fast food or homemade food essay

Free Essay Samples for Academic Success | EssaysDot.com

A collection of free essay samples, college essay examples and sample research papers for your studies.

Homemade Cooking vs Fast Food Essay

Homemade cooking is one of the most vital elements of the normal life of any human. It is necessary to admit that people need food not only to receive nutritious elements but also to deal with hunger and to satisfy the moral need of eating something delicious. It is not a secret that homemade cooking, especially for a family of several members, is not a simple task; it requires a lot of preparation and effort in order to cook something delicious and edible. In addition, the pace of life several decades ago was completely different from the modern one. Therefore, the fast food chains and the fast food itself started to spread across the planet rapidly. It was an instant hit because there were not any inconveniences regarding the fast food, it was cheap, people did not have to wait for the food for too long, and people did not need to prepare for the fast food, as the employees of the café did everything. The same aspects are present in the modern world. However, in recent years, many people have become concerned about the quality of fast food and its influence on health, making it one of the most debatable topics in the modern era. At the same time, homemade cooking has not lost its popularity at all, as people continue to eat nowadays at their home and cook for themselves. The homemade cooking is less harmful than fast food and it is better for the state of the individual.

First of all, it is necessary to state the most obvious facts about fast food. It is harmful but tasty. There are a lot of different chains of fast food companies; some of them provide dishes made of ingredients that are beneficial for the processes inside the body. However, it is necessary to be realistic about this, as there are not a lot of these fast food cafes. In fact, the absolute majority of the fast food producers use processed leftovers of meat and vegetables in order to cut the expenses (Iacoviello). Therefore, the fast food is not healthy and positive for the organs and for the entire state of the individual. On the contrary, it could harm the person in case of daily consumption of fast food. In fact, a person who eats fast food on the regular basis has higher risks of having diabetes, obesity, heart or respiratory diseases. It is a fact and it is just necessary to consider this idea.

Furthermore, the fast food contains fatter than the homemade cooking, which is a negative aspect as well. The majority of people do not look for their body until there are certain problems with it and the fast food could damage the body for years without even provoking serious diseases but it could create an agenda and comfortable environment for the diseases to appear and develop inside the individual. What is more important is that fast food could use ingredients that contain nitrates and other chemicals. These chemicals are added in order to save the ingredients for a longer period of time, rather than storing them for several days only. It is not about controversial GMO but also about really dangerous chemicals that are widely used in the fast food industry by the majority of the companies.

Secondly, it is also necessary to acknowledge the fact that homemade cooking also could be harmful and dangerous. For example, heavily fried chicken wings on a daily basis are not healthy at all; they actually could damage the body in the same way as fast food products. In fact, there are a lot of the possibilities to make homemade cooking dangerous and something that would constantly affect the health of the person in a negative way (Iacoviello). Too much sugar or too much fat are not only the elements of the fast food industry only. In fact, the majority of people eat a lot of candies, ice creams, fried meat, tons of dough in order to feed themselves. It is not a healthy homemade cooking at all. The fact is that it depends on the preferences of the individual or the family. At the same time, the homemade cooking could be seen as limiting as it heavily relies on the budget of the person or the family. The poor families would not be able to buy high-quality fish for the entire months in order to feed all of the members; therefore, they prefer to use cheaper ingredients. Some of these ingredients could be as harmful as the fast food and there it is impossible to deny that. The food does not only have to help to get rid of the hunger but it also has to contribute some important elements in the body of the person, so he/she could have normal processes inside the body and improve the state of it by eating healthy food.

The fast food’s price depends on the economy of the country and the financial opportunities of a person and individual; however, all over the world, the fast food is cheaper than the homemade cooking in terms of a single meal. People could not buy a slice of bread, a glass of milk, a bit of meat in order to make the sandwich or to make a hot dog, for instance, as there are not any stores where it is possible to buy a small amount of ingredients and products. There is not any sense for the retailer to sell the goods in such a small amount (Smith). Hence, for the people it is more convenient to buy fast food meals that are cheap and it is enough for a single lunch, breakfast or dinner in order to reduce the hunger and to have enough resources to continue the day. For sure, it is cheaper in terms of the single dish. However, homemade cooking is less expensive than fast food in case of the long-term perspectives (Pritchard). For example, families usually buy food for the entire week and they plan the menu more or less. They could have various meals from the same ingredient. For instance, out of chicken, it is possible to fry the meat, boiling it and make the soup, to bake it, and many other options. For the person or the family, it is much more beneficial and different way to prefer homemade cooking, as it is less expensive, compared to the weekly consumption of the fast food. Three meals per day during the week would not be cheaper as the ingredients too long for the entire week.

Additionally, the fast food is about the time and effort it requires to consume the meal. For example, during the short breaks at work, it is impossible and unreasonable to cook a lunch. Hence, the majority of people prefer eating in the cafes and eating fast food. It is a great way to reduce the essential time and to fill the stomach. Everyone does that it only depends on the cuisine that people choose to eat. For example, it is much faster to buy a hot dog than to go to the restaurant and order some soup. It is a waste of someone’s time. Apart from that the only effort that people have to put in order to obtain the hot dog is to wait in the queue that moves pretty quickly. Compared to the way the homemade foot is made it is too simple. For the homemade food, it is necessary to buy the ingredients to prepare and process them, to cook the meal and after that people could it that (Pritchard). It would require several hours. It is not as complicated as people might think; however, it requires more effort than the wait in the queue for the hot dog. Apart from that, it is also necessary to state that there are a lot of the possibilities to reduce even that time by ordering the fast food, such as pizza or sushi in the workplace. In that case, people do not have to spend any time to buy the meal; they simply have to wait for the delivery.

The problem with the fast food and the consideration of the fast food as the serious alternative to replace the homemade cooking is that people think about the food as the source of the energy. It is true that food is essential for the life of all living organisms. However, it is also possible to say that people might enjoy food and receive mental satisfaction from the new discoveries in the culinary (Iacoviello). The fast food is almost the same across the world. For sure, there are local cuisines in some countries that utilize the fast food as platform to sell it. However, it is also necessary to state that the hot dog in the US would be the same as the hot dog in Japan, for example. While the handmade cooking does not only contain the important elements for the life of people but it also contains the unique taste that could provide satisfaction, certain memories, and other moments that make the dish special (“Cooking Vs. Eating Out”). Everyone has the favorite dish and it is connected to the handmade cooking, for sure. What is more important is the fact that the homemade cooking is about not only the food and the ingredients. It is about the dedication, attention, and time, in some way it could be considered even as a present and something more than just a meal. Some believe that the food is a universal language that represents features of every location. The fast food does not contain such information inside of it.

