The globalization of fast food has been making its claim for the last few decades. With McDonalds being one of the main surpluses of fast food throughout the entire world. According to Salisbury (2016), McDonald’s has 32,000 different restaurants within 117 separate countries, which is the main company that has branched out. There are a lot of risks, right along with a lot of benefits pertaining to the globalization of these fast-food chains. Educating the communities about what exactly these fast-food chains provide can be a large aspect of a healthy community. We must investigate the foods that we eat in order to understand the risks that are involved in eating these processed foods. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes stem from these fast-food restaurants more often than not. Yet the convenience and the price of the products both make it attractive to eat at these chains.
Food choices have changed tremendously due to the globalization of these fast-food restaurants. In todays fast paced world, everyone desires instant gratification with nearly every aspect of their lives. One of the most important traits of a human, is that they must eat in order to survive. That alone makes these fast-food restaurants more attractive, since people just pay a few dollars, and their food will be made for them in a span of minutes. Traditionally, the only meal that gets cooked anymore would be dinner, which even then can be replaced with fast-food. People don’t think they have the time to cook their own meals, when in reality, they are just sitting around streaming movies instead of doing what is important. That is one of the benefits of the globalization of fast-food.
Another benefit would be that it does provide cheap food to underdeveloped countries. In these underdeveloped countries, food is scarce and employment for individuals takes time. However, being able to get a dollar burger can help drive people to these restaurants in order to provide their bodies with the fuel that they need. And finally, another benefit would be that it provides jobs for individuals. People are able to open up their own locations within these monopolized companies fairly simply. Of course, a good portion of profits makes its way back to the corporation, but people can begin setting themselves up for future successes in a low-level country. On top of that, people are able to provide jobs within the area since the restaurant needs employees to run sufficiently.
One of the biggest risks of the globalization of fast-food restaurants is the health risks that are tied to these products. As stated before, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are stemmed form these type of industries due to the ingredients within the products. High fructose corn syrup and loads of sugar are found in almost every beverage. According to Regoli (2019), people that eat fast food regularly are more than 50% susceptible to depression than someone who does not eat it. There are loads of health risks that come with eating these products, which people should be educated about.
Another risk is the fact that the United States is one of the most overweight/obese countries in the world, probably due to these fast-food restaurants. With them moving over to other countries, their statistics of overweight individuals may grow as well. With their products literally being addictive and convenient, more and more individuals will be driven to eat at these restaurants. According to Regoli (2019), there are scientists that believe that these products are just as addictive as heroin, where people will actually show withdrawal symptoms when they cannot eat these products.
The final risk is you don’t really know exactly what you are eating. With all the foods being shipped all around the world, it must be frozen upon being created so that it doesn’t spoil by the time it reaches the location. This means there is an unhealthy amount of preservative in them, which is yet another terrible ingredient to consume. The same thing with cross-contamination, where all the products are being made directly next to eat other. So if you have some sort of food allergy, or are a vegetarian, then they cannot guarantee that it hasn’t been contaminated with whatever it is that you need to avoid.
It comes down to whether the pros outweigh the cons, and whether your health is more important than enjoying a quick meal. Does convenience and price mean more to you in the current moment than your health later on down the road. Living in the moment is something that can be beneficial for nearly every aspect of our lives. And if you desire to take care of yourself, right now, this moment, then you can continue to live in the moment long into the future. If we cannot make the right decision when it comes to our nutrition, then the longevity of our lives will decrease. If you are a consumer of these products, try abstaining for a month and see how much better you feel. The depression state and upset stomach will leave you within the first week. There are other means of eating food, even all the way on the other side of the world.
-Cyral I Callender III
References:
Regoli, N. (2019). 14 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Fast Food. Retrieved from: https://connectusfund.org/14-biggest-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-fast-food
Salisbury, P. (2016). The Globalization of “Fast Food.” Behind the Brand: McDonalds. Retrieved from: https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-globalization-of-fast-food-behind-the-brand-mcdonald-s/25309.
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