I think it would be fair to say that a lot of people have a LOVE-HATE relationship with FAST FOOD. I know I do.

On the one hand, it is easy, quick and usually pretty delicious.

On the other hand, as a mom, I know it is terrible for us and filled with all kinds of unhealthy things like unhealthy fats, sugar, salt, preservatives and chemicals.

But man….sometimes it is just SOOOOO much easier than making dinner at home after a long day of working, homeschooling, household maintenance and all the things we do every day.

So here, I want to just give you and your kids a little info about FAST FOOD so you and your kids can be totally clear on what it is and when you want to use it.

Fast food is usually characterized by ordering from a drive thru or counter, and receiving your food within minutes.

The typical FAST FOOD meal in the US is a burger, fries and a Coke. It’s usually cheap and fast.

It is possible to choose healthier fast food options, you just have to be smart and knowledgeable. The more YOU DEMAND better food, the more fast food companies will provide it!

When fast food first came onto the scene in 1937 with none other than the famous McDonald’s, it was mostly just burgers and fries. Today, fast food can mean a salad bar, a sushi bar, a fresh ingredient burrito bar (Chipotle), or a healthy Greek or Middle Eastern restaurants among many other healthier choices.

The other day I went to a FAST FOOD place and got grilled fish, grilled veggies and rice. Much better than the processed foods of the past! We have A LOT of better choices these days and the KEY is KNOWLEDGE about the food and about what makes for healthier choices. The fast food restaurants will adapt to what people will BUY!

13.8%

Thats the percentage of calories American kids consume EACH DAY from fast food (according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)).

So out of 100% of your kid’s calories per day, almost 14% come from FAST FOOD.

That’s a lot, so here’s the deal…if we aren’t going to cut out fast food altogether, let’s get a good idea of the best things we can get when we just have to hit the drive through.

Quick Ideas for Popular Fast Food Restaurants:

For a longer list of 20 of the healthiest choices at fast food joints, try this website, it’s great! EATTHIS.com.

JACK IN THE BOX

Chicken Fajita Pita

MCDONALD’S

Egg McMuffin

CHICK FILA

As with anything, there are good things and bad things about FAST FOOD. My MISSION is to make sure the kids know what they are eating when they choose it. One thing I just cannot stand is the TRICKINESS of the food industry…and I want to PUNCH BACK by arming the kids WITH KNOWLEDGE!

Remember, these companies are businesses and are trying to make money. If we consumers demand healthier options, they will respond to us!

I want all the kids to start learning the powerful truth that WE have all the POWER here because WE have the MONEY. WE can shape the industry with what we BUY or DON’T BUY. If kids learn this from a young age, the way they look at food will fundamentally change for the better and they will naturally make healthier choices for life!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

PROS of Fast Food:

1. Convenience: Fast food is quick and easy to get, making it a convenient option for people with busy schedules or those on the go.
2. Affordability: Fast food is often cheaper than dining at sit-down restaurants, making it a more budget-friendly option for many people.
3. Variety: Fast food restaurants offer a wide range of menu options, catering to different tastes and preferences.
4. Accessibility: Fast food chains are often found in many locations, making them easily accessible for people in urban and rural areas alike.
5. Consistency: Fast food chains typically maintain consistent food quality and taste across their locations, ensuring customers know what to expect.

CONS of Fast Food:

1. Health concerns: High in calories, saturated fats, sodium, and sugars, which can cause obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
2. Lack of nutritional value: Lacks nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber; high in processed ingredients and low in fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Environmental impact: Fast food production contributes to environmental issues such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation, particularly due to packaging and transportation.
4. Dependency: Eating fast food regularly can lead to a dependency on processed food. Scary! People cook less which hurts their long-term health. (We’re here to change that with Sizzle Kidz Cooking!)
5. Marketing to children: Fast food companies often target children with marketing campaigns, promoting unhealthy food choices and contributing to childhood obesity and related health problems. Very tricky.

Overall, while fast food offers convenience and affordability, it’s important to consume it in moderation and balance it with healthier options like fruits, veggies, lean protein & whole grains.

Start your kid’s education about food with my online mini-course

“Outsmart Big Food, Fast Food & Junk Food!”

Coming Soon! 

All kids should know this stuff!

Click here to learn about BIG FOOD

Click here to learn about JUNK FOOD

Watch This Short YouTube Video With Your Kids to Get Them Thinking About What They Eat!

YouTube: Why Is Fast Food Unhealthy?

We can do this and my hope is that you join this community WITH your kids.

TOGETHER, we can help turn everyone back to using food the way it was intended by nature…to fuel and strengthen us, not weaken and make us sick!

***Watch this new 24 minute documentary by Grace Price, a teenager who watched her grandfather die of cancer and contends that the rates of sugar consumption in America causes increasing cancer rates.

NOTE: Parents, use your own discretion in watching this with your younger kids. I personally would show it to my 8 and up kiddos. There is nothing inappropriate in it, but it addresses more adult-type issues of cancer, healthcare, Big Food ethics etc.