In addition, the perception of people is that the homemade cooking actually is better and is healthier, in case if people want to eat healthily. The portions in the fast food chains are not usually regulated, the producers provide their own standards of the portion, while the homemade cooking does not have any obligations or requirements when it is done, people could eat in amounts they want and when they want to do it. It is reasonable to state that fast food does not have this freedom and it is to the contrary influences people to buy something additional to the meal, such as drinks or snacks (Smith). At home, people could do whatever they want and eat in a way they enjoy the most. Apart from that, it is also possible to combine different cuisines and to use any ingredient that people like. In the fast food cafes, the clients have to order something from the specific menu that creates limitations in some way.

Related Posts:

• Fast Food Advertising Research Paper
• Evolution of Fast Food Research Paper
• UK Grocery Sector Research Paper

Published by edadmin

View all posts by edadmin

Home > Advice > What's Good For You > Fast Food vs. Home-Cooked Meals: Comparison of Nutritional Values

Fast Food vs. Home-Cooked Meals: Comparison of Nutritional Values

Fast food can please your taste buds and is a convenient alternative to home-cooked meals due to our hectic lifestyles. However, fast food does no good other than loading you with calories. So let’s compare fast food vs. home-cooked meals in terms of their nutrition and side effects and see how they stand against one another.

Case Studies Comparing Fast Food vs. Home-cooked Meals

Here are few studies that compare fast food vs. home-cooked meals.

1. Home-cooked meals contain fewer calories

According to new the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research, people who eat home-cooked meals consume fewer calories than those who eat fast food. People eating home-cooked meals consume less carbs, fats, and sugar than those who cook less.

The study also found that those who frequently eat home-cooked meals six to seven nights a week consume fewer calories when they eat out. They don’t choose frozen or fast foods when they eat out but eat fresh food with a good nutrition value.

Income or education aren’t factors that affect eating habits. But, is home-cooked food cheaper than fast food?

2. Home-cooked meals are nutritious and cheaper

A paper from the University of Washington’s School of Public Health shows fast food vs. home-cooked meals comparison considering the cost. It states that people who eat home-cooked meals have a healthier diet at a lower cost.

Eating home-cooked meals is less expensive compared to the amount we pay when eating out. What we pay for our monthly or weekly groceries is much less than each meal we pay for dining out. And, home-cooked meals are more nutritious than take-out or restaurant-made meals.

3. Home-cooked meals meet guidelines for a healthy diet

A study published in the Seattle Obesity Study showed that people eating home-cooked meals have greater dietary compliance than those that eat out. So, this means that their weekly diet plan meets the federal guidelines for a healthy diet.

The study also found that people with bigger families and more children cook their meals often.

Time constraints prevent people from cooking at home. As mentioned, the education or income of a person is not related to eating at home or out.

4. People who live alone eat unhealthy

A paper published in the journal  Nutrition Reviews , states that people who live alone are more likely to eat unhealthy. The reason may be a lack of cooking skills, no motivation to cook for self, no one to go shopping with, and so on.

5. Home-cooked meals decrease childhood obesity

Eating home-cooked meals along with the family helps with bonding and increases interpersonal communication. It keeps children mentally and physically healthy.

A study published in the  Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics  says that having meals with the family decreases childhood obesity. If parents spend quality time with their children, they have a better sense of self-worth.

Nutritional Values of Fast Food vs. Home-Cooked Meals

If we compare fast food vs. home-cooked meals nutritional values, fast food is high in salt, artery-clogging cholesterol, and calories. A single meal at a fast food chain can cost you all the calories you consume in a day.

A person who prepares their own meals can reduce the amount of salt and fats added to recipes. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help fight off ailments and prevent type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

If time constraints prevent you from cooking at home, you can invest more time on a certain day and cook enough food to last for several meals. Eating leftovers is still better than calorie-dense and nutrient-deficit fast foods. Also, you should opt for fresh fruits at least once a day.

Another idea is to cook simple meals with whole grains and veggies that you can make in less than 15 minutes. For instance, you can cook oats in milk and have them with fresh fruits. Or, you can chop some veggies in advance and refrigerate them for the next day so you can cook them quickly.

Nutritional Value of Baby Food

Research has found that homemade baby food is healthier than the store-bought ones. A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood helps parents decide between homemade and store-bought food.

Store-bought baby food contains two vegetable varieties per serving, whereas home-cooked baby food may contain three or more. Home-cooked baby meals exceed the protein, fats, and calorie recommendation than store-bought food. Also, home-cooked meals have 26% more energy and 44% more protein and total fat than store-bought food.

Commercial baby foods contain less protein than home-cooked baby foods. Increasing the protein content increases the cost, so manufacturers may use fewer nutrients.

Commercially-made baby food has a low proportion of seafood-based products and a high proportion of red meat-based products. However, it is recommended for a child to have more oil-rich fish products and less red meat-based products.

Ingredient Variety vs. Nutrition

The findings of a study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood says that commercial meals provide a greater vegetable variety per meal and home-cooked meals provide six to seven percent more nutrients than commercial meals.

With that said, parents shouldn’t completely rely on commercial meals for their child’s nutrition. They should maintain a balance between home-cooked and commercial meals to provide the child with a varied, nutritious diet.

The Cost of Fast Food vs. Home-cooked Meals

Home-cooked meals are lower in average cost than store-bought food. The cost of home-cooked meals is £0.33 ($0.42) per 100 grams, while that of commercial meals is £0.68 ($0.88) per 100 grams.

One meal at McDonald’s for a family of four can cost $23.00 to $28.00. On the other hand, a home-cooked meal of whole roasted chicken with veggies, salad, and milk for a family of four costs about $14.00. Homemade meals of pinto beans and rice will cost even less, about $9.00.

A research study conducted by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland found that people who use organic ingredients for cooking at home would pay about one-third more. But still, the cost would be less than buying comparable commercial products.

Final Word on Home-Cooked vs. Store-Bought Meals

After looking at the fast food vs. home-cooked meals comparison, we can conclude that home-cooked meals are healthier and cost-effective as well. They don’t load you with calories, fats, harmful preservatives, flavorings, and salts. They go a long way in improving your overall lifestyle, health, and well-being.

