (Bittman 660). Engineered to be addictive, hyper-processed food has a taste that makes people wanting more. Lastly, Bittman addresses the convenience of junk food provides nowadays. Therfore, the cost of junk food is not really cheaper in comparison to a home cooked meal.
In the article, “A Food Manifesto for the Future”, Mark Bittman makes his claim on how our American diet is unhealthy and unsafe towards our bodies and the environment as well. Within his piece, he includes multiple suggestions that could be implemented towards the foundation of a healthier, and safer diet. Within all these recommendations, Bittman states that, “When people cook their own food, they make better choices.” I decided to argue for this proposal, after personal experiences that I have had recently where I was able to see the difference between cooking at home, and eating out. Within Bittman’s piece, he states that we should, “encourage and subsidize home cooking”, which at first I did not understand how exactly our nation could subsidize home
Freedman convincingly argues that hitting the drive-thru may be a better choice for you and your pockets, rather than spending hours and all of your hard earned cash at a whole foods store. That may sound ridiculous to most people because they’re under the impression to not eat fast food because it is not good for you, while that may be true, neither is the advertised “healthy” foods.
Bittman supports his argument by comparing an order for a family of four at McDonald’s,
Albeit the system seems rigged with an unfair advantage to fast food and junk food companies who dominate America’s landscape. In today’s society, if the government sets proportions, adults and children still have the freedom to choose what they consume. Companies are manufacturing to our taste in a series of experiments to find the “bliss” point in which consumers find the products more desirable (Moss 482). The logic is relatable as many businesses strive to appease their customers to return. Subsequently, in agreement with both authors, many adults are enticed by the convenience of these industries. Whether it be they are on the go or prefer not to cook after a strenuous day: the cheap prices and close proximity appeal to their fast paced
She was able to evoke emotions by her choice of negatively charged words towards the other author, Stephen Budiansky, and his work, Math Lessons for Locavores. By the end of the article, the reader developed strong negative views concerning the other article solely on Trueman’s diction and her tone. By writing, “Throw in a bunch of dubious and/or irrelevant statistics that appear to be truly locally sourced-i.e., pulled out of your own behind,” and “What’s so maddening about sloppy op-eds like this is that they give fodder to folks who hate the very notion that their food choices have any consequences beyond their own waistlines and bank balances”, Trueman expresses her dislike of Budiansky’s thoughst on the topic. She describes his article in such a dismissive way that her audiences adopts the same views as her. As a whole, her way of writing creates an overall negative tone towards the article being criticized. While doing this, she also points out flaws in his argument and exposes his faults in reasoning. As a result, his argument becomes invalid in the eyes of the readers and they are left with a clear winning perspective on the issue of the Local Food Movement. Kerry Truman's use of pathos in her critical analysis of Budiansky’s Math Lessons for Locavores was successful in the aspect that she evokes emotions in her
In the articles “Gap in Diet Quality between wealthiest and poor Americans doubles , study finds, and “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper” both focus on our food diet as a whole and why it is bad. They focus on the topics of what foods are good and bad for you, why it is cheaper to cook at home meal than go out to eat at a fast food place and where people have access to these food markets.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Print.
The essay Junking Junk Food written by Judith Warner, brings to the audiences attention the wicked problem of how there has been a decline in Americans health. Warner’s information speaks loudly about being forced into a healthy lifestyle by the Obama administration. The Obama administration tried to enforce a healthy lifestyle among the citizens by focusing on the youth and taking away sugar options for them. Warner, puts her voice into this by mentioning the system during the world war when the soldiers had to eat overseas so there was less food consumption in America, which helped stop over consumption of food. Back then food was also much healthier thought, with less hormones, chemicals and less options of fast food. Again making it easier
We make personal choices about what and where to eat. The government is not going to eliminate the unhealthy food because we think it is the cause of obesity. Ultimately, we must decide to either stay away from unhealthy food or eat them in moderation. Despite all the efforts of education, media and guidance it doesn’t prevent us from grabbing that cheeseburger with fries on the way to work. In his essay “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Radley Balko argues that society should take full responsi...
American culture is changing dramatically. In some areas it’s a good thing, but in other areas, like our food culture, it can have negative affects. It is almost as if our eating habits are devolving, from a moral and traditional point of view. The great America, the land of the free and brave. The land of great things and being successful, “living the good life.” These attributes highlight some irony, especially in our food culture. Is the American food culture successful? Does it coincide with “good living”? What about fast and processed foods? These industries are flourishing today, making record sales all over the globe. People keep going back for more, time after time. Why? The answer is interestingly simple. Time, or in other words, efficiency. As people are so caught up in their jobs, schooling, sports, or whatever it may be, the fast/processed food industries are rapidly taking over the American food culture, giving people the choice of hot