ast Food's Hidden Dangers
Jeffrey Zurlinden, RN, MS
Every day, about one-quarter of American adults eat at fast-food restaurants. Cheap, tasty, and convenient, fast food is loaded with saturated fat and calories, and it's low in fiber and nutrients. Thanks in large part to fast food, half of America's adults and one-quarter of its children are obese, double the rate of a generation ago. Even some popular chicken nuggets, which many consumers consider a healthier alternative, are flavored with beef extract and contain twice as much fat, ounce for ounce, as a ham burger.
Besides the long-term health risks of a high-fat, high-calorie diet, fast-food chains have indirectly changed the way cattle are fed, slaughtered, and processed, making meatpacking the most dangerous job in America and increasing the risk of large-scale food poisoning. In his new book, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, Eric Schlosser describes fast food's hidden dangers.
A Lifetime of Fast Food
Although most of the health problems related to fast food aren't felt until middle age -- obesity and diabetes are at an all-time high --- the damage starts before children enter kindergarten. Hoping to shape eating habits, fast-food chains market heavily to children. About 96% of American school-aged children recognize Ronald McDonald, second only to Santa Claus. Almost every American child eats at a McDonald's® at least once a month.
Fast food runs on cheap labor, usually supplied by teenagers. Child labor laws that restrict work schedules are often ignored at fast-food chains. Although part-time employment can teach teenagers responsibility, teenage boys who work long hours are more likely to abuse drugs and get into trouhle. They also risk getting hurt: Each year about 20,000 teenagers suffer work-related injuries, about twice the adult rate.
Meatpacking Factories: Injuries and Food Poisoning
To keep meat prices low, most slaughterhouses have moved out of big cities and into small towns. Instead of hiring skilled, unionized workers, meatpacking plants frequently recruit recent immigrants who are willing to work hard for low pay on assembly lines that turn living cattle into frozen hamburger at record speed. To keep up the pace, plant workers often abuse methamphetamine. Meatpacking has become the most hazardous occupation in the US, with three times the injury rate of factory work. Each year, at least one-third of all meatpackers are injured on the job.
Concentrating cattle into large feedlots and herding them through processing assembly lines operated by poorly trained employees increase the risk of large-scale food poisoning. Manure gets mixed with meat, contaminating it with salmonella and Escherichia coli 0157:H7. Schlosser reports a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) study that found 78.6% of ground beef contained microbes spread primarily by fecal material. Because of current processing methods, each contaminated carcass is distributed to a large number of people. The typical frozen hamburger that is used in fast-food restaurants contains meat from dozens or hundreds of cattle, multiplying the risk of food poisoning.
E. coli 0157:H7 is one of the worst forms of food poisoning. Usually spread through undercooked hamburgers, it's difficult to treat. Although antibiotics kill the bacteria, they release a toxin that produces dreadful complications. About 4% of people infected with E. coli 0157:H7 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, and about 5% of children who develop the syndrome die. E. coli 0157:H7 has become the leading cause of renal failure among American kids.
Meat also can become poisoned as it's processed into hot dogs or bologna. The US Food and Drug Administration and the USDA recently warned that children under six and pregnant women should avoid hot dogs and sandwich meats unless they're thoroughly cooked, due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes infection. Once mixed into food, L. monocytogenes continues to multiply, despite refrigeration. Usually, it causes mild flu-like symptoms, but it can turn deadly in young children. Pregnant women are 20 times more susceptible to infection, which may lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Each year, L. monocytogenes causes 2,500 serious illnesses and 500 deaths. As food processing is concentrated among fewer and fewer facilities, large-scale contamination becomes more likely. Last year, for example, agricultural giant Cargill recalled almost 17 million pounds of processed poultry products due to the risk of L. monocytogenes.
Jeffrey Zurlinden, RN, MS, is a Nursing Spectrum contributing writer.
Bibliography
Kilman S. Listeria outbreak in Cargill turkey poses problems for meat industry. Wall Street Journal. December 20, 2000:84.
Kulman 1. Pregnant women get no bologna -- or shark or brie. U.S. News & World Report. 2001; 1 30(4}:52.
Marcus M. Organic foods offer peace of mind -- at a price. U.S. News & World Report. 2001;130(2):48-50.
Schiosser E. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin; 2001.
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA issues letter to industry on food containing botanical and other novel ingredients. Available at:
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpnovel.html
Accessed March 12, 2001.