Having said that, you should not totally deprive yourself of your favorite store-bought foods. You can still enjoy them in moderation once in a while.

• 5 Reasons Fast Food Should Be Banned

“Study Suggests Home Cooking is a Main Ingredient in Healthier Diet,” John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, November 17, 2014; http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-a-livable-future/news-room/News-Releases/2014/Study-Suggests-Home-Cooking-Main-Ingredient-in-Healthier-Diet.html .

“Cooking at home tonight? It’s likely cheaper and healthier, study finds,” ScienceDaily, March 14, 2017; https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170314150926.htm .

“Living alone can dent healthy diets,” ScienceDaily, November 3, 2015; ttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151103090932.htm .

Wright, K., “3 reasons to be eat a home-cooked meal not just at Thanksgiving but all year long,” Fox News, November 28, 2013; http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/11/28/3-reasons-to-be-eat-home-cooked-meal-not-just-at-thanksgiving-but-all-year-long.html .

Nierenberg, C., “Homemade Baby Food Isn’t Necessarily Healthier Than Store-Bought,” HuffPost, July 21, 2016; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/homemade-baby-food-isnt-healthier-than-store-bought-study-finds_us_5791068be4b00c9876ce7947 .

Nicols, H., “Store-bought baby food may be healthier per meal than homemade,” Medical News Today, July 20, 2016; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311783.php .

Tuttle, B., “News Flash: A Healthy Home-Cooked Meal Costs Less Than Fast Food,” Time, September 26, 2011; http://business.time.com/2011/09/26/news-flash-a-healthy-home-cooked-meal-costs-less-than-fast-food/ .

Copyright © 2024 - FoodsForBetterHealth. All rights reserved.

• Food Advice
• Milk & Dairy
• Gluten-free Diet
• Protein Diet
• Vegetarianism
• Mediterranean Diet
• Food Calendar
• Celeb Profiles
• Celebrity Diets
• Celebrity Workouts

Compare And Contrast Essay On Home Food Vs Fast Food

Cook Healthy Food at Home Vs Buy Fast Food at Restaurant In today’s life most people prefer to eat fast food over home-cooked meals. We know that every people needs food for living. Instead of that, we should make a decision how the way we should find food. In modern life, right now we don’t need to hunting, fishing, farming, etc. because some people do that as their job. Now, we only choose the way to find food with cooking healthy food at home or buying fast food at restaurant. However, home-cooked meals are healthier than fast food because consuming fast food is not an ideal choice for us. For this reason I choose home-cooked meals because it has lots of benefit that come along with it. Home-cooked meals is the food that you make at home by yourself. Home-cooked meals is healthier than fast food. Why? Because home-cooked meals has some advantage. First, home-cooked meals are healthy because you can control the ingredient that you want to eat. Preparing your own food is also more hygienic. When you cook your own food you can determine how much size of food that you want to eat, is it in big portion or small portion? It is up to you. I have an experience about fast food and home-cooked meals. When I was a kid my mom always bought fast food …show more content…

Although many people believe that fast food is more cheaper than home-cooked meals and ready made meal at fast food restaurant, this is not true. In fact, if you buy fast food at restaurant it is more expensive rather than you cook healthy food at home. Because when you buy fast food at restaurant you should pay taxes and service charges. Besides that, buying fast food have a risk of health problems such as obesity , diabetes and many diseases. Nevertheless, fast food are convenient with majority of the working class people who use these foods and would not prefer to spend of their time to preparing

Summary Of Don T Blame The Eater

In the article, “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko argues it is the fast food industry’s fault for the nation 's growing obesity epidemic. Furthermore, he believes people should not be blamed for their own obesity. Zinczenko argues fast-food is much more available to the fast paced lifestyle people live in rather than consuming healthy alternatives. He also discusses the fact so many people are on a low budget, it is then best and more inexpensive for them to consume fast-food. Zinczenko states a claim that the fast-food industry “would do well to protect themselves, and their customers, by providing the nutrition information people need” (Zinczenko 464).

Essay On African American Hypertension

For starters, the price gap between actual groceries and fast food is astronomical. When you can buy a burger at a fast food restaurant for a dollar but a salad at the same place cost 7 dollars, the cheaper option—more times than not— appears to be more desirable. In many cases, the financial burden forces them to sacrifice a healthy lifestyle for full bellies. While accessibility to healthier food choices is scarce in many areas, fast food restaurants have managed to appear on just about every corner.

Book Report On Omnivore's Dilemma By Michael Pollan

People pick fast food over healthy and fresh food because it is quick and more available to them. Healthy food is also much more expensive than fast food like Mcdonalds so people who live in poverty or on a low salary are affected most by The risks of constantly eating processed or fast food. Pollan also states that today 21% of American teenagers are obese or overweight do to excessive

Summary Of Fast Food Nation

Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser, discusses the changes that the United States has gone through in recent years due to the development of fast food restaurants. Fast food places have led to Americans desiring more efficiency in their lives as well as changed many of the traditional values that Americans used to have, such as family and the role that youth play in the workplace. This book also agrees with what we have been learning in class about the fact that our industrialized food production has aided in our moving from dependency on others and family to being a highly individualized society. The efficient mechanisms by which fast food places run have drastically changed American values, economy, and health.

Persuasive Essay On Childhood Obesity

Today life is on the fast track. People are always on the go and don’t have time to properly take care of themselves or their families. For most Americans, fast food and junk food are ready to grab for a snack or a quick dinner. They don’t slow down to think about how the foods they are eating effect their long term health. Fewer and fewer families take the time to prepare a nutritious meal and are passing down bad habits to their children.

American Food Argumentative Essay

Don’t even get me started on the American food industry! The american food industry is one of the only food industries in the whole wide world that favors money over the health of its citizens. The food that most Americans eat is processed crap, if you can even call it food! How many of you have eaten popcorn, chips, candy, or crackers in the last week? The amount of chemicals in the food we eat as a country on a daily basis is freaking ridiculous.

Junk Food Should Be Allowed In Schools Essay

Is having junk food in school really such a bad idea? Does it obtain a value that some schools lack? Junk food was provided in school, before the health program came into place, banning it from schools around the country. It was proudly served and allowed in school, and also sold for many school fundraisers. Although some people might say that junk food can be unhealthy, schools should allow, or serve, some junk food because it will make the kids want to eat school lunches more, it will bring in more money to the school, and it will give the students the calories that they need.

