'll Take A Quarter Pounder With Cheese – Large Fry – Apple Pie – And A Diet Coke

Does that diet coke make you feel less guilty after ordering the quarter pounder and fries? The multi million dollar fast food industry has us right where they want us. They know that we live in a fast paced society and they know that a lot of us are in a hurry. Who can resist the smell of fries cooking and it's so convenient. Fast food obesity is a here and I'm sorry to say it is here to stay. It is true that fast food is a high energy source, however, it is also high in saturated fats and calories. Saturated fats take much longer to digest so the food stays with you much longer.

Fast food restaurants are a popular social gathering place for some teens. It is difficult for any teenager to hang out at a fast food restaurant and not indulge. They also present a convenience for travelers and serve as a pacifier for young children as you run your errands. Fast food child obesity is partially caused by with the lack of exercise after consuming such high energy dense foods.

Most people know in order to lose weight you need to burn more calories than you ingest. A McDonald's quarter pounder, large fries, and an apple pie equals 1440 calories. For an eighteen year old female being 5'5'' and 125 pounds she would have to run 3 hours at 5 miles an hour to burn the equivalent. Since fast food is a convenience and we are in such a hurray. When are we going to have time to get that run in?

More and more fast food restaurants are offering healthier alternatives to their menu. I do admire them for that. It shows that they are aware of the fast food obesity problem. It is up to you to make the right choices because they are not going to take their bread and butter income earners off the menu. Maybe the Caesars salad with grilled chicken is a better choice.