The Rise of Fast Food: A Modern Phenomenon
The use of fast food is now a custom that is known to all and sundry. Over the last 50 years or so, the fast food culture has undergone a tremendous transformation from being awkwardly considered as a culture by the Western societies to a recognized economic sector. One can simply order a burger off the internet or buy a pizza and have it delivered straight to their door. It has reached threatening levels of reach in every corner of the globe. Explain though, what have really caused the explosion of this cuisine? And to put it more specifically, what is its result on human health and society in general?
Understanding the Fast Food
The idea of fast food simply enabled quick service at crowds like modern day kiosks or food courts. However, the mass defined us perception of “fast food” began in the early twentieth with the introduction of drive in diners across the USA. Companies like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC simplified the industry with limited options, quick meals, and cheap food. They have since changed chicken and chips options across the continents. Today, quick service restaurants have planted themselves in every continent retaining a Sherpa style of organization, only to adjust with the local demands.
Dominant Reasons For Its Acceptance And Spread
A fast food meal can be described as the shady cousin of balance diet; it is cheap, quick, and a taste bud explosion. In this modern society, where time seems to always be a luxury, quick service restaurants comes to the rescue.
- Affordability: It only takes a dollar or two to buy many fast food items. In this regard, it is even more affordable than dining at a traditional restaurant or cooking at home.
- Variety: Fast food chains have in their menu lines of products such as cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and sushi to name a few.
- Consistency: McDonald’s hamburgers taste the same every where in the world. This is phenomenon associated with fast food chains.
The Impact of Fast Food on Health
Insofar as fast food can save one or a family a lot of time, it would however be noted that fast food comes with a lot of health risks! Dependable on the product, but many are discovered to be high in energy density and thus excessive consumption can induce an energy imbalance and eventually obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many chronic diseases.
Nonetheless, per consumer demand, the fast food chains have begun providing a healthier menu by including salad, grilled food items, low calorie food and so forth. Regardless these efforts, it is wise for consumers to be cautious with the type of fast food they order and how much of it they eat.
The Economic and Social Impact
By creating millions of jobs, be it as a restaurant worker or in the supply chain, fast food has altered completely the economies of countries. Furthermore, as a number of fast food restaurants do not grow most of their ingredients, they use local farms which are within proximity.
On the other hand, because the expansion of fast food chains has come alongside globalization, eating habits and cuisines have also begun to be compromised. Conversely, according to the dominant version, it is the new breeding ground for modern lifestyles particularly, in this case, it applies to youth.
The Future of Fast Food
Most of developed markets are becoming saturated territory for the fast food industry. As industrialized nations are now very familiar with fast food restaurants, new consumption patterns are becoming popular in the emerging markets and they are being shaped mostly by globalization. To cut costs in production, the flat eating trend is observed. But the colonized nations are putting the breaks with plant based diets, environmentally friendly packaging, and vegan fast food chains by globalizing the developed world’s appetite.
The trend of self-service kiosks and mobile apps is expected enhance the fast food experience for everyone. In order to keep up in the fast food chain game, operators will ultimately have no choice but to capitalise on the continuously increasing number of health enthusiasts. Convenience, taste, health, and sustainability are key factors manufacturers focus on.
Final Thoughts
Fast food undoubtedly has an impact on today's society. Even though it provides valuable relief and inexpensive fast meals, one should be conscious of the nutritional value. As the sector learns to adjust to shifting fashions and client needs, it would not be a surprise if the future of fast food centers more on nutrition, environmental friendliness and technological advances. Whether you are a fast food lover or a supporter of homemade meals, what is important is to know how it affects our health and the community in general.
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