Fast food is one of the most commonly consumed food types on the planet. The very quick and great tasting food makes it very easy to get, eat and get addicted to. Fast food outlets like McDonalds, KFC, Burger King and Supermacs are the most common food chains consumed within Ireland.
Fast food may be easy and cheap but there is a catch. It’s high in calories and low in nutrients making it affect nearly all parts of your body. Some affects include acne, headaches, heart disease – but gaining body fat is the most common effect associated with fast food as the food is so high in calories and not very filling meaning you will want more food on top of your original meal. McDonalds is the world’s leading fast-food chain, and its most consumed item is the ‘Big Mac’. Average ‘Big Mac’ meals contain 1,080 calories and the average calorie requirement for a male is roughly 2,000. Most fast food have drinks and sides which can include fires, salads etc. When consumed, your digestive system breaks them down, and the carbs are released into your bloodstream as glucose and can increase blood sugar. In Ireland, a fifth of children are considered to be obese. Dr Francis Finuance previously suggested a tax on fast food to tackle obesity.
Eating fast food is a key part to why so many people are feeling depressed. Eating fast food and refined carbs can lead to depression and can also lead to symptoms of anxiety. The lack of nutrients in a diet can led to physical fatigue and tiredness, which then leads to mental health effects. Foods that are full of things like Omega 3, fatty acids and Vitamin B have been proven to benefit cognitive function. Depriving your brain of the nutrients it needs is going to impact its ability to function properly – which increases your chances of having mental health issues.
