Why fast food is harmful

There is an opinion that fast food is a cheap, quick, but far from useful snack “on the run”. The fast food segment of the market has begun to respond to the demand for healthy wholesome food. Today, recognition of the harmfulness of such food is no longer so unconditional, the benefits and harms of fast food have been proven. Time will show what will outweigh how this direction will develop.

Types of fast food

Fast food dates back to deep antiquity. Even in ancient Rome, residents did not cook at home, but preferred yeast cakes with olive oil. They were used as edible plates for various delicacies that the Romans bought in bazaars and eateries. Over the centuries, tortillas have become pizza. Today, all fast food is divided into categories, depending on the composition, shelf life of the final product and the place of manufacture:

• soups in bags, mashed potatoes, noodles;
• cheeseburgers, fries, hamburgers;
• popcorn, chips, crackers;
• pies, whites, pizza, hot dogs.

Why eating fast food is harmful

Fast food is in demand and attracts buyers with its low price and emphasized taste. Such a taste is provided by the harmful additives that are addictive and negatively reflected in health. There is no particular harm from rare use. If fast food becomes daily in the diet, then disruptions in the body's work are inevitable:

• the appearance of excess weight, the development of obesity;
• kidney disease;
• increased cholesterol levels;
• the development of atherosclerosis;
• the formation of gallbladder stones;
• high likelihood of developing hypertension;
• high blood sugar;
• load on the pancreas, the development of its pathologies;
• the risk of developing caries;
• gastritis, ulcer.

The benefits or harms of fast food for children is determined by the frequency of its use and the properties of the product. The child's choice must be monitored, monitored, and, if necessary, corrected bad habits.

High cholesterol in fast food

Many myths and "horror stories" are associated with the content of harmful cholesterol in fast food and many products. Today, science believes that the impact of food on cholesterol levels is not so great. Cholesterol - an integral part of the cell membrane, is used to build sex hormones, vitamin D and bile acids, that is, it is necessary for the body. At the same time, its increased level is one of the main causes of death as a result of vascular sclerosis and hepatosis of the liver. It is dangerous to have high blood cholesterol levels, but only one seventh comes from food, the rest is generated by the liver. Saturated fat comes from food, not cholesterol. With a low-fat diet, its content can be reduced by only 10% and even leads during this period to increased production of "internal" cholesterol created by the liver. Doctors have recommended replacing the harmful saturated fats found in fast food with polyunsaturated, vegetable fats, since there is little benefit from animals.Although foods do not drastically affect cholesterol levels, fast food should be eaten with caution - because of the proven harm to the human body.

Large amount of salt

One of the harmful features of fast food is that it contains excessive amounts of salt and spices. Excessive amounts of them lead to high blood pressure. As a result, hypertension, along with other cardiac pathologies, has become more often diagnosed in young people. Usually, the daily requirement for salt is covered by one fast food dish. So, the daily norm for a person is about 1500 - 2300 mg of salt. In fast food restaurant dishes, the spice content in fast food is up to 2000 mg. For people with diabetes, kidney disease, blood pressure, this is a very dangerous dose.

Vitamin-free product

Instant fast food is produced by drying or dehydrogenation. Water evaporates from the food. Meat, herbs, vegetables completely lose moisture, and with it - structure and vitamins. Instead, fast food is stuffed with flavorings, flavor enhancers. The harm of the properties of such food is obvious. With constant use, such a combination of the periodic table in the composition of the dishes, the ulcer and gastritis will not have to wait long.

Harmful food additives E

There are three substances that are often confused with each other, complain about their presence in fast food. Glutamic acid and glutamine are amino acids from which the body is built. Monosodium glutamate is synthesized artificially in the laboratory to increase the sensitivity of taste receptors. Thanks to him, low-grade products acquire a bright, pleasant taste. For this reason, manufacturers love to add it to fast food. They are designated as E-additives with numerical indices from 621 to 625. The harm of these additives is not in their composition, but in getting used to them. Without glutamate, foods seem bland and tasteless, addiction sets in and, as a result, overeating. Fast food manufacturers use glutamate. It is known for its properties to stimulate the brain, resulting in a slight euphoria. And then the harm of getting used to certain foods awaits. This is exactly what happens with fast food, the health harm of which is determined in this case by the amount of the questionable substance.

