Over 10% Of America’s Diet is Fast Food

By admin on March 1, 2013

Fast food is about as American as baseball and (McDonald’s) apple pie. In fact, according to a new study, Americans get a whopping 11% of their calories from burgers, fries and 1,000 calorie taco salads. The research, released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asked participants whether they had eaten any fast food or pizza in the past 24 hours.

The study points to some interesting demographic differences: for one, the older you get, the less likely you are to eat fast food. Ah, the wisdom that comes with age. Younger Americans tend to eat fewer calories from fast food as their income rises — however, income has no correlation to fast food consumption among the over 40 set. Unsurprisingly, obese people eat the most fast food on average.

As shocking as this percentage is, though, it’s not the worst news in the world – this actually is a decrease from previous years. Between 2003 and 2006, Americans ate nearly 13% of their calories at fast food establishments. The 1990s saw a significant surge in fast food consumption – -and this surge is finally beginning to lose its steam. All we can do is hope that, the next time this data comes around, the percentage will drop even more! That, in addition to making healthier eating choices and steering our children away from fast food, of course!

What is you and your family’s your relationship to fast food? Do you eat it regularly? Do you never touch the stuff? Tell us in the comments section!

Truth Is Scary