A few years ago, Todd and I decided that we didn't want fast food in our lives. At first it was rough because fast food restaurants are so convienent, quick and cheap. But after an occaisional craving we learned to live without it and never really even gave McDonald's or it's counterparts a second glance. We were not watching our finances as closely then as we are now, so I don't really recall the switch being a big shock for us financially (plus we never ate exclusively at fast food joints...it was occasional).
I have read the articles about fast food and it's relation to obesity. I've also seen the articles that correlate fast food to the rise of obesity. Fast food driven obesity you may call it I guess. I always agreed, but it wasn't until yesterday that I realized exactly how much. I went to hang out with my family yesterday. My brother and his wife give in to the kids and they eat at McDonalds every Sunday...it's their tradition. So I tagged along. I ordered a McChicken sandwich, a small fry and a large drink. I blew over 600 calories on that meal. Almost half of my daily budget for calories (I aim for 1300 calories). Doable, but throws things out of whack and you have to be near PERFECT with your eating the rest of the day.
But the lesson to be learned is not how many calories I ate. I feel as if I actually chose well and was actually ok with my calorie expenditure. No, lets look at the financial expenditure.
The drink....$1......the sandwich, $1....and the small fry, $1.19. I spend $3.19 for my meal. (true dollar menu items....it's actually cheaper to order off the dollar menu in that case apparently) Really? Where else can I eat for that little? $3.19??????? It is tempting to go back....I can't eat anywhere...except the soup kitchen for that little. True there is little or no nutritional value but hell, a full belly for $3.19. No wonder people continue to flock to the place (ok so the food is also a bit addicting)...it's affordable in our economically depressed age. The cheap prices draw people in.......and they are eating WAY TOO MANY Calories. Becuase lets face it.....how many people go in and actually order the McChicken Sandwich and a SMALL fry?????
mf
8 comments:
Wow you did good. I love McDonald's fries. I have not had them in a long time though. Fast food is not on my menu right now, but good for you sticking to the dollar menu.
We quit eating ff as well. My son asked for it as a treat one day and I got McD's mini meal. Chicken sandwich, small fries and a small drink for 2.99. It was like eating salt-there was no flavor. And the tea tasted like it was a week old. Yuck. No more.
for $3 hmmmm 3 dozen eggs, 15 ramen noodles, 2 boxes of pop tarts, even healthy 3 cans of chicken breast, 2 cans of albacore tuna, a pack of nathans hot dogs, or bologna a loaf of bread and a side (maccoroni, chips, canned veggies), a family size ancor/banquet dinner with $1 left over, a tonys pizza. $3 is actually quite a bit. when i was really struggling i had $20 for a week budgeted for food i ate till i ran out then i simply went hungry you learn to bargain shop. i realize i've wandered far afield from your reason for posting, opps my bad! lolol
I admitedly used to eat Burger King for lunch every day when I was in High School. What a dumb dumb dumb decision that was. It didn't really harm me too much then because I was incredibly active at the time, but I would have been so much better off never doing that in the first place. I try to avoid fast food as much as I can now (I haven't been in a few months now) to help me get my own health back on track.
glad to have found you...I am stuck after losing 60 pounds...hoping to get inspired---I quit fast food as well and my husband and I went out to a local pub this week----I had a real hamburger and fries----it was so greasy and so good and I was so sick...it is not worth it.
Fast food and I are so mad at each other. I hope we never kiss & make up.
-Patrick
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Hi... how have you been?
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