Informative Speech: An Attention Getter For Fast Food

I. Introduction A. Hook/Attention getter: “Fast food” is named as fast food because of the whole process from ordering, preparing and serving the food just take several minutes. B. General statement: Fast food is becoming more and more popular among people around the world because of the changing of lifestyle from the past times to the present times. C. Thesis statement: Due to the convenient, affordable price and good taste of fast food, consumption of fast food is rising according to studies but it also brings negative effects on our health in the long run. II. Body A. Topic sentence: Fast food restaurant such as McDonalds (McD) or Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) are available almost anywhere in the world, and you can even get it with a simple phone call and get it delivered right in front of your door step or by ordering through their websites without leaving your work desk.

Gender Differences In Food Selection Essay

The research question is as follows: are there any gender difference in people’s beverage selection of soft drinks and diet soft drinks? The hypothesis is that compared to men, women are less likely to choose soft drinks among all beverages, and if soft drinks are chosen, women are more likely to consume diet soft drinks than regular ones. Relevant empirical works have shown that gender differences in food selection exist as men demonstrate fewer healthy choices than women (Wardle, 2004). In both adolescence and adulthood, men consume meats, dairy products, and carbohydrate- rich foods significantly more frequent than women, and women were more likely to consume fruits, yogurt, tea, and low-calorie carbonated beverages (Rolls, 1991). Health beliefs are hypothesized as one cause of gendered food selection as men rate many health behaviors, including food selection choices, as less important than women do (Wardle, 2004).

Persuasive Speech: An Attention Getter For Fast Food

III.Conclusion A.Restatement of the thesis statement: Although fast food is convenient, affordable and have a good taste, we should avoid having fast food too often for our own health. B.Suggestion/recommendation: To totally avoid fast food is hard, but we should reduce our consumption of it, maybe twice a month. Other than fast food restaurant, maybe other restaurant should also start making delivery to cope with people’s lifestyle

Persuasive Essay On Fast Food

“Fast food restaurants have us hooked on to their tasty food. You See a lot of people buying fast food because how good it tastes. Well let me tell you it is not good for your health. Why do fast food places lower their prices because they know people will buy it if it doesn’t cost that much and most people buy it cause that`s how much they can afford”. Fast food places is a way to not cook every week I feel bad for people when I go to McDonald’s and ask them, do you know what you’re eating in they say

Thesis Statement On Fast Food

Title: FAST FOOD POPULARITY A. Introduction: Nowadays, most people -especially kids and youngsters- prefer to eat fast food, such as McDonald, pizza, fried food, and etc. Why it has become so popular? It is tastes better than homemade food? B. General Statement: Fast food industry has grown dramatically and become so popular. According to the research, people spend more money on fast food than the education.

Advantages And Differences Eat Out Vs. Eating At Home

Everyday billions of people all of the world decide how they will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner for themselves and/or their families. People enjoy gathering around food for all types of celebrations, football games, family gatherings, meetings, and more. Food is an absolute necessity in our lives as it is the fuel for our bodies and everyone has the choice to cook meals within their homes each day or they have the choice of eating out at a restaurant. In the time we are living in today there are a lot more restaurants available than there was 50 years ago and the number continues to rise. Both eating out and eating at home have advantages and disadvantages

Ethical Issues In Fast Food

Anyone can walk down the street and see a fast food place almost anywhere they go. Humans have a tendency to be lazy. It 's much easier to go down the street and pick up a hamburger than to make a low-calorie meal at home. It 's less complex to the consumer. According to a Heidi Godman, executive editor of Harvard 's Health Letter "teenagers and kids consumed far more calories in fast-food and other restaurants than they did at home.

Food Causes And Effects Of Fast Food

In this era of globalization,we increasingly move towards sophisticated and high living technology. Many things evolve with this change for example architecture building,too dense,and not mention to the way our food preparation. In this case,we stress about the society that likes to take too many fast food as their everyday practice. This is because they are very busy and have no many time to prepare the food. So,the alternative way is they prepared the fast food as their meal.

More about Compare And Contrast Essay On Home Food Vs Fast Food

Related topics.

Why You Should Opt for Home-Cooked Meals Over Fast Food

With your busy life, you might find it easier and faster to grab fast food on your way home from work. But this convenience comes at a price. Research has shown that homemade meals tend to be healthier than takeaway. You can spare yourself unwanted calories, carbs, saturated fat and sodium by preparing your own meals with fresh, healthy ingredients, possibly reducing your risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Advertisement

What’s the Difference in Nutrition?

Video of the Day

When comparing the nutritional value of fast food vs. home-cooked meals, the meals that you prepare yourself are frequently much healthier. Fast foods and restaurant meals may be high in salt, artery-clogging cholesterol and calories. By preparing your own dishes, you can control the ingredients, substituting sugar-free sweeteners or low-sodium options and including more vegetables and whole grains. Choosing healthy fats for your recipes will contribute to the health of your heart.

You can also manage the portions you dish out — the larger-than-necessary serving size in most restaurants can lead to overeating. Instead of the 12-ounce steak you might order at a restaurant, you can enjoy a 3- or 4-ounce piece of meat and fill the rest of your plate with healthy veggies, cutting down on saturated fats and upping your fiber intake. Instead of sugar-laden desserts that tempt you at restaurants, you can serve fresh fruit or fruit compote to help meet your daily requirements.

Too Much Sodium

Another difference between fast food and homemade food involves sodium content. At home you're inclined to use less salt to season meals, but restaurants and fast-food outlets use generous amounts to enhance flavors. Food additives and preservatives also contain salt. Even if the pastries, donuts or bread you buy doesn't taste salty, you can bet the sodium content is high.

In fact, few realize how much salt is in the restaurant food they eat, as demonstrated by a study published in Appetite in 2017. Americans eat 89 percent too much salt, says Time . The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, which is about 1 teaspoon. Excessive salt intake causes water retention and can raise blood pressure, resulting in possible damage to the heart, blood vessels, brain and kidneys, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health .

​ Read more: ​ Negative Effects of Fast Foods

Obesity in Children

Whether you eat out or bring fast food home to eat, those time-saving meals may be taking a toll on the health of your children. Obesity in children is a rising public health problem, carrying with it the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes later in life.

