Societies have subsisted for thousands of years off foods – some of which have been dubbed “staple crops” to individual regions – or crops that prove vital to a societie’s efficiency and survival. The Chinese had rice, the Aztecs had tomatoes and quinoa, and now, the United States has Big Macs and Baconators. Some of these foods are clearly healthier than others. Could the inherently unhealthy nature of fast food in this country lead us to a french fry and lard filled grave? While fast food remains a health threat to people who consume it regularly, I believe it is a contribution to society due to its economic potential and its ease of access. 
       

Numerous studies have been done on the long term effects of fast food to people who eat it regularly. Without delving these too deeply, several conclusions can be made. Since its advent in the Fifties, fast food has helped to create the substantial problem with obesity our society has become familiar with today. In many fried food items, such as Wendy’s french fries and McDonald’s chicken nuggets, high amounts of salt and calories saturate and fatten those who eat them. If so unhealthy, why do many choose to eat this food? First, the speed at which these restaurants operate increases their desirability. When there is no time to eat anywhere else, it might be the only lunch option for people. People are also drawn to McDonalds, Burger King, etc. by the taste of their foods. The delectable fattiness of a juicy burger appeals to millions as chicken nuggets become a hankering for children. With dozens of different fast food restaurants, and expanding menus, there seems to be something on the menu for everyone.
       

An immediate effect of fast food is the speed at which food can be made and delivered to customers – thus optimizing the lives of those who eat it. To say in short, fast food has made eating incredibly easy. It not only provides a simple way to get food quick, but it is incredibly versatile when compared to other restaurants and eateries. Drive-thrus have lightened up crowds inside the restaurants themselves and added an even quicker way for people to satisfy their hunger. This efficiency has allowed people to get more sleep in the morning as well. Before fast food, a person working an eight-hour shift needed twenty minutes to cook and eat breakfast each morning and another ten minutes to pack a lunch. If they would choose to buy lunch at work, options were usually limited and expensive. When fast food becomes an choice, people can drop by the drive-thru on their way to work for breakfast and later find the nearest McDonald’s or Burger King for a quick, cheap lunch. This has helped to ameliorate some of the morning hurriedness in some households, for picking up breakfast at a drive-thru and buying a burger on their lunch break is a much quicker and cheaper process.
       

Few businesses offer a better start to the workforce for teenagers and young adults than fast food. The job is not too difficult, and relatively systematic in nature; however, it is not too much like a factory which could provoke long term health issues. While pay is not significant from the fast food business, it allows first time workers to begin managing their economics before college – and important skill to have entering adult life. And with so many fast food joints in every town and new ones seemingly spawning daily, workers are increasing needed for the jobs. Fast food helps put money back into our economy as well. Thus, people who consume fast food put money into the businesses, allowing them to open new restaurants in more places. Fast food is a large business across the entire country, and banning it will hurt the thousands that workers who toil every day. In addition to fast foods efficiency and importance to our economy, a recent effect to fast food is the arrival of healthy items on the restaurants’ menus.
       

Due to the widespread criticism of fast foods’ malignant health effects, joints have added healthy items to their menus. For example, McDonalds serves oatmeal as part of its breakfast menu. For beverages, low-fat milk can be purchased and the option of water is available as well. With the added scrutiny, the restaurants have added nutrition facts including calorie statistics and sugar content. McDonalds has calorie numbers written on their menu and provide more detailed facts for each item available.

Whether one believes fast food produces mainly positive or negative effects, it is hard to deny that fast food is increasingly becoming America’s “staple crop.” Seemingly every section of every town contains these restaurants. It is true that consistent consumption of fast food – particularly unhealthy fast food – can cause weight gain and other health problems. But I believe the positive aspects outweigh the negatives. The the efficiency, ease of access, economic prowess, and healthy menu options, fast food has contributed and will continue to add to the society we live in.