Fast Food Traditions

It seems as the busier our lives become, the less time we have for family traditions, such as eating dinner as a family. We often resort to fast food for a quick fill, which as most know, is not the healthiest option. As our world has become more health conscious, we have become more aware of the calorie intake from these "fast meals," which led many to start cooking more meals at home or trying to find a healthier way to continue eating food on the go. Being that this makes a loss of business for McDonalds, Taco Bell, Jack-in-the-Box, and other fast food joints, these restaurants knew something had to be done to fit the latest health craze. Fast food restaurants are trying to accommodate the latest health trend by posting all item menu calories, offering low fat and low calories options, and by offering different sides and drinks.


As most have noticed, most fast food restaurants have now been posting all calorie information on menu items. Although this does not stop everyone from eating the unhealthy stuff, it definitely makes people aware of what they are actually putting in their mouths. My favorite meal from Jack-in-the-Box was the crispy chicken ciabatta. The first time I drove to the drive thru, I learned that my favorite meal was a whopping 1360 calories! I never ate it again. Traditionally, families that are always on the run rarely cared how many calories their family was being fed. These traditions are being challenged by the latest health phase. Posting calories may not keep everyone from eating 1000 calorie meals, but it helps many make a health conscious choice.


Many fast food joints now offer low calorie or low fat options. Although it would be healthier to simply cook at home, "differing school times, work times, soccer practice, choir practice, meetings, and a host of competing activities have played havoc with the structure of family dining" (Pillsbury 191). McDonalds went from super-sizing their value meals to offering mini-meals. Not only are mini-meals cheaper, but they are also the correct portion size and range from about 400-550 calories where the super-size meals (which are not even offered anymore) ranged from 1500-2000 calories! Most people would probably rather eat salty fries rather than apple slices or yogurt, but they know that the healthier option is the correct one. Portion size has a lot to do with fast food and why it aids to weight gain. Fast food restaurants offering smaller portioned, lower calorie meals helps America become more health conscious.


Many fast food restaurants are now offering different options for sides. In the past decade or two, most have noticed that obesity is becoming a problem in our country. This is partly because children are learning early that it is okay to eat fast food any time they are hungry and that it doesn’t matter what it is that we eat, as long as we are eating. If thinking this way continued, every child in America would be extremely obese by the time they were ten years old. The message that is now being sent out is that our country needs to take control and make healthier choices. Kid’s meals, for example, now give parents the choice to choose between french fries, apple slices, and granola bars. These sides can be for the adult meals as well, but helping children make healthy choices young can be effective in the long run health choices they make. Instead of the usual soda, customers can now choose to have low fat milk, or a bottle of water. Some fast food restaurants have also added all natural juice boxes for children as well. All of these small decisions, made possible by the fast food industry, have changed the way that we traditionally ate fast food for the better.


The fast food industry has been growing for some time now. People may still be leading busy lives and not have time for home cooked meals anymore, but a healthier option is offered now. Although the fast food industry is leaving it up to us to make the healthy choice, it is now out there. Of course, we should all be cooking healthy meals at home on a nightly basis with fast food being a once in awhile treat. However, with the fast paced world that we are living in today, this is not an option for most. Fast food restaurants offering calorie information on all menu items, smaller portioned and lower calorie and/or fat meals, and many options for drinks and sides leave it easier for people on the go to have their "fast food" in a healthier way.