America’s Supersized Problem
For the past decade, obesity has been the attributed cause to the thousands of individuals who are suffering Type 2 diabetes. Many people have begun to address this problem with campaigns to promote awareness and healthy eating habits. On top of that, many have also filed lawsuits against a vast number of food companies such as McDonald’s and Burger King due to their lack of warnings about the harmful nutrients which come with the infamously low-priced meals. In an ideal world, everyone is able to eat what they want without having to worry about their weight. However, in reality, many disputes have arisen which force us to decide who is really at fault for the rising problem of obesity in America. Although it is …show more content…
Current popular items such as the recently released Grand Mac and the Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger have payed the greatest homage to what is rapidly becoming the social norm in the fast food industry. The idea that a hamburger use to only contain 225 calories now seems like fantasy rather than reality. So how do these gargantuan-sized beasts affect our health? Well, the recommended calorie count for an average weight American female is 2,000. A single Big Mac meal today may stack up to around 563 calories according to McDonald’s Nutrition Calculator. With over half of our recommended count covered by a single meal, the rest of the day becomes an impossible feat as many attempts to balance the joys of consuming food with maintaining the recommended amount of calories. Another factor which should be taken into account is the economic value which these supersized portions contain. While many Americans are at least somewhat conscious about what they are eating, the costs of each product are prioritized over the nutritional value. This means that a family of four living at or below the poverty line may not have as much freedom to decide whether or not to eat healthily. However, they are financially liberated as these supersized meals are able to satisfy the entire family without taking too much of a toll on the budget. Eventually, these supersized meals become a normal routine for the …show more content…
While fast food companies are morally obligated to provide healthy food to individuals who order them, they have the freedom to choose what to serve and how to serve it. Through deceptive marketing tactics, supersized portions, and a lack of nutrient information, large corporations such as McDonald’s and Burger King have reigned without regulation over the American appetite. Now we must simply take action; this means even more awareness campaigns and more importantly, demands for accountability. If we can hold the big corporations responsible, we may just be able to enjoy a reality where a trip to McDonald’s doesn’t consist of a 1,600 calorie
For the past decade, obesity has been the attributed cause to the thousands of individuals who are suffering Type 2 diabetes. Many people have begun to address this problem with campaigns to promote awareness and healthy eating habits. On top of that, many have also filed lawsuits against a vast number of food companies such as McDonald’s and Burger King due to their lack of warnings about the harmful nutrients which come with the infamously low-priced meals. In an ideal world, everyone is able to eat what they want without having to worry about their weight. However, in reality, many disputes have arisen which force us to decide who is really at fault for the rising problem of obesity in America. Although it is …show more content…
Current popular items such as the recently released Grand Mac and the Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger have payed the greatest homage to what is rapidly becoming the social norm in the fast food industry. The idea that a hamburger use to only contain 225 calories now seems like fantasy rather than reality. So how do these gargantuan-sized beasts affect our health? Well, the recommended calorie count for an average weight American female is 2,000. A single Big Mac meal today may stack up to around 563 calories according to McDonald’s Nutrition Calculator. With over half of our recommended count covered by a single meal, the rest of the day becomes an impossible feat as many attempts to balance the joys of consuming food with maintaining the recommended amount of calories. Another factor which should be taken into account is the economic value which these supersized portions contain. While many Americans are at least somewhat conscious about what they are eating, the costs of each product are prioritized over the nutritional value. This means that a family of four living at or below the poverty line may not have as much freedom to decide whether or not to eat healthily. However, they are financially liberated as these supersized meals are able to satisfy the entire family without taking too much of a toll on the budget. Eventually, these supersized meals become a normal routine for the …show more content…
While fast food companies are morally obligated to provide healthy food to individuals who order them, they have the freedom to choose what to serve and how to serve it. Through deceptive marketing tactics, supersized portions, and a lack of nutrient information, large corporations such as McDonald’s and Burger King have reigned without regulation over the American appetite. Now we must simply take action; this means even more awareness campaigns and more importantly, demands for accountability. If we can hold the big corporations responsible, we may just be able to enjoy a reality where a trip to McDonald’s doesn’t consist of a 1,600 calorie