Is Junk Food Really Cheaper Analysis

Improved Essays
Mark Bittman argues that junk food can be just as expensive if not more expensive then good food. His argument is presented to his readers in “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper” an essay written by Bittman. Bittman tries to convince his audience by connecting the issues with his readers. He then provides his readers with a logical and reasonable argument that makes them re-think if junk food really is cheaper or easier. Bittman confirms his argument by using statements from other creditable sources Bittman’s argument sends a good and convincing message because it lets people know that the concept “junk food is easier and cheaper” is not always the case. With obesity on a rise its important that people know there is healthier options for less money. …show more content…
Logos is an author’s way of persuading their audience by using logic, and reasoning. Readers are more likely to agree with an author’s argument if they believe the author provides a logical explanation for their argument. Bittman makes several statements that capture the reader’s attention and gives them something to consider. In attempt to shut down the excuses that junk food is easier and faster than cooking Bittman says “if you can drive to McDonald’s you can drive to Safeway” (Bittman 661). This statement gets his readers thinking and puts a stop their arguments as well as making them feel guilt. Another way Bittman displays logos in his essay is when he states, “The alternative to soda is water, and the alternative to junk food is not grass-fed beef and greens from a trendy farmers’ market, but anything other than junk food” (pg. 661). Bittman suggests that “rice, grains, pasta, beans, fresh vegetables, canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, bread, peanut butter” (pg. 661) would be a healthier alternative to junk food. These alternatives provide his readers with healthier options to eat that won’t break the

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    They think of it as an unnecessary purchase if it is not essential to building upon their lives. However, few people simply can not afford to implement healthier foods as a list of necessities. On the contrary, eating a healthier whole foods diet compared to eating out or eating junk food will not cost that much more in comparison. For the truth is that when you include the costs of health problems caused by eating unhealthy, it is much more beneficial to eat healthier foods. Eating healthier truly does matter because it can extend a happier life and change everything.…

    • 832 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Several individuals believe that fast food chains sell cheap food; the claims still need to be proven by the companies selling these food items. The population with lower income is usually the one that ends up suffering due to claims and rumors whether fast food is really cheaper or not. The article "is junk food really cheaper?" should be considered for PopMatters top prize for persuasive essay because the information provided in this essay can be beneficial to the public who like to eat on the road more often than they should. One of the weaknesses of Bittman’s argument in the article is when he makes a claim that will lead to a domino effect.…

    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many people prefer fast food instead of homemade food. The reason is that fast food saves you time in addition it is cheaper and has the same value as the homemade food. Fast food companies should not be blamed for people’s obesity. Fast food companies are not responsible for our health issue. Therefore, people should control their eating habits, of course, their children too.…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The resulting income should be earmarked for a program that encourages a sound diet for Americans by making healthy food more affordable and widely available” (Bittman). Although the author has a good point because yes you could tax unhealthy food but in reality it has one fatal flaw. Taxing food because you do not want people to consume it is unconstitutional. People are free to eat whatever they want. Americans are not known for liking high taxation especially when it come to what they eat.…

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Michael Pollan is critical of food processing and says it is “a source of society’s health problems” (508). Michael Pollan believes that it is because of the amounts of salt, sugar and fat those are put into foods that cause obesity. He also explains that restaurants and grocery stores came up with what they call “wholesome” foods that claim to be healthy but in reality are not. Pollan believes that one can solve this problem by replacing these foods “through public education and regulation-with fresh, unprocessed, local season real foods” (508). Freedman is critical of the views of Michael Pollan but agrees with restaurants that are trying to come up with ways to include healthier ingredients into their foods.…

    • 892 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Fast food only creates problems for people and eating healthier can eliminate those problems. Fast food may seem cheap, but eating healthier can be cheap too if one studies up, looks for deals, and shops smart. Americans can break this fast food craze and jump on the healthy bandwagon. It’s much easier than they think, but eating fast food hinders that. Americans know the consequences of this food, they should not ever eat it and they should focus more on consuming healthier…

    • 1176 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the article, “Is Junk Food Really Cheaper,” Bittman states that it is cheaper to buy healthier food from the grocery store than it is to eat as fast food. Mark Bittman uses rhetorical appeals known as Logos, Pathos, and Ethos and rhetorical fallacies throughout his article. He then supports his claim by stating evidence from other credible sources and his own opinion. The purpose of this article is to inform and encourage parents or young adults to cook more instead of eating out. The author informs us about our way of thinking and that real cultural changes are needed to be made.…

    • 994 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    When I first saw this I thought it was a little humorous. But Hill has a great point, doing this can help us consume more vegetables and less meat without giving up the foods we love. It provides an obtainable diet plan that can help stop contribution to fast foods, yet allow us to obtain some in moderations (Hill, Why I’m a Weekly Vegetarian, video). Another alternative to stray from unhealthy habits was shown in “Sustainable Seafood” by Barton Seaver. He also suggests that even though eating fish is healthier than meats such as chicken and beef, vegetables are a healthier alternative.…

    • 1545 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Usually a reason for choosing to eat unhealthy is because it can be more convenient. Even the typical places to grab a quick, inexpensive meal, now serve healthier options as well. When making a visit to the local…

    • 948 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    If more and more people kept demanding these things as in healthier choices that don’t consist of fattening and poisoning chemicals in them then maybe those restaurants you love will change. I get that maybe it’s not as cheap and you love the unhealthy things in these foods that make them so good but you 're worth it because you deserve to live a happy and healthy life. Fast Food companies are spending $4.2 billion dollars…

    • 1113 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays