We all know that fast food is not a healthy option when deciding what to eat. There is plenty of well-researched evidence showing that regularly eating fast food can harm a person’s health. Eating a poor quality diet high in these types of foods is linked to a higher risk of obesity, depression, digestive issues, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and early death.
People who eat fast food four or more times a week up their risk of dying from heart disease by 80%. Fast foods create a much higher risk of heart disease because of the high levels of saturated or trans fats found in much of the food. Those fats can clog the arteries and over time contribute to high cholesterol levels.
A well-balanced meal contains nutrients which are necessary for human development. Fast food lacks these essential nutrients which in turn is not giving your body what it needs to thrive.
The high calorie count and sugar levels associated with fast food contribute to increased weight gain. Even small amounts of fast food can increase your calorie intake considerably. When looking to lose weight, dropping fast food from your diet is an absolute must.
Type 2 Diabetes is another problem that can arise when consuming too much fast food. This is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar. Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. A diet high in fast food along with an inactive lifestyle can put you on the fast track to diabetes.
Teaching students at an early age the benefits of eating healthy and avoiding fast food is a great way to lower our youth’s risk of obesity.
Here is a great resource for teaching students the importance of proper nutrition in a fun way.
The Zone™ Fast Food Foolery
Introduce proper nutrition concepts through active play.
Perfect for Health and Nutrition classes, or even as a quick “brain break.” Randomly chosen students begin the game holding one of the 3 included fast food components (cheeseburger, fries, drink). The remaining students try to avoid being tagged by the unhealthy food. If tagged, they must take the food component and try to get rid of it by tagging another student. Game teaches proper eating habits and spatial awareness. Includes: soft drink, loose fries/container, cheeseburger with bun and toppings. Meets national standards 1 – 5. Two or more sets recommended for large class sizes.
