There may not be a free lunch, but there are plenty of cheap lunches. Fast food is everywhere. Whether you're driving in the heart of a city or on a remote, lonely highway, one thing remains constant: the golden arches are always nearby. For better or worse, fast food is an unden

There may not be a free lunch, but there are plenty of cheap lunches. Fast food is everywhere. Whether you're driving in the heart of a city or on a remote, lonely highway, one thing remains constant: the golden arches are always nearby.

For better or worse, fast food is an undeniable part of Western culture and diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 36% of U.S. adults ate fast food on any given day between 2013 and 2016. Fast forward a few years, and fast food has actually become more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. When indoor dining presents potential health risks, drive-thru windows are even more attractive.

The impact of the pandemic shows no signs of slowing down, either. If anything, America's demand for fast food continues to grow. In the first quarter of 2021, customer traffic at fast food restaurants increased by 33.06%.

It’s easy to explain why fast food is so popular. It's convenient, affordable, and in most cases delicious. It also transcends income brackets to a large extent. A study published in the journal Economics and Human Biology analyzed the eating habits of 8,000 Americans across income levels and found negligible differences in fast food consumption. Across all income levels, 79% of subjects ate fast food at least once a week.

Of course, fast food has a dark side. The adverse health effects of regularly consuming this highly processed food are well documented. Today's tastes and conveniences lay the foundation for tomorrow's obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

In addition to the obvious nutritional concerns, fast food is associated with a number of surprising and unexpected negative side effects. For example, a study published in Psychological Science reported a link between exposure to fast food and impatience. Another research project published in Public Health Nutrition found that people who eat fast food are 51 percent more likely to feel depressed.

Fast food may even drain your brain. A study published in Clinical Pediatrics found that eating more fast food is associated with lower academic performance in middle school.

Starting to reconsider today’s lunch plans? We're just scratching the surface. Read on to learn five uncomfortable truths about the fast food industry.

1

Fast food wrappers are full of 'forever chemicals'

A study released this spring by Consumer Reports found that wrappers and packaging materials used by several national fast food chains contained large amounts of a chemical called PFA (all Fluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals.

PFA are also known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment but persist for thousands of years. These chemicals are known to accumulate in animals, the environment, and even humans.

"We know these substances can migrate into the food you eat," Justin Boucher, an environmental engineer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit research organization in Switzerland, told Consumer Reports. "Clearly, direct exposure."

PFA The health effects of exposure are still not fully understood, but the CDC has called PFA a "public health concern." Various research projects have linked PFA to fertility problems, child development problems, increased risk of cancer and weakened immune responses.

In the fast food world, PFA is used to stop grease and water from penetrating wrappers and packaging. After testing 118 food packaging products sold in the New York tri-state area in 2021, researchers reported that some of the worst PFA violations were Nathan's Famous bag for side, McDonald's fried bags, Chick- Sandwich wrappers from fil-A, chip bags from Taco Bell, and cookie bags from Arby's.

2

Fast food is increasingly unhealthy

Over the years, various fast food chains have introduced healthier menu options such as salads and fruits. One might think this means today's fast food menus are healthier than they were a few decades ago, but that's not necessarily the case.Fast food has become increasingly unhealthy over time.

Scientists at Boston University analyzed the menus of 10 popular fast food chains from 1986, 1991, and 2016. They found that most fast food entrees, sides and desserts contain significantly more calories and sodium today than they did in the 1980s or 1990s. Portions have also increased. There may be more menu options, but the overall nutritional quality of fast food continues to decline.

"Our research provides some insight into how fast food is helping to exacerbate the ongoing problem of obesity and related chronic diseases in the United States. Although fast food restaurants offer a vast array of options, some of which are healthier than others, calories over time , portion sizes and sodium levels overall have worsened (increased) and remain high," said lead researcher Megan A. McCrory.

3

More Chemicals

PFA isn’t the only chemical you should worry about when it comes to fast food. We’ve covered “Forever Chemicals,” now let’s move on to “Chemicals Everywhere.”

Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals used to make plastics more durable. They are called "ubiquitous chemicals" because they are found in a variety of products, such as shampoo, soap, vinyl flooring and toys. Importantly, phthalates are also used in food packaging and food processing equipment.

Similar to PFA, they have been linked to many health problems, such as autism, , cancer, and neurodevelopmental problems.

What does this have to do with fast food? A 2021 study conducted at George Washington University and published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology found that phthalates and other plasticizers are widely present in fast food dishes.

Some phthalates have been banned in some products, so manufacturers use the "alternative plasticizer " instead. The only problem is that these alternative chemicals are under-researched. We don’t know what effects, if any, they have on people after exposure.

"We found that phthalates and other plasticizers are widely present in prepared foods from U.S. fast food chains, a finding that means many consumers are ingesting potentially unhealthy chemicals during their meals," lead study author Lariah Edwards said. "Stricter regulations are needed to help keep these harmful chemicals out of the food supply."

The study's authors analyzed 64 menu items (chips, pizza, burritos) from six different fast-food restaurants wait). Specific names of brands were not included, but the researchers noted that their work included common burger chains, pizza chains and Tex-Mex chains. All told, 81 percent of the fast food samples examined contained a phthalate called DnBP, while another 70 percent contained the phthalate DEHP. Meanwhile, 86 percent of the foods studied contained an alternative plasticizer called DEHT.

Why do fast food contain phthalates? Researchers explain that these chemicals often enter fast food from food handling gloves, conveyor belts and pipes.

4

Fast food looks can be deceiving

Fast food ads make burgers, wraps, and sides look absolutely mouth-watering. There are no soggy or crumbly fast food burgers on TV. However, the reality of fast food is often disappointing.

In fact, the more you peel back the curtain on the world of fast food, the more and more clear it becomes that things are rarely as they seem. For example, did you know that Ireland stipulates that Subway bread cannot legally be called "bread" due to its high sugar content? This may sound like a fake title, but it's true. The total sugar content of Subway bread is 10% by weight of flour.

Another example: The vast majority of "grill marks" you see on fast food burgers and sandwiches are fake, burned off by a rotisserie machine rather than an actual grill.

Having said that, let’s give credit where credit is due. Burger King is one of the few fast food brands that doesn't lie when it says they flame grill its beef (but it might be lying about the size of its Whoppers). Chick-fil-A menu items also have real barbecue markings.

5

Fast food targets children

A recent poll from the University of Michigan shows that one in five American parents admit that their children are eating more fast food now compared to pre-pandemic days. But long before 2020, kids had been begging mom and dad to stop at the drive-thru.

Historically, the fast food industry has targeted children through the use of toys, colorful advertising, and partnerships with popular media. That’s not even mentioning the children’s play areas built into fast food restaurants. It’s no exaggeration to say that the entire industry caters to kids.

A study published in PLOS ONE concluded that fast food ads aimed at children emphasize prizes and movie tie-ins far more than food.

Another report, also published in PLOS ONE, even found that fast food ads for children often contradict self-regulatory guidelines set by the Better Business Bureau. Food marketing to children is supposed to emphasize healthy choices, but after watching some of the McDonald's and Burger King commercials aimed at children, a group of kids barely remembered anything about the ads other than the toys. Younger participants only remembered healthy foods shown in ads, such as fruit and milk, less than 10 percent of the time.

Recent research published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health also shows that McDonald's appears to intentionally target and focus on children living in low-income countries. Scientists found that the chain's Instagram advertising campaigns in low-income countries featured more child-friendly posts, giveaways and price promotions. Conversely, low-income countries also produce fewer marketing posts on Instagram describing healthy habits.

"As social media use grows, social media advertising by fast food companies may have an unprecedented impact on dietary choices, particularly in low-income countries," the study concluded. "By targeting certain subsets with ads and price promotions aimed at children, McDonald's social media advertising could exacerbate health care problems in the world's most vulnerable countries."