A study of children in 85 schools compared children who never ate takeaway meals to those who ate one or more takeaway meals per week. The findings, published in 2018 in Archives of Disease in Childhood , showed that the groups eating takeaway were associated with higher calorie and saturated fat intake and lower protein and micronutrients. Additionally, the group that ate takeaway had higher total and LDL cholesterol levels and a higher fat mass index.

The conclusion of the study was that consumption of takeaway meals in children had potential long-term consequences for obesity and risk of coronary heart disease due to increased body fat and poorer-quality diets.

Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Many people have allergic reactions to different foods and spices. Even a trace amount of a food allergen can trigger a severe reaction. Francine L. Shaw , an inspector at Food Safety Training Solutions, observes cross-contact situations every day in restaurants, mostly due to food-service teams being improperly trained on safe food handling.

If you have food sensitivities or food allergies, you may be taking a risk by eating restaurant food. With an acute condition, such as celiac disease , even ordering gluten-free meals may still spell trouble if kitchen cooking methods allow cross-contamination. It's impossible to know for sure if your restaurant meal is actually peanut free or doesn't contain seafood.

The benefit of cooking at home is that you can ensure that your ingredients are clean and free of contaminants. When you're in control in your own kitchen, you can reduce the risk of adverse reactions.

Weight Loss

Not only are home-cooked meals healthier, but a single serving at a fast-food chain can cost you all the recommended calories you should consume in a day. Homemade meals typically supply fewer calories, which is helpful if you're trying to lose weight.

A 2015 examination of the cooking frequency and diet of Americans who had intentions of losing weight revealed that those who ate six to seven meals at home per week consumed an average of 170 fewer calories per day, 5 fewer grams of fat and 16 fewer grams of sugar compared to those who cooked dinner at home only once a week. The evidence, published in Public Health Nutrition , shows that people who cook dinner at home eat a healthier diet, whether or not they're trying lose weight.

Healthy Fast-Food Options

For those days when you just don't have the time to cook a meal or pack a lunch and fast food is your only alternative, look for the healthiest options. This means foods that offer a decent combination of macronutrients, especially protein, without excessive sugar, sodium and trans fat.

Opting for a takeaway salad is often a good choice. Wendy's offers a Mediterranean chicken salad that contains 430 calories, 14 grams of fat and 39 grams of protein, with the added bonus of 120 percent of your RDA for vitamin A. The drawback is the amount of sodium it contains — more than half your RDA, according to Fast Food Nutrition .

Bypass the sugary sweets at Starbucks for a healthier breakfast wrap. Starbucks' spinach, feta and cage-free egg-white wrap contains 290 calories, 10 grams of fat and 19 grams of protein . The wrap also contains 24 percent of your RDA for fiber, so it compares favorably to a less-filling muffin or doughnut.

Another option is Taco Bell's Chicken Burrito Supreme. With 340 calories and 17 grams of protein , it only contains 8 grams of fat and a moderate amount of carbs at 16 percent of your RDA. Again, the sodium content is high, nearly half your RDA.

• Science Direct: Appetite: Consumer Underestimation of Sodium in Fast-Food Restaurant Meals: Results From a Cross-Sectional Observational Study
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source: Health Risks and Disease Related to Salt and Sodium
• TIME: Your Meal Has Six Times More Salt Than You Think
• FSR Magazine: Accommodating Food-Allergic Guests
• Archives of Disease in Childhood: Takeaway Meal Consumption and Risk Markers for Coronary Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity in Children Aged 9–10 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study
• Cambridge University Press: Public Health Nutrition: Is Cooking at Home Associated With Better Diet Quality or Weight-Loss Intention?
• Fast Food Nutrition: Wendy's Whole Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts
• Fast Food Nutrition: Starbucks Spinach, Feta & Cage Free Egg White Breakfast Wrap Nutrition Facts
• Fast Food Nutrition: Taco Bell Fresco Burrito Supreme – Chicken Nutrition Facts

Report an Issue

Screenshot loading...

Search form

An opinion essay about fast food.

Look at the exam question and essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills. 

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Check your understanding: matching

Check your vocabulary: gap fill, check your writing: multiple choice, worksheets and downloads.

Is fast food popular in your country? Do you think it causes health problems or any other kinds of problems?

Sign up to our newsletter for LearnEnglish Teens

We will process your data to send you our newsletter and updates based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Read our privacy policy for more information.

128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples

The phenomenon of comfort food that takes a short time to prepare and tastes good has become extremely popular in the world, with chains such as McDonalds having an enormous global presence. However, the adverse health effects associated with the emergence of fast food have led to its nickname, junk food.

There is an obesity epidemic throughout the world, but people do not adopt healthy eating habits even as more and more issues surface. As such, you should cover some key points to write an outstanding essay on one or more fast food essay topics and show your understanding of the topic.

In this article we will reveal some tips and ideas for writing, as well as research questions on fast food.

👍 Tips for Essay Writing on Fast Food

🏆 best fast food topics & essay examples, ✅ simple & easy fast food essay topics, 💡 most interesting fast food topics to write about, ❓ fast food questions for research paper.

Your fast food essay should discuss the advantages as well as disadvantages of fast food compared to traditional healthy food.

Food items that contain excessive fat or were not good for one’s health have existed for a long time, but were never prominent enough to impact the population significantly.

Fast food options became popular because they pioneered the ideas of food being easily accessible, quick to make, and tasty nevertheless.

Compared to the usual cooking experience people went through at home as well as outdoors eating places, the new phenomenon constituted a revolution.

Fast food became popular with the population due to its significant benefits compared to other methods.

However, the disadvantages of excessive consumption of junk food emerged eventually, leading to the release of various legislation governing the dangers of a poor diet.

With its emphasis on fat and sugars, fast food can lead to a variety of issues, examples including uncontrolled weight gain, heart disease, dental issues, shortness of breath, and other adverse outcomes.

Obesity is now an issue that affects many people in the United States as well as other countries. It can also be difficult to stop consuming junk food because of its instant gratification properties.

Due to its concentration on taste over nutrition, healthy food can feel bland and uninteresting by comparison, leading the person to switch back.

You should discuss potential solutions to the issues created by fast food, but the issue is complex and complicated by the conditions of some of the people affected.

In Australia, some aboriginal people live too far from large cities to receive regular shipments of healthy food that will not spoil, so they have to rely on fast food that is packed with preservatives.

As a result, many become obese and malnourished at the same time. There is no easy solution to the issue, and as such, most options have to be theoretical or supported by evidence. The essay format is generally not suitable for in-depth discussions of topics related to the resolution of these issues.