2006-11-02 23:28:15
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answer #1
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answered by redunicorn 7
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1
2016-12-25 17:18:13
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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I'm making good profit with penny stock. Check here http://trade-pennystock.checkhere.info
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2014-10-22 00:53:37
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Healthy foods lead to sound health and these should be started from childhood. Lack of exercise, indulging in routine consumption of fast foods, etc leads to many health problems. The importance of diet in maintaining health should not ignored. Since diet played a major role in controlling diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, etc, it was important to take regular diet counselling from a qualified dietician. Understanding this need, CMCH run a daily diet clinic to help patients with proper diet intake. Dietary counselling was provided to hospitalised patients also.
Many therapeutic diets under the breakfast, mid-meals, lunch and dinner categories were on display. Emphasis on a vegetarian diet with more of fresh fruits and vegetables was evident. Informative posters were also displayed during the exhibition.
fast foods gives you lots lots of calories very bad for health
this is a very good example
No matter who you are or what kind of body type you have, there is one definite rule in this universe: you'll come out on top only if you're physically and mentally fit. From basics like getting that hot girl across the bar to look at you, or emanating a strong leadership presence during your presentation, it's all about how you look and how you project yourself.
The skinny man
For the person who is extremely thin (i.e., your bones are protruding on some parts of your body), it's more a problem of eating the basics for survival. These types need to carefully plan their daily meals in order to ingest the perfect ratio of fat:protein:carbs (30:40:30). 30% of the calories they ingest needs to be fat and carbohydrates, while 40% needs to be protein.
This, coupled with moderate exercise, will help pack on some pounds gradually. People in this type of category need to change the way they view food. Food is not the enemy; it can be your friend. Actually, it can be your savior. Without basic sustenance from vitamins, minerals, fats, carbs, and proteins, the body will self-destruct.
The ideal weight man
For the person who is already at his ideal weight, it's more a problem of mental image and fear. They are usually so afraid of becoming fat that they deny themselves the smallest pleasures like a nice cold ice-cream cone on a hot summer's day.
Fitness buffs who are in top shape burn themselves out by exercising too much and not letting their bodies recuperate. They harbor this fear (whether consciously or unconsciously) that they'll go over their ideal 10% body fat limit, and become the next Guinness World Record holder for the heaviest guy alive.
Since these types are already hitting the gym 6 times a week and eating sensibly, the only thing they should change is their mental reasoning. Pushing the body too much too fast is never a good thing.
The overweight man
Finally, for the person who is obese (i.e., you can't see your own feet while standing straight and looking down at the floor), it's a matter of eating too much and exercising very little -- if at all. This is when the calories start piling up and everything you eat gets stored as fat (yes, even protein and carbs).
Following the aforementioned fat:protein:carbs ratio helps, but you also need to exercise at least 4 times a week for 45 minutes, doing a lot of cardio and aerobics in order to melt away those love handles and that large bottom.
2006-11-03 19:58:20
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Hi,i think your confused thats some time the goverment says that the drinks are not good and the company gives ad.ya offcourse it a afects the whole lungs.
The fast food by the name itself you will be able to guees that it is made with spice and not in a nice manner it might be of old stock.
But you can have one time twice a month it is not good to take every day it will affect the health not at the time in future.
2006-11-02 23:34:35
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Well I'm posting an article that was published in THE HINDU an Indian Newspaper: Hope it will be helpfull to you, Good Luck!
Courting good food
A nutritious diet makes you smarter, happier and gives you more energy.
It sure is "uncool" the way parents and elders keep preventing you from eating your pet junk food — be it instant noodles or burgers — but do you know the reason?
Your favourite cheesy takeaway pizza and chilled aerated drink do not provide any nutrition. Instead they make you unhealthy and fat and release harmful substances (known as toxins) into the body.
But what is junk food? We commonly use the term to describe pre-packaged snack foods with low nutritional value. That is, food that is high in salt, sugar, fat and calories. Another ingredient popularly used in fast food to make it tasty is monosodium glutamate (MSG) also known as Aji-no-moto, which is harmful to the body.
Isn't it strange then, to pay to poison your body and get addicted, so that as you get older you are more likely to be prone to illness?
Studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe, show that more and more people are beginning to realise the ill effects of junk food.
