In 1826, French physician Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said: “Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es”. This translates to: “Tell me what you eat, I will tell you what you are”. His quote is accurate; all cells within the human body were created and are fueled by the food you eat, the water you drink, and even the air you breathe, thus creating you. In today’s world where speed and convenience is everything, society resorts to instant products to keep up, especially in terms of food. Daily diets of fast-food are becoming more common and its effect is clear: fitness levels and well-being are suffering while obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates are rising. Canadians should limit the amount of fast-food consumed regularly as a routine diet of fast-food will lead to preventable health complications. Not only does unhealthy food affect your body and appearance, but also your mind, mood, and overall quality of life. A majority of these chronic issues and diseases can be solved by better nutritional and lifestyle choices, and a simple start is cutting fast-food out of your diet.
It has been proven by scientific research that the food you consume has a direct correlation with your health and well-being. According to a 2014 self-reported survey conducted by StatsCan, 14,222,521 adults and 467,969 youth, or 41% of the Canadian population, are overweight or obese. Also included in a survey was a question about one’s eating habits, and 87% of people who answered that they either consider themselves overweight/obese or have a chronic health concern also answered that they eat fast-food at least three times a week. The relation between junk food consumption and your physical health is undeniable; the more unhealthy meals you eat, the less fit you are. Fast-food meals are devoid of any nutrients you actually need but filled to the brim with empty calories, sodium, sugars, and carbohydrates, causing you to be bloated and inflamed while starving for real nutrition. Your diet should consist mostly of whole foods that provide many of the vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals you need all while balancing your health. There is a line between allowing yourself a treat every once in a while and consistently eating foods that are poisoning your body, and knowing where that line lays is the key to avoiding potential health risks.
Not only does fast-food have an effect on your physical health, but your mental health as well. Like the rest of your body, your brain requires nutrients to fully function and a diet with a surplus of or low in nutrients could potentially lead to numerous complications in the brain. For example, the human brain contains synapses, the junction between nerve cells partially responsible for memory and learning. When a diet consists of excess calories, the brain becomes unable to properly produce normal, healthy synapses, thus negatively impacting cognition. Another brain function affected by excess or insufficient nutrients are ...