Here are some additional tips that will make your essay truly outstanding:

• Try to rely on facts that are supported by research and evidence rather than the popular perception.
• The concept of fast food extends beyond chains such as McDonalds to ready-made meals and various snacks in stores.
• Remember to follow usual essay writing guidelines such as an academic tone, the separation of section with titles, and the use of an introductions and fast food essay conclusions.

Here, at IvyPanda you can find lots of fast food essay titles and other useful samples that will help you create an excellent paper! Check them below!

• Fast Food Industry: Arguments for and Against For instance, those who believe that fast food industry is beneficial to them and other members of the society will expect the findings of this research to be in support of their beliefs.
• Fast Food in Campus: Advantages and Disadvantages On the other hand, a classmate mentions that fast foods lead to obesity among university students who eat from fast-food restaurants.
• Fast Food vs. Home Cooking: Lifestyle and Traditions The good thing with this business is that the food was from natural products hence healthy, a fact that has since changed Many people are very busy for the better part of the day and […]
• Survey to Study the Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption and Obesity The survey aims to analyze if there is any connection between consumption of fast food and obesity. The study aims to ascertain the relationship between fast food consumption and obesity.
• The Negative Consequences of Employing High School Students in Fast Food Restaurants In addition, high school students should be advised that education and their careers are more important as compared to working at fast food restaurants.
• Fast Food Restaurants: Classification Most restaurants offer these services at their premises, whereby customers come, have their meals and leave for example the Deising’s chain of restaurants, while others especially the well-established ones offer take-out services and delivery services […]
• The Fast Food Industry Lots of people claim that the growth of the rate of obese people correlates with the growth of fast food chains in the region.
• McDonald’s Corporation: Analyzing Fast Food Industry A glance of the profit margins of the major players in the US industry will provide a more clear perception of the fast food industry’s success in 2009 in global perspective: Key Competitors Profits 2009 […]
• The Consequences of Fast Food The most evident effect of fast food is obesity among others and these effects are what will be considered as the basis of discouraging the intake of fast food while encouraging other healthier options.
• Global Challenges Faced By Fast Food Companies For instance the price strategy is usually determined by a number of factors such as the number of competitors in the market, the availability and costs of raw materials and the existent product substitutes in […]
• Social Media Marketing Plan: Subway Fast Food Attract The main objective of this digital marketing plan is to attract the younger customers’ market through the Subway’s website and a twitter fun page in order to increase the customer traffic in its stores.
• Improvements of Supply Chain Processes in the Fast Food Industry: Subway The purposes of the research are to analyze the service delivery stage of the internal supply chain process typical of the Subway restaurants located in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates; identify drawbacks in these areas […]
• Fast Food Drive-throughs In this respect, the drive-through services are aimed at reducing the throughput time and serving a maximum number of clients in the minimum time compared to other similar services.s such, it is necessary to compare […]
• Fast Food History and Global Presence The popularity of fast-food restaurants at the time could be associated with the increased numbers of people moving to the city centers during the Great Depression.
• Wendy’s Fast Food Restaurant The design has the potential to elaborate on the cause of failures inherent in the establishment and possess the capacity to make recommendations on combating the challenges.
• The Film “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!”: How the Fast Food Industry Interacts With Its Customers Another obvious cause and effect relationship portrayed in the film concerns the rise in the threat of diseases such as diabetes as the effect of the food choices that McDonald’s provides to its customers.
• Causes and Effects of Fast Food: Reputation for Unhealthy Eating By setting this price to a low value, fast food companies can exclude traditional restaurants from the selection, improve throughput, and increase their brand equity.
• Influencing Consumer Behavior: the changing image of ‘fast food’ Some of the factors that consumers may be influenced with include the cost, what their friends and family members say, where the restaurant is located, the duration the meal takes, and by how the consumers […]
• Impact of Fast Food on Human Body Firstly, it is the economics of fast food fast food is the cheapest food on the market in terms of a calorie per dollar.
• HRM in the Fast Food Industry: US, Germany, and Australia It should be mentioned that the term human-resource relations refers to the programs that an organization puts in place in order to ensure that the employees receive the benefits that are guaranteed by legislation.
• Employment Relations in Fast Food Restaurants It is therefore imperative to ensure the comfort of employees and for good employment relations to be built and extended there are certain advantages and legal constitutions that have to be established for the sake […]
• Fast Food Effects on Human Health The phenomenon results in the ideological perspectives of increased obesity and the emergence of lifestyle diseases. The popularity and consumption rate of fast-food restaurants is one of the trending issues in cities and towns.
• The Reasons Behind the Popularity of Fast Food in the Context of the Lebanese Market Nowadays, in Beirut, the variety of traditional dishes which can be prepared quickly and served as fast food is amazing, from the kebab, to the falafel; most dishes are represented.
• Green Management in Fast Food Restaurants The corporations have to acquire large amounts of capital to operate efficiently and survive in the market because of the high demand of social responsibility in the food industry.
• The Fast-Food Industry and Legal Accountability for Obesity The principle of least harm in ethics is closely associated with the fast food industry; this is mainly because of the basic fact that fast food increases chances of obesity to its consumers.
• The Jungle and Fast Food Nation Though both books talk about the food industry and the ills that plague it, it is important to establish that, Eric Schlosser’s aim of writing Fast Food Nation was to make the public know the […]
• Fast Food Industry in the US This paper will discuss the fast food industry in the US with an emphasis on the positive as well as the negative impacts it has on American economy.
• Motivational Issues in the Fast Food Sector Fast food refers to a type of cuisine produced in mass and marketed by some eateries, presentation stands, and service establishments for fast and effective production and delivery.
• Fritter’s Fast Food Restaurants: Overview Very fast and inexpensive to manufacture, Fritters can find their customers both in restaurants and kiosks, and in pre-prepared form.
• Fast Foods More Harm Than Good The rest of the life of such a child is upsetting as the child is ridiculed in and out of school, through his/her adolescence, and even in college.
• The Culture of Fast Food Consumption Thesis Statement: The purchase of fast food is largely driven by the convenience of purchase, enjoyment of taste, and pricing. However, it is worth sorting out the reasons for consuming fast food and the main […]
