Base on the docuseries of HISTORY 101 on Netflix
Do you have Netflix? Do you love history? If yes, then Netflix’s HISTORY 101 is perfect for you. This Netflix “Docuseries” is a must-watch, and surprisingly entertaining which is a good thing to put in mind considering that it’s all about history since many people find history boring - correct me if I’m wrong?
Anyway, today we will be talking about fast-food restaurants' impact on society. If it really lives up to what it is known for which is to provide convenience to people when it comes to serving and having food or does it just bring crisis? This is based on the documentary series of HISTORY 101.
It’s undeniable how fast-food restaurants like McDonald's and Jollibee is adored and loved by many people, most especially children. Even I am not exempted for I was raised loving Jollibee.
There are almost a quarter of a million fast-food restaurants in the US alone and probably millions around the globe. Globally fast-food restaurants generate over 570 billion dollars each year, which is so fascinating and convincing in a way that it encourages people to venture into a fast-food business because it makes a lot of money. But, aside from the tons and tons of money that it gives, it also sadly gives tons and tons of health and environmental issues.
How come? It is because, as fast-food restaurants continue to grow bigger worldwide many people are getting obese or overweight as well. For example, in 1950, only 12% of Americans were obese but by 1994 it increased to 23%. Furthermore, a 2016 study estimates that globally more than 1.9 billion adults and over 340 million children and adolescents were overweight. The average person needs 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day to maintain their weight. But a Double Whopper with fries and chocolate shake will get you to over 2,000 calories in one sitting. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for diseases such as diabetes and cancer. So, with people being addicted to fast food there is a high possibility that they will be suffering from those diseases. Nutritionists and doctors blame this phenomenon on the fast-food industry for recklessly making and selling food that is loaded with high levels of sugar, fat, and salt.
With all the fingers pointed at them, the fast-food companies did not neglect the issue. They made their regular fast food ingredients healthier. First, they steam their fried chicken and then fried in a healthier alternative, rapeseed oil, before being prepared and served to customers. In 2002, Burger King becomes the first national chain to serve a veggie burger. McDonald’s ditched their supersize menu in 2004 and introduced salads the same year and also included sliced apples in their menu. To totally control the health issue, the government made steps as well. In 2018, the FDA started requiring all fast-food restaurants to publish their calorie counts. Laws were also passed restricting the size of sugary drinks that fast-food restaurants offer. But despite all the efforts, many still consider burgers, fries, and soda to be a meal. For, after all, it’s still convenient and cheap.
Another issue against the fast food industry is that its wastes contribute to global warming. Global warming happens because of the emission of greenhouse gases like methane that trap the Earth’s heat. And shockingly, one of the largest producers of methane is cow herds (cow farts). Since fast-food restaurants make a lot of beef burgers then this means that they need a lot of cows too. So in other words billions of burgers mean millions of cows. So astonishing and at the same time alarming right?
Well, braise yourselves because that’s not all. Takeout orders also account for around 269,000 tons of plastic waste, polluting the oceans. Now, environmentalists are calling for fast food companies to reduce their waste because if they will not then for sure pollution will continue and global warming will be inevitable.
To conclude, fast foods are now part of our lives. It is good for the economy and is helpful to us especially if we are hungry and in a hurry that is why it’s hard to solve the crisis. But it doesn’t mean that we can’t do anything. We can still be responsible people by not using plastic straws, spoons, and fork whenever we eat in a fast-food restaurant and also use eco-bags, not plastic bags when we take out food. Let us also be mindful of our health because if you remember as the saying goes, “Health is wealth.”
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