Infection with pathogenic microorganisms

Very often, products that are not of high quality are used to prepare fast food. There is no guarantee of their origin or freshness. In pursuit of the quantity of products produced, no attention is paid to its benefits and quality indicators. There are cases of participation in the process of preparing fast food by personnel who do not have the proper qualifications or admission to such work. In case of violation of the sanitary standards for the preparation of a product, especially in the “street food” format, it is quite possible for pathogenic microorganisms to spread in fast food, when the entire range of products becomes unusable, but goes on sale, after which the harm of mass poisoning and infections is observed.

Infections can be transmitted through unwashed vegetables or meat that has not been properly cooked during the cooking period. Violation of sanitary standards for storing and preparing food often results in disastrous consequences for buyers.

What regular fast food can lead to

The harmful effects of fast food are not in the chemical composition, but in an excess of common, traditional products: sugar, fat, salt. If the use of fast food has become regular, then there can be no talk of any benefit, and the harm may be similar to what is shown in the photo:

• with regular use of fast food, metabolic failure occurs, metabolism slows down;
• the gut microflora suffers from excess sugar and fat, as there are plenty of these foods in the burger bun and sauce. In combination with salty food, the process of putrefaction can begin in the intestines as a result of sugar settling on the intestinal walls;
• "Thanks to" the trans fats used in fast food, the heart suffers, the risk of developing oncology is high;
• the pancreas is overworked due to the large amount of sugar, which can lead to diabetes;
• high calorie content leads to obesity due to fast carbohydrates;
• satiety is quickly replaced by a feeling of hunger - and overeating with such a bad diet is guaranteed.

The list of the dangers of fast food continues with the video:

Is fast food useful?

Among the useful properties of fast food, many cite the speed of preparation, affordability and rich taste. But these advantages are questionable if the cumulative harmful properties of dishes are placed on the other side of the scale. To minimize them, a number of recommendations must be followed:

1. Reception of fast food - no more than twice a week. With the existing dependence on food, it is necessary to gradually reduce portions.
2. It is unacceptable to eat large quantities of fried food: potatoes should be combined with a salad, not a hamburger.
3. With a strong feeling of hunger, it is necessary to set aside time for a full meal, or have a snack with nuts or dried fruits.
4. Red meat should not be consumed due to the high likelihood of using GMO foods.
5. A whole grain hamburger bun with lettuce can help reduce the potential harm of fast food.
6. Ketchup and mayonnaise should be discarded.
7. It is best to prepare fast food at home by purchasing all high quality ingredients.

Healthy fast food recipes

It turns out that it is quite possible to prepare fast food that is healthy in its properties. To do this, you must use environmentally friendly products, without E-additives. You can apply recipes:

1. A hamburger is easy to make from a bran bun, a piece of chicken, turkey, and lean beef. Instead of meat, baked fish is fine. The sauce can actually be made from sour cream, spices, herbs or homemade mayonnaise.
2. French fries are a big blow to the liver. An alternative in terms of properties can be halved potatoes baked in the oven. The benefits from them are much more than from fast food.
3. Shawarma replacement is lavash stuffed with different products - meat, minced meat, vegetables, herbs. As a sauce, you can use yogurt seasoned with grated garlic, chopped herbs.
   
4. Homemade pizza will not take long to prepare if you use ready-made buns as a basis. They need to be cut lengthwise, put meat, onions, tomatoes, peppers on each half. Grate the cheese, bake in the oven, garnish with herbs.
5. Meatball requires minced meat, onions, peppers and a spoonful of starch. Make balls from the mixture of products and bake them in the oven.

These dishes are a worthy substitute for fast food, they can be used for snacks at work, at home, at a picnic. The benefits of products for the body of adults and children are obvious.

How to snack properly

A person snacks on average three times a day. This can happen at home, on the go, or at work. Snacking is beneficial if you follow a few rules:

1. Drink a glass of water before meals.
2. Pay attention to the calorie content of the product.
3. You should not read while eating, watch TV, study information on the Internet.
4. You need to eat slowly, chewing thoroughly.
5. Two snacks a day is enough.

Instead of fast food in a snack, you can use:

• bananas - delicious, healthy, and uplifting;
• baked potatoes, rich in potassium, phosphorus, promoting metabolism;
• dark chocolate is a product that satisfies hunger well;
• almonds, tonic, uplifting.

If you organize snacks correctly - not junk food, but healthy products, then you can maintain your health, efficiency, and also your mood.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of fast food depend on the quality of the products included in the dish, compliance with the conditions and rules of preparation.“Fast food” should not be overused: it is quite possible to organize meals with healthy snacks.