There’s no denying the appeal of fast food – it’s affordable, convenient, and in many cases, it even tastes good. With endless to-do lists and not enough time in a day to accomplish everything on them, it’s no wonder why 8 in 10 Americans ear at a fast food restaurant at least once a month. But make no mistake…the small convenience this dining option offers is not worth the price you’ll pay when it comes to your health.
Here are some of the main reasons you should avoid eating fast food altogether:
1. You’ll gain weight
Eating foods that are high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium feels rewarding in the short-term, but can lead to unwanted weight gain and diabetes down the road. Even choices disguised as “healthy options” like salads can cause your waistline to expand over time due to add-ins like high-fat dressings, cheese, and bacon.
2. Fast food is addictive
Believe it or not, it’s possible to become addicted to fast food, just like you can with nicotine or drugs. The salty, sugary, and fatty ingredients cause full-fledged physical cravings that drive you to consume more and more (even if you try to fight it). Don’t let those French fries and milkshakes draw you back in — cut off the potential for an addiction now.
3. You’re not getting any nutrition
If your diet is heavy on fast food, you might be putting yourself on the path to a harmful vitamin deficiency. Most of the menu items at these restaurants, from fried chicken to an excess of white bread, don’t carry the essential fiber, minerals, and healthy fats needed to fuel your body. Instead, you get all of the empty calories that feel good in the moment but leave you weaker in the long run.
4. Depression and anxiety
Food can affect your mental health just as it does your physical health. When you eat too many carbs (like the ones found in fries, pizza, and buns), the lack of essential ingredients for brain functioning can potentially cause anxiety and depression.
5. Digestive problems hit hard
Nothing can ruin the joy of a meal quite like an upset stomach. If you regularly experience things like acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, or heartburn, caffeinated drinks and greasy, high-fat food only make these bodily troubles worse. Not only that, regular consumption of these foods can cause you to develop these issues without having previously experienced them at all! Take a step back and consider how avoiding fast food can keep your stomach strong (without having to reach for an anti-acid).
6. Your heart suffers
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Your taste buds may thank you for eating fast food, but your heart certainly won’t. The tasty, yet damaging agents in fast food contribute to heart disease in different ways: sugar leads to weight gain and obesity, high salt content increases blood pressure, and excessive saturated fat raises cholesterol — all of which puts you at risk for heart problems. In order to keep your heart pumping as strongly as it should, you need to maintain a diet that’s “low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”
Here’s the reality – fast food may be cheap, quick, and delicious, but the rewards pale in comparison to the potential consequences. While it may be hard to part ways with your favorite fast food joint, it might just be the wisest breakup of your life.