• The Fast Food Culture in Saudi Arabia The increased consumption of fast food is an issue that has gripped the attention of healthcare providers worldwide. The high incidence of diabetes is perhaps the most notable effect of the excessive consumption of fast […]
• Fast Food, Fat Profits: Obesity in America With the current trends in the consumption of foods, statistics show that, by the year 2015, a third of America will be obese.
• Increased Nutrition Regulations on Fast Food Restaurants Some critics believe that federal policy to increase the cost of healthy food has led to the increase in consumption of the cheaper alternative i.e.fast food.
• American Fast Food in Foreign Countries On the one hand, fast food chains like McDonald’s are at risk of pushing local cafes away, leading the latter to bankruptcy.
• Fast Food: What We Eat by Eric Schlosser The industry became the cause of multiple economic trends and shifted the behaviors of consumers. In conclusion, the fast-food industry has had a great influence on economics, society, and politics.
• The Effects of Fast Food Consumption on Obesity Afterward, Lane et al.combined homogeneous conditions and conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effect of fast food consumption on their development.
• The Fast Food Mass Production Problem Mass production was planned as a phenomenon to ensure the supply of food in sufficient quantities to cover the loss of production in the sale and, at the same time, meet the economic needs of […]
• Fast Food Restaurant: Emergency Procedure It is essential to lay out a clear communication plan to ensure the team maintains functional capacity during a hurricane threat.
• Drive-Thru Dreams and Fast Food Nation by Adam Chandler In the introduction to his book, Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom, Adam Chandler uses pathos as the central appeal to convince the audience in the strength of his reasoning.
• Slow and Fast Food Values by Alice Waters Uniformity is a fast-food value that causes people to lose their individuality because of the pressure to conform. Awareness is a fundamental value in the current fast-food world.
• McDonald’s in the International Fast Food Market In her article, Visard discusses the current position of McDonald’s in the international fast food market and the food chain’s most recent attempts to adapt its resource spending and product positioning strategies during the ongoing […]
• Employee Retention & Staff Turnover in Fast Food Industry Whilst the recruitment strategy errors include the lack of such documents as A Set of Competencies and The Perfect Candidate, the lack of recruitment specialists, and the provision of insufficient information to the candidate. It […]
• The Environment of Fast Food Chains The basic research question is based upon the fact as what is actual scenario of HK fast food industry and what marketing strategies are being used commonly by the industry?
• Customer Loyalty in Fast Food Industry Under Current Economic Crisis The objective of this research is to evaluate different customer loyalty programs offered by companies operating in the UK Fast Food Industry to induce more sales and assess their effectiveness amid of the current economic […]
• Promoting Fast Food Ingredient Awareness The result of this progress has been the spread of the concept of fast food, meals for those who are busy and do not want to burden themselves with cooking.
• The Fast Food Restaurant Market of Canada More than 100 various franchising offers Growing demand for fast food restaurant franchising Wide variety of demanded franchises with diverse prices and distinct revenue potential Growing possibilities to utilize disposable income, which increases proportionally […]
• Ideology of Fast Food Industry Development Demonstrating the parallel that can be drawn between fast food and the ideology values such as the fast pace life and consumerism, it is important to stress that several values resulted from the formation and […]
• Fast Food and Gender: Is There a Relation? The study was to observe the gender that formed the majority of the customer base in respect to fast foods. In this case, it was important to select a predetermined restaurant that specializes in fast […]
• Obesity Prevalence and Fast Food Restaurant Prevalence The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between obesity prevalence and fast food restaurant prevalence in the United States.
• Regulation of the Fast Food Industry: Review The rapid growth of the fast food industry has led to the high consumption of fast food by many people. The extraordinary growth of the fast food industry has been driven by fundamental changes in […]
• Fast Food: What Is Really in It? Fast food restaurants use TBHQ to eliminate oxidation of fats and oils in order to prolong the expiry date of their foods.
• “The Bitter Truth About Fast Food” by Schlosser While such a regulation is hard to follow, it has been proved that some natural ingredients used in the manufacturing of flavors pose more health risks than artificial ingredients.
• Biotechnology and Animal Welfare: How Genetically Modified Chicken Serves the Demand in Fast Food Chains Beef was the most often used meat for the restaurants due to its containing in burgers, however, in 2020, the tendency started to move in the direction of chicken consumption.
• ”The Ritual of Fast Food” by Margaret Visser At the pace of modern life, people often do not have time to dine fully, and then fast food comes to the rescue.
• Fast Food Nation in the “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by M. Pollan The author’s main purpose in writing this text could be summarized as a plea to food-conscious people that there is more to what they do not know about the food they eat.
• Fast Food Industry: Five Forces of Success The possible threat of market saturation by new sellers inflowing the market. The strength of rivalry or competition in the food industry as franked by existing markets is a pronouncement that helps in the determination […]
• Marketing Case B: Freddy Favors Fast Food and Convenience for College Students Problem Objective Opinion Areas of Strength Areas of Concern Recommendation Conclusion The service and products that are to be offered in a food joint for college students is a problem, as it would require […]
• Branding of Fast Food Industry: Sound and Strategic Brand According to Thomson and Rampton the brand image should be able to provide customers with a degree of excellence and comfort, making them outshine from the rest of the group that is they provide a […]
• Media Plan of a Fast Food Chain Subway Food The uniqueness and importance of this media for Subway Foods is that the sender of the advertising message, who can be regarded as the seller, does not know in advance what he will receive in […]
• The Use of Fast Food Meals in the United State This study focused to investigate the western theory change of lifestyles and it intended to examine the quality of the fast-food meals in the United States industries.
• Environmental Analysis for a New Fast Food Chain in Australia The viability of the restaurant will depend, in a large part, on the stability of the host government as well as the strength of the host country’s political system.
• Fast Food Empire: ”Behind the Counter” by Schlosser Schlosser underlines that the fast food problem in society, culture, and identity is presenting all Americans with profound dilemmas- that are badly in need of clarification and resolution of real life values and ideals Schlosser […]
• Opportunism in Fast Food Chains: Schlosser’s ‘Behind the Counter’ The fast-food chains employ the most disadvantaged members of the American society and provide only training on basic job skills such as getting to work on time.
• Fast Food Epidemic: The Dark Side of American Meal Various reports and studies signify the trends of huge marketing campaigns of fast food chains and the significant correlation this has with fast food consumption.
