Healthy Foods for Women—Fast food may be working faster than you think

It’s 12:00, and wherever you may be and whatever you may be doing, this signals a somewhat universal chime to our bodies that we need lunch. You can make your lunch at home, or if you’re just not in the mood to have that meal prepared, you probably decide that you’ll go by and grab a quick, sometimes low priced, bite to eat. While you have heard seemingly millions of ads protesting consuming any food from a popular fast food restaurant (ex: as seen in documentaries such as “Super Size Me.”) Eating fast foods can be a concern for anyone based on how often you eat it, but what about women? What we as women eat from a popular fast food restaurant may do more harm than good if you take the time to think about it, and it doesn’t just start with weight gain.

In an article found on USA Today, it is discussed that “women who eat less fruit and more fast foods are less likely to conceive within a year and more likely to experience infertility.” (May 2018). Shocking revelation? Quite possibly, yes. When thinking of the type of fast food you are regularly consuming (ex: Subway), you’d think that you have been making a healthy decision. But if you are taking a cheaper, greasier route, that’s where things can get a tad tricky. The price of these quick meals is something that makes your wallet happy, but in all actuality, it’s costing you your health with each bite and chew.

Eating fast foods is more than just a pregnancy concern as you probably are already aware of. Yes, being a frequent consumer of fast food can affect your body size in a sometimes not so flattering way (depending on how you wish to look). The pounds you gain from eating excess amounts of fast foods can include: reoccurring headaches from the amount of sodium in a single meal, acne, high cholesterol, increase in blood sugar, and also a feeling of puffiness/bloating. Choosing to frequently eat fast food can also affect how you feel about yourself (am I still beautiful?)  and may make you become depressed.

Let’s not forget that with each meal that you buy at your local “burger joint,” you will need a drink to help wash your food down. Will you choose to drink a “courtesy cup of water” or a sugar-filled drink? Hmm, decisions, decisions. While you are pondering that thought, take in to consideration how much of an effect this drink of your choice will react to your body. Will it give me an instant boost of energy? (ex: Mountain Dew) or will it feel…. refreshing? (water).

Take these stats into consideration next time you go out for lunch. It’s ok to eat at your favorite fast food restaurant every once in a while, but just take heed to your current and future health. You can do this by beginning to make slow adjustments (ex: “I’ll just have a small fry and drink instead of a large”) or by switching to healthier food options/healthier restaurants (Subway…or McDonald’s?)  A little bit goes a long way!

Article submitted by Sade Bolling.