Fast Food

            In my childhood, eating out was not a common scene. As a kid, I announce my hunger to my parents’ in an effort for them to take us to McDonalds or any fast-food restaurant. Yet they always had the same response, “There’s food at home, you can wait until then.” This response would always irritate me to the point where I would cry out of anger for not satisfying my craving. On rare occasions, they took us to a restaurant or a McDonald’s. Usually, we would go to a Denny’s or an IHOP after Sunday church. I suppose, as a child, I did get what I wanted to an extent. I struggled with obesity all my life and looking back it was a struggle where I didn’t put up much of a fight. I was showing addiction characteristics towards these foods. I would go on tantrums when I didn’t obtain a happy meal from McDonald’s, or candy bars from the store. It was the complete opposite when I did get my hands on them, eating the mouth-watering chicken nuggets was like quenching a thirst. I felt like I needed them to survive. My parents worked long and hard and by the time they got home were too tired to deal with us. The last thing they wanted to hear was screams of an upset 6 year old, so they pleased me.

            Now at 22, I know that a lot of these products are harmful and for a while I was eating greens and fresh foods; little to no fast-food or processed foods. I even cut out all juices and sodas, and drank nothing but water. I did notice a difference in the way I felt on a daily basis and it was great; but, it does cost more to eat healthy. At the moment, I am not earning my regular wage and am in a budget so if I can feed myself for five dollars, I will. My older brother has gotten me into the habit of eating out on a constant basis. We go to Chilies, Fridays, Hook-Burger, or Toppers. It is the only way that my brother and I get to spend time together; even so, we both get fed up with the persistent foods and crave home-made food. With the change of eating habits I have today, I have noticed a change in my overall mood and a laziness feeling. I have put on several pounds, and not being able to work out due to my back problems has affected my confidence level. I can see the grasp fast-food industry has on individuals. The reading has shown me how it had me at such an early age and how difficult it is to break free from the hold. It is like a drug and those that are in the grasp are addicts to the problem. It’s a constant struggle to avoid the fast-food establishments because they are all around us and growing exponentially.