Healthy diet
Good nutrition is important especially in the growing years (six-16) when a child's body needs a good diet to become a healthy adult. But unfortunately, this is the age when children are tempted by watching junk food advertisements on TV and insist on snacking on junk food.
It is, of course, easy to be attracted to this kind of food. And it is convenient. Most junk foods contain inedible colours, which harm the digestive systems, but the effects show only in later years. Studies have found that food colouring can cause hyperactivity and lapses of concentration. Children with learning problems are often advised against eating food with artificial colouring. Chocolates, aerated and flavoured drinks have artificial colouring.
More stamina
Learning how to avoid junk food and following a nutritious diet will give you a more active body and more stamina and intelligence to cope with pressure of school and lessons and other activities. You will have a lot more energy for sports and games, which will in turn boost your appetite, and make you feel happier and brighter. You can become a guide to your friends and show them what a difference food habits can make to their lives.
Television advertisements that only show families eating tempting-looking pizzas and burgers don't ever tell you the harmful effects they have on your body. They also never tell you that junk food can not replace a wholesome, homemade meal. So, instead of asking for chips and coke, ask for idlis or upma.
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What can I do?
Reduce the number of times you eat unhealthy snacks.
Opt for smaller servings.
Tell your friends about the ill effects of junk food.
Make a pact with them to stay away from junk food.
Try out some exciting recipes of tasty, nutritious snacks. Ask an adult to help.
© Copyright 2000 - 2006 The Hindu
2006-11-03 00:34:05
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answer #6
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answered by artfrenzy_101 3
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That action picture has already been made. you are the exception no longer the guideline. i've got no longer eaten quickly nutrition in over 15 years! i won't be in a position to think of how every person might placed that disgusting low-tier nutrition of their physique! No offense meant to you.
2016-10-15 08:06:24
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answer #7
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answered by ? 4
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Diabetes is usually treated through a combination of diet (low sugar), exercise and medications/insulin. Milder cases can be controlled with just diet an/or exercise while more severe cases require meds or insulin as well.
Learn more https://tr.im/kR30o
2015-01-30 16:15:24
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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GALS'S PURSES BECOME LIGHTER UNLESS YOUR BOYFRIENDS R PAYIN YOUR BILL
GUYS'S WALLET WILL SURELY BECOME LESS HEAVIER...
YOU WILL HELP Mc DONALD'S,PIZZA HUT'S N DOMINOS TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS'S WHICH THEY DONT DESERVE...COZ THEY DONT GIVE A DAMN FOR PEOPLE'S HEALTH...
YOUR EATING HABITS GO WAYWERD...
OBESITY....HEART PROBLEMS.....DIABETICS WILL START FOLLOWIN U WHERE EVER YOU GO AS THEY DEPEND ON U....SO THAT THEY BECOME A UNIVERSAL THING....
N YEAH !!!!!!!! THE WORST PART IS YOU NEED TO BUY URSELF NEW CLOTHES AS UR SIZE EXPANDS....
SO YOUR HELPING THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TO GROW @ A VERY HIGH RATE OF GROWTH
BUT SERIOUSLY....FAST FOOD IS NOT MEANT TO KEEP YOUR BODY BOTH INTERNALLY N EXTERNALLY IN GUD SHAPE....I GUESS ITZ BCOZ THE WAY THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES TO THE PUBLIC THAT DRAWZ PEOPLE TOWARDS THEM...BUT THEY DON GIVE A DAMN TO THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS...HEALTHWISE....
SO I GUESS WENEVER U FEEL HUNGRY NXT TIME.......N U NEED A QUICK MUNCH U CAN CARRY HOME MADE FOOD WITH URSELF...OR U CAN MUNCH ON FRESH FRUITS N SALADS..
OR TRY SOMETHIN THATZ ORGANIC...TO ENSURE THAT U TREAT URSELF N UR BODY AS THEY DESERVED TO B TREATED....
SO EAT HEALTHY N EAT WISELY......HAPPY MUNCHING
2006-11-03 11:59:03
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answer #9
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answered by vijay 2
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dear christine,
what r ill effects & long list of "ills" ?
one is enough - both make you DISFIGURED-FAT -A... & "BURP"!
rest is consequential........ you can't get rid off "sticky FAT and Doctors" and ur boyfriend is away forever............
any more "ill" effects you want to know.........
make habit of "consuming both" and be away (from me as well);
many-ques!!!
2006-11-03 20:59:40
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answer #10
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answered by many-ques!!! 2
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