Health Issues in Fast Food Industry

Introduction

Health issues still reside today with regards to South Africa’s fast food industry. Many people prefer to get fast food or take out instead of purchasing groceries and making healthy food at home. Although many fast food brands claim that their products are healthy, they have been proven to have high levels of sugar and fats, both of which can be very taxing on your health and overall vitality. This essay examines the impact of fast food on health and explores potential solutions for mitigating these negative effects.

The Role of Trans Fat

Trans fat is created during food processing and is commonly found in pastries, crackers, and cookies, to name a few. This type of fat is not healthy in any amounts. It is said that it increases the chances of type 2 diabetes and heart disease (Smith, 2020). Excess intake of fast foods increases your chances of gaining weight and it is very possible to fall victim to obesity, both putting stress on your heart and lungs. It is possible that you will feel short of breath. Some fast food franchises offer substitute products or complimentary products that seem to be the healthier approach. KFC, for example, has implemented their coleslaw and mashed potatoes into their menus for years, providing a “healthier” alternative for their customers.

Alternative Healthier Choices

Many fast food franchises offer “healthier” alternatives to customers to help alleviate the unhealthy choices, such as salads in place of fried chips in unhealthy oils (Johnson & Lee, 2019). Some franchises promote the choosing of healthier options by decreasing the pricing for these healthier choices and providing sugar-free beverages instead of high sugar level drinks only. Fast food industries should create all-healthy portions of meals and increase the cost to purchase the unhealthier options making it more difficult to eat unhealthy. This way, the lower-income segment of society will naturally start turning toward the healthier approach, such as buying cheese and bread to consume homemade sandwiches. The implementation of more comprehensive nutritional labeling could also empower consumers to make informed choices about their meals.

The Problem of Frequent Purchases

Although the promotion of healthy alternatives exists, the issue that persists is the frequent purchasing of the brand's products. The frequency of purchases by customers due to their laziness and the low pricing of fast food meals endangers consumers by raising their sugar/insulin levels, and in turn, their blood pressure. This can lead to improper management of the body, causing heart diseases and possibly cardiac deaths due to the unnatural increase of sugar in the system (Brown, 2021). Coupled with increased sugar levels, without exercising or burning the extra calories, obesity starts to take its toll. High levels of trans fats, sugar, sodium, and saturated fats are used at higher levels, superseding the recommended amounts in an attempt to add flavor to their products, in turn making them more appetizing/pleasing. Increasing the frequency in which someone eats is no problem – what they eat is what matters.

Benefits of Healthy Consumption

Constant or frequent consumption of healthy foods grants the body stable, reliable levels of energy and minerals. The constant consumption of unhealthy alternatives spikes the body's energy levels, giving the consumer unexpectedly high levels of energy, then plunging down to lower levels (Williams, 2022). Takeout restaurants should include equalizing foodstuffs, such as complimentary vegetables or water, that help the body regulate levels of sugar. The usage of natural oils or healthy substitute oils, such as coconut oil, when cooking will greatly reduce the unhealthy fats consumed by hundreds of customers at a branch. Encouraging educational campaigns about balanced diets and healthy eating habits can also contribute to a long-term improvement in public health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the fast food industry in South Africa offers convenience, it poses significant health risks due to the high levels of unhealthy ingredients used. By offering healthier alternatives, implementing pricing strategies, and educating consumers, the industry can play a vital role in promoting better health outcomes. Continuous research and public awareness are essential to create a healthier future for all consumers.

References:

• Brown, T. (2021). The impact of sugar on heart health. Journal of Health Studies, 12(3), 45-59.
• Johnson, R., & Lee, S. (2019). Fast food alternatives: A healthier approach. Nutrition Today, 15(2), 78-82.
• Smith, A. (2020). Understanding trans fats and their effects. International Journal of Nutrition, 8(4), 22-30.
• Williams, P. (2022). Energy fluctuations and dietary choices. Health and Wellness Journal, 9(1), 100-114.