Top 5 reasons why you should stop eating fast food

20-01-2021

Yes, fast food is cheap, convenient and addictive. It can seem the best solution for large families, people on the go, or those on a strict budget. However, several studies have shown that eating fast food on a regular basis can harm your health. This is due to the fact that fast food lacks many essential nutrients. Generally, fast food is high in sugar, salt, saturated or trans fats, calories, and other processed ingredients that can have various negative effects on your body. Fast food is highly palatable but contains very little fresh fruit and vegetables, which means it is very low in fibre and other essential nutrients. A low-fibre diet has been linked to a number of health conditions and problems, ranging from constipation and weight gain to colon cancer.

Why you should avoid eating fast food
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Eating fast food once in a while isn�t going to affect your health, but making a habit out of it can end up with a vitamin deficiency, said Shikha Mahajan, holistic nutritionist, and founder of Diet Podium, even as she lists down some negative effects of fast food on the body.

1. Effect on the digestive system and blood sugar: Most fast food snacks, including soda and side snacks, are filled with carbohydrates and little to no fibre. As your digestive system breaks down these foods, the carbohydrates are released into your bloodstream as glucose. As a consequence, blood sugar is rising. This cycle of blood sugar is strongly regulated by the body, and as long as you are stable, the kidneys can tolerate these sugar spikes properly.

2. Effect on weight and the respiratory system: Weight gain can be caused by extra calories from fast food meals. It will escalate to obesity. Obesity increases your risk of breathing problems, including asthma and shortness of breath. The extra pounds may place pressure on the heart and lungs, and signs can crop up even with no exercise. You may notice difficulty breathing while walking, climbing stairs, or exercising.

3. Sugar and fat: Most fast-food meals have added sugar. This indicates not only extra calories but very less nutrients. Most fast-food drinks on their own carry well over 12 ounces. For instance, a twelve-ounce can of soda contains 8 teaspoons of sugar. This is equal to 140 calories, 39 grams of sugar. Trans fat is the fat produced during food processing. Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat you can consume. Eating foods that contain trans fat may increase your bad cholesterol, lower your good cholesterol, and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

4. High sodium level: The mixture of fat, sugar, and a lot of sodium (salt) will make fast food tastier for some people. But high sodium diets can lead to water retention, which is why you may feel puffy, bloated, or swollen after eating fast food. A sodium-high diet is also dangerous for people with blood pressure. Sodium will raise your blood pressure and place tension on your heart and cardiovascular system.

5. Fibre: Fast food is normally fiber-free. This is because fibre is found in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unprocessed foods. The bread used in sandwiches, wraps, and hamburgers is likely to be white bread, almost fibre-free. So, sandwiches, wraps, and other fast food dishes rarely include a significant amount of fibre in your diet.