Introduction
Who does not like to get a different taste on their taste buds? Food is definitely and innermost indulgence for everyone. If it tastes the way a person likes and can be prepared in a matter of minutes to serve one’s hunger, it becomes even more of a delight. Fast foods, in a way, satisfy both of these criteria in a very effective manner. Fast foods are probably the most popular foods all around the world. Almost every cosmopolitan city resident recognizes big fast food joint names like Subway, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s etc. (BBC, 2006). Fast foods are popular, easy to consume, cost effective and very fast to cook. However, there is great opposition from the healthy food community regarding the extensive popularity and consumption of fast foods. This article is a discussion of how fast food has become a revolution of sorts in the contemporary world and how against all odds it remains popular around the globe.
Discussion
Fast foods refer to a class of foods that require very less time for preparation and serving. Fast food culture though popularized in the United States in1950s was present since the rise of culture and community (Jackal, 1999). Ready to eat food and eating out was a culture closely followed in ancient Roman cities that thrived as cosmopolitan centers of that era. Food was eaten in simple eateries known as “popinos” in these Roman cities. Cities like Paris, London, and Venice also accepted a very mild form of fast food, the bakery culture (Farrel, n.d.). Even pilgrims of economically constrained individuals depended a lot on readily available and cheap fast food, as they could not afford exquisite cuisines and expensive lodgings en route to their destinations (Farrell, n.d.). In fact, the very popular term fish and chips derived from coastal towns of England that would cater these to the people. Therefore, fast food has always been a part of the life style for people of the world throughout the ages. Each area, with its own individual collection of fast to serve and quick to eat cuisines to serve to its customers, developed its own individuality based on them.
In the present contemporary world, fast food refers to any and every food article that can be served over the counter within a short time of placing an order. In addition to this quick service, drive through fast food joints make fast food an even more attractive options for the people who have very less time to spare but a big hunger to satisfy (Jackal, 1999). Fast food joints with popular names and food products have come up all over the world, many forming great franchises and turning fast food cooking into a booming industry.
Fast food joints not only provide food that tastes good in a very short time, but also serve as a great economic asset (Talwar, 2003). Many are employed in such fast food joints as servers, cleaners and delivery men and women. Apart from big fast food banners, street vendors have an opportunity to earn a good living by providing fast food to the people who love them.
Even with its great economic advantages, there are speculations regarding fast food as becoming popular, especially with the younger generation. Accusations are made that fast food culture makes the young obese and unfit, ushering in a wide range of health complications. Nutritionists argue that teenagers are particularly at risk from regularly eating fast foods and drinking soft drinks. They say that fast foods are made up of substances that may lead to fat and cholesterol accumulation in the body; added to this the sweetening ingredients of soft drinks, ice creams and other sweet fast foods, which lead to accumulation of excessive sugar in teenagers’ bodies, leading to increases chances of diabetes in the long run (Sallis and Glanz, 2006). Family hygiene experts also argue that fast food joints take away quality family times that are otherwise reserved for family meal times (Sallis and Glanz, 2006).
The argument is true that fast foods do contain higher quantity of fats, sugar and oil. However, eating at a fast food joint is completely a choice of an individual. A person gets served what he or she wishes to eat at a fast food joint, and those who do not like eating fast food can simply avoid it. Apart from this fast food industry does not promote fast food as a staple food for the people. It is the people who choose to eat out in such joints.
Where family health is concerned, quality time comes not just at the dinner but round the clock. With increase in the corporate culture people have less time to stay at home and spend time with their families. Frequent flying is a very common scenario as well. When there is very less chances of availability of a member who can cook a wholesome meal at home, people tend to turn to fast food to satiate their hunger. As far as good family time is concerned, eating at a fast food joint table with your family technically solves a similar purpose as a dinner, albeit the semi-formal atmosphere that the family must maintain when outside.
Conclusion
In a very simple way, fast foods have been a part of human community history and will remain to do so as long as communities survive. Fast food provides quick food, a standard taste for typical fast foods of different areas, variety of flavors, and lucrative opportunities of profit. Whether an individual chooses to eat fast food or not is upto his or her own liking. No one can force others to make choices of their food habits. Therefore, it is sure that fast foods are here to stay.
References
BBC (2006). "Eel and pie shop". British Broadcasting Channel. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5301158.stm
Jakle, J (1999). Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-6920-X.
Farrell, J. P. (n.d.). "The Evolution of the Quick Service Restaurant". A Management Consultant @ Large. Retrieved from http://jpfarrell.blogspot.com/2007/11/evolution-of-quick-service-restaurant.html.
Sallis, J.F. and Glanz, K. (2006). "The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Eating, and Obesity in Childhood". The Future of Children Volume 16, Number 1, Spring 2006 pp. 89-108 | 10.1353/foc.2006.0009. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/foc/summary/v016/16.1sallis.html
Talwar, J (2003). Fast Food, Fast Track: Immigrants, Big Business, and the American Dream. Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-4155-8.
