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Over 10% Of America’s Diet is Fast Food

What is you and your family’s your relationship to fast food? Do you eat it regularly? Do you never touch the stuff?

Katie Waldeck
February 21, 2013
2:33 pm

Fast food is about as American as baseball and (McDonald’s) apple pie. In fact, according to a new study, Americans get a whopping 11% of their calories from burgers, fries and 1,000 calorie taco salads. The research, released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asked participants whether they had eaten any fast food or pizza in the past 24 hours.

The study points to some interesting demographic differences: for one, the older you get, the less likely you are to eat fast food. Ah, the wisdom that comes with age. Younger Americans tend to eat fewer calories from fast food as their income rises — however, income has no correlation to fast food consumption among the over 40 set. Unsurprisingly, obese people eat the most fast food on average.

As shocking as this percentage is, though, it’s not the worst news in the world – this actually is a decrease from previous years. Between 2003 and 2006, Americans ate nearly 13% of their calories at fast food establishments. The 1990s saw a significant surge in fast food consumption – -and this surge is finally beginning to lose its steam. All we can do is hope that, the next time this data comes around, the percentage will drop even more! That, in addition to making healthier eating choices and steering our children away from fast food, of course!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Randall Smith on February 26, 2013 at 7:37am

I hardly ever eat "fast food", but those advertisements sure are tempting! Currently, I'm trying to eat more "Mediterrean".

Permalink Reply by Future on February 26, 2013 at 8:03am

There were periods in my life when I ate a lot of fast food, because I was poor and it was much cheaper than eating healthy. Now I'm in a much better financial situation, and I rarely ever touch the stuff. When I do, I notice that my body wants for it to be expelled as quickly as possible ... if you catch my drift. It's like my intestines open up a shortcut to my colon. =^(

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on February 26, 2013 at 1:07pm

I almost never eat fast foods for three reasons. I know it's not healthy, my budget can't afford it, and I'm wary of how clean the people are that prepare it.

It's easy for me to abstain because my parents could'nt afford to do it very often, so I never got in the habit.

Just about the only exception is Pizza Hut's Crispy Crust Garlic Chicken Pizza. Delicious! But I only buy one of those every couple of years. $10 just hurts my frugal brain too much!

Permalink Reply by Future on February 26, 2013 at 2:34pm

I went to the grocery store a couple days ago, and a head of iceberg lettuce was $2.49, the cheapest apple I could find was $2.99/lb, and english muffins were on sale for $2.99 (for a six pack.) I can barely afford to eat healthy. The McD's dollar menu is not only convenient and fast, but it is affordable. Disgusting and unhealthy, but fast and affordable.

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on February 26, 2013 at 3:16pm

Yes, Future, the price of most foods at the grocery store hurts me a lot also, so I tend to eat a lot of inexpensive food, like beans and split peas.

I like split pea soup and the dried peas were only 33 cents per pound until a few months ago, when they jumped to 67 cents. But, even at that price, they still make a lot of soup for a little cost.

Luckily, I like chicken nearly as much as pork and better than beef, so most of the meat I eat is chicken at 99 cents/lb.

Then, I grow as much of my own food as possible on my small property, and keep looking for a cheap acre or two to move to where I can grow much more. If I make it there, I plan on growing lots of fruit & veggies, as well as rabbits and fish.

Permalink Reply by Pat on February 26, 2013 at 6:55pm

Idaho, funny you should mention Pizza Hut. I've always thought the best thing to do with a Pizza Hut pizza is when you get it home, throw out the pizza and eat the box. However, I recently did a divorce where I represented the wife. The ex-husband, who is the manager of the local Pizza Hut, was having pictures taken of himself - naked - on the table where they prep the food to be cooked. I had the photos, and the divorce was settled real easily. I realize this can happen at any place that serves food. But, every time I think of Pizza Hut, I can't help but think of the "special sauce" on the food, and go back to to eating apples, grapes, oranges, and salads I prepare myself.

P.S. I happen to love lentil soup!

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on February 26, 2013 at 7:01pm

Oh boy, I may never eat a Pizza Hut pizza again, thinking of that special sauce.

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on February 26, 2013 at 7:06pm

From what little experience I've had eating at fast-food places, it seems the food from the same name joint can taste completely different from place to place.

There is one Pizza Hut in town that I ordered my favorite pizza from, and it tasted mediocre. I loved the food in a california Taco Bell I went to, but the one here has tasteless food.

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on February 26, 2013 at 10:19pm

Oh wow Pat - I certainly won't want to eat out after that story.

Permalink Reply by Future on February 27, 2013 at 8:54am

My cheap go to breakfast is Dannon yogurt that I put chopped up celery in. May sound weird, but it actually goes well together with all flavors and it's cheap and healthy. 80 calories, 0 fat, and about 60 cents per serving.

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on February 27, 2013 at 9:36am

I wrote that down to remind me to try it.

Permalink Reply by Luara on February 26, 2013 at 5:37pm