What's In Fast Food?

I ran across an interesting article going over the 10 most common ingredients in fast food. I hate how the site has a "slide" structure to go over their lists, but sometimes they have some interesting items to share.

I'm kind of torn on this. I don't mind the "fake food". There's plenty of people making claims that these things kill you, but if anything it's a slow death. I have little doubt that it certainly doesn't help you.

If you make things at home, you end up having to spend money on freezers, electricity, and time to prepare things to eat. I also think that unless it's frozen food entree's home made food is definitely healthier. You can tell because it tends to spoil more quickly.

On the other hand, fast food is convenient. Restaurant food entails no cleanup, no dirty water into the sewer to go on your bill, no post- and pre-meal efforts. It's relatively inexpensive with no (or little) extra waste, unless you're very conscientious with your home packaging of food or extra "green" in your habits (if you're American, I doubt the majority of you are big with the "green" movement). It usually tastes pretty good if your palate is accustomed to this fare.

I do know that when looking over information on calories and nutrition in restaurant and fast food items they are almost inevitably higher in fat and sodium. Even Panera, one of the healthiest choices for food on the go, comes in high on the numbers here.

Some of the items in the fast food list are scary. But they are what make the food what consumers want. They keep the food from spoiling. They give the food a trademark taste and smell. They enable foods to come to your trays with the accompanying low prices.

Healthy costs money. Fresh vegetables, fruits, good bread...they spoil, so not only are they more expensive to purchase but you often end up throwing out part of it. There's turnover in your pantry. Candy bars, fast food...cheap, long lasting, tastes decent. Bad for you but at least you can afford it.

So I don't know what to think. In a market where business is supposed to be driven by the customer, that would mean that despite the weird chemicals in the foods we eat these companies are making tons of money off giving people what they want.

Does knowing what is in the food deter you from eating there? After all, it's not like it's a big secret that these foodstuffs are considered bad for you. It's widely advertised by health groups and insurance companies, who have a vested interest in not paying your later-life health bills. Doesn't seem to be stopping most people.

Maybe moderation would be the best path to take. What do you think?