Fast Food Facts

Millions of Americans and Europeans are eating and enjoying fast food everyday. It shouldn’t be surprising that the three main reasons people eat fast food is because it’s convenient, fast and less expensive. And, with our economy still in poor shape, these three factors keep many us returning to fast food. Most fast food is tasty and cheap, but some have a bland taste, have too many calories and cost more. But, the really big question many have is, what exactly is fast food and what is it doing to us, the consumer?

Fast food is food that is prepared and served quickly. While any meal that is prepared quickly can be considered to be fast food, the term usually refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with low quality preparation and served to the customer in a packaged form. The words, “fast food” was recognized and put in a dictionary, Merriam-Webster, in 1951. It may be hard for some to comprehend that fast food has been around so long.

America has been known for years as a “fast food nation.” And, we’ve earned this title well because it is a known fact that one out of every four Americans eat fast food. Fast food is indeed a cheap way to eat but it is sad to say, that it is not often the healthiest way to eat.

Actually, fast food did not originate in America; it has been a big part of all mankind for a long time. Ready cooked food that is food for sale has been closely connected with urban development. Cities in Ancient Rome had street stands that sold wine and bread. In East Asia cities the food favorite then was the “noodle shop.” In the Middle East flatbread and falafel are popular today. Fast food dishes that are popular online games in India are vada pay, panipuri and dahi vada. In West Africa there are road stands around large cities that continue to sell a large variety of ready-to-eat, char-grilled meat sticks—known as brochettes.