• Technology in the British Fast Food Industry The use of modern smartphones and apps is an emerging trend that will continue to dictate the performance of business organizations.
• Fast Food Restaurants and Buyers’ Responsibility Fast food and chain restaurants sell their products, but they do not force people to buy them. Thus, people are to be responsible for their behavior and understand the danger of unhealthy food.
• The Work at “Checkers” Fast Food Restaurant The position of a cook is much different, as they are the person who carries out the duties and supports the infrastructure of the restaurant.
• “Fast Food Nation” Movie by Richard Linklater This is a story of how one of the most favorite things in the country is destroying people’s health and undermining the belief that the world is a friendly and kind place where people love […]
• Obesity in Hispanic Adolescents and Fast Food Most of these, however, describe the relationship existing between the prevalence of diabetes in the population and the consumption of fast foods.
• Fast Food, Obesity, Depression, and Other Issues However, in busy communities, fast foods are increasingly being the preferred choice of food because of their price and convenience and that is why they are commonly served in many hotels, cafes and even some […]
• Fast Food Ban Necessity in Schools Schools should not offer fast foods because they lead to the development of bad habits, long-time health complications and influence students to spend money unnecessarily.
• Fast Food Consumption in New Jersey (United States) The survey aimed at evaluating the consumption of fast foods amongst the residents of New Jersey in the USA. Other objectives that were considered during the study included determination of whether the habit contributed to […]
• Factors Contributing to Fast Food Consumption in UAE Nevertheless, the transformation from homemade food to fast food has been so severe and widespread that people have become addicted to fast food in the UAE.
• The Fast Food Danger Awareness Among the Young People However, it is worrying that many people in this society are not aware of the dangers that this industry poses to young people.
• Blue Springs Fast Food Store vs. Blue Gardens Restaurant Analysis The lighting is moderated to give the facility a unique ambiance, and the color of the walls is also very attractive.
• Fast Food War in Singapore: The Stiff Competition and Fight for Customers In this case, the market conditions will allow the firm to choose product attributes that counter the products of their competitors.
• Should Fast Food Qualify As “Food”? Nowadays, it became a commonplace practice among many people to suggest that fast food cannot be considered areal.’ This, of course, implies that the consumption of fast food can hardly be considered beneficial to the […]
• Fast Food Industry and Its Impacts The experiment made in the film shows how consuming of the fast food influences the human body, presents a visual demonstration of the processes happening in our inside organs under the influence of chemicals contained […]
• The Practice of Fast Food in the United States This survey concluded that fast food consumption entails a large intake of junk foods as well as a reduction in the intake of healthy foods.
• Analysis of the Documentary Fast Food, Fat Profits This is one of the issues that can be distinguished. This is one of the limitations that can be singled out.
• Obesity and Fast Food In fact, a larger proportion of the gains in the body mass arise from the escalating promotional activities carried out by the fast-food producing companies such as McDonalds.
• An Analysis of Marketing Strategies of Local vs. International Brands in the Fast Food Sector This comes as no surprise, considering that the UK is one of the world’s largest economies in the world, has one of Europe’s highest populations and is the largest consumer of fast food in the […]
• The economical aspects and different perspectives for fast food industry in Canada Figure 1: The leading fast-food companies in Canada Source: Reiter Slcfred stated that Mcdinalds had more than 31000 outlets all over the world, among them 5% restaurants or 1550 outlets are in Canada and highest […]
• Challenges Inherent in Repositioning a Fast Food Chain Much money has to be spent during the repositioning process, and, in a period of financial crisis, as is the current situation, it is very important to come up with some cost-effective strategies to succeed […]
• The Fast-food Industry in Russia For example, the legislation guaranteed the right of workers to organize themselves in labour unions, strike and even challenge the decisions that are made by the management The Russian federation labour laws are a combination […]
• An Analysis of Fast Freeze Foods Ltd This paper focuses on the successes of his management in managing the performance of the company to ensure success in such a turbulent industry as the company is operating.
• Healthy Fast Food Restaurant The project committee has ensured that this project has a number of strengths as it is introduced in this competitive market.
• Deli Depot Fast Food Restaurants Strategy Objectives To improve on the sales of the business hence increasing the profit margin To strategise on how to take over the market from other competitors To come up with a good team of employees […]
• Fast Food on Campus: When Affordable Meals Overshadow the Nutrition Issues Starting Positively Much to the credit of fast food and the companies producing it, there are also a number of positive aspects of providing fast food on the territory of campus.
• The Fast Food Chains “Five Guys” in the USA Five Guys is one of the fastest growing fast food chains in the USA and it is now expanding overseas. One of the reasons for such a success is the thoughtful philosophy of the fast […]
• Fast Food’s Main Detrimental Effects This state of affairs is perfectly explainable, because during the course of recent decades, the effects of a lengthened consumption of fast food on one’s health remained the subject of a number of heated public […]
• “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Search for a Perfect Meal in a Fast-Food World” by Michael Pollan The poultry helps in the spreading of manure as the chicken looks for larvae to eat. There are a lot of processed foods available in the market such that one is spoilt for choice.
• Comparison Between the Jungle and Fast Food Nation The writer of the book came up with suggestion on what ought to be done to eliminate the issue of minimal salaries among the citizens, hence, improve the living standards of the people in the […]
• Impacts of Fast Food on Childhood Eating Habits The author’s claim that lack of nutritional information on fast food packaging is a major cause of obesity among children and teenagers is not true.
• The Nature of Fast Food Advertising in North American & Its Influence The nature of fast food advertising in North America is such that most fast food restaurants depict the advantages of eating fast food in a bid to entice the clients.
• Fast Food, Quick Problem Emergence, Rapid Addiction and Slow Recovery Process Because of the growing popularity of the fast food products, the concern for the effect that the fast food meals have on the population is growing increasingly big, yet the solutions for the problems and […]
• Fast Food and Hate Groups Harvey would lay his hands on the member’s heads to reconfirm them to the group after which the members would swear an oath to Harvey and Pendgrass that they will uphold the beliefs and convictions […]
• How Has the Fast Food Industry Changed From the 1950s to the Present?
• What Are the Causes of Popularity for Fast Food Restaurants?
• Are Fast Food and Junk Food Companies Ethically Responsible for Customers?
• What Are the Effects of Eating Fast Food?
• How Did Jollibee Build Its Position in the Philippine Fast Food Industry?
• What Are the Key Success Factors That Make the Fast Food Business Model Work?
• Does Consumer Preference Shift Away From Fast Food?
• What Constitutes Good Customer Service and Makes