Written by Michael
Modified & Updated: 30 Dec 2023
Reviewed by Sherman Smith
- First Fast Food Chain: White Castle
- First Franchiser: A&W Root Beer
- First Franchise Restaurant: Howard Johnson
- Low Carb Fast Food: Bunless burgers, rotisserie chicken
- Gluten Free Fast Food Menus: Available online
- Low Sodium Fast Food Tip: Avoid sauces
- Low Calorie Fast Food: Grilled chicken, salads
- Vegan Fast Food: Some menu options at chains
- Mexican Fast Food: Chipotle, Qdoba
- Chinese Fast Food: Panda Express, local restaurants
- History: Fast Food Is So-Called Because It’s Supposed to Be Fast
- Nutrition: Kids’ Meals Don’t Meet Nutrition Standards
- Diet: Salads Top the Healthy Fast Food List
- Diet: Fast Food Is High in Sodium
- Nutrition: Health Magazine Voted Panera as Healthiest Fast Food
- Nutrition: Remove Buns for Low Carb Fast Food
- Diet: Many Fast Food Joints Have Vegan Options
- History: Ancient Romans Ate Fast Food
- Fast Food in the Middles Ages Helped Single People
- White Castle was the First Fast Food Burger
- A&W Root Beer Brought Franchising to Life
- The United States Leads the World in Fast Food
- American Spend Over $160 Billion on Fast Food Yearly
- Sushi is Japanese Fast Food
- Kebab Houses are Middle Eastern Fast Food
- Fast Food Faces Health Criticisms
Fast Food Is So-Called Because It’s Supposed to Be Fast
The 1950s brought a revolution in food – the idea of fast food. The idea was that patrons would order and then quickly be presented with their food, rather than waiting at a restaurant. The drive-thru served to quicken the process even further, allowing the sale of meals packaged to go.
Kids’ Meals Don’t Meet Nutrition Standards
Fast food facts indicate very few kids’ meal options meet the nutrition standards set by the food industry. Though apple slices have become a common side dish option to offer, the different combinations of meal choices are still largely unhealthy.
Salads Top the Healthy Fast Food List
A salad with dressing on the side is a healthy fast food option at many chains. Other possibilities include grilled chicken and sandwiches prepared with fewer sauces and oils. In the United States, chain restaurants are required to list their nutritional information for patrons. Individuals wanting to make sound food choices should inquire where this information can be found before ordering.
Fast Food Is High in Sodium
According to fast food facts, the recommended sodium intake for a healthy adult is 2300 milligrams or less. Fast food utilizes sodium to enhance flavor, often pushing or exceeding this limit. Many fast food places display this information online or in a hidden corner of the restaurant.
Health Magazine Voted Panera as Healthiest Fast Food
Health Magazine considered restaurants’ meal offerings and nutritional information to determine which places provided the healthiest food. Panera was voted number one because it offered several healthy options that would appeal to a variety of tastes. Other restaurants on the list include Jason’s Deli, Au Bon Pain, and Noodles and Company.
Remove Buns for Low Carb Fast Food
One simple fix for cutting out carbs in fast food is to remove the buns from a hamburger, or the roll from a sandwich. Some places will serve hamburgers with lettuce in place of a bun. Jason’s Deli, voted second healthiest fast food place by Health Magazine, will put a sandwich on an organic whole wheat wrap, scaling back on those pesky carbs. Subway sandwich chain will hollow out rolls for fewer carbs and calories.
Many Fast Food Joints Have Vegan Options
Many fast food places have vegan options available, but patrons must do some research first. French fries would typically be vegan, but some fast food chains – such as McDonald’s – include beef fat in their fries in some countries. Websites can help interested customers narrow down which fast food joints have vegan-friendly fare that isn’t just another salad.
Ancient Romans Ate Fast Food
According to fast food facts, the Ancient Romans relied on food vendors for many meals. They would grab some bread soaked in wine in the mornings and later dine on vegetables at the popina, a type of restaurant.
Fast Food in the Middles Ages Helped Single People
Single people in the Middle Ages generally couldn’t afford to have a kitchen at home. Luckily, vendors sold cooked meats and treats like pies and waffles, making it easy for them to grab some fast food close to home.
White Castle Was the First Fast Food Burger
At just five cents a burger, White Castle introduced the fast food hamburger to a hungry nation in 1916. Five years later, they introduced the drive thru, making fast food even faster. The goal was to provide a high volume of sales quickly at a low cost.
A&W Root Beer Brought Franchising to Life
Fast food facts show that A&W Root Beer spread their cola syrup around the nation by introducing franchising. This allowed businessmen to invest in the syrup and serve it in their towns. Howard Johnson took franchising a step further, selling the right to open a restaurant with a set reputation, menu and advertising.
The United States Leads the World in Fast Food
With over 4.1 million Americans employed by fast food restaurants, and restaurants in over 100 countries, US fast food companies are the largest in the world. McDonald’s, Starbucks and Pizza Hut have become global American icons.
American Spend Over $160 Billion on Fast Food Yearly
The convenience of fast food is paying off for investors. Americans spend more than $160 billion of fast food yearly. The ease of ordering from home by telephone and online has helped the fast food sector grow, making it even easier to get one’s hands on quick grub.
Sushi Is Japanese Fast Food
Fast food facts tell us that in Japan, bento boxes featuring sushi, a popular dish of raw fish wrapped in seaweed and rice, is a fast food staple. The popularity has spread to other countries, including the United States, where bento boxes can be found in the prepared foods sections of grocery stores as well as Japanese restaurants.
Kebab Houses are Middle Eastern Fast Food
The kebab is a particularly convenient fast food as it is easy to eat with the hands. Popular in the Middle East, the cuisine has spread across the world and picked up local flair as people change which cuts of meat and vegetables will be skewered.
Fast Food Faces Health Criticisms
Fast food chains have been mired in claims of poor food quality, negative health effects, and poor working conditions. With a dramatic increase in the levels of obesity in America, fast food is often pointed to as one of the main culprits. Large portion sizes and unhealthy foods have been blamed for the increase. Fast food chains have responded by cutting back on some portion sizes and offering healthier options as alternatives.
Fast Food Facts – Facts about Fast Food Summary
Fast food has been around since Ancient Rome. It originated as street vendors sold food primarily to those who didn’t have kitchens. In modern times, the notion of fast food was popularized by White Castle, who introduced the world to the fast food burger and the drive-thru. Fast food is often maligned for being unhealthy and high in sodium. It is even blamed for America’s obesity epidemic. There are fast food items that are healthy, vegan, or gluten-free, but often those choices must be researched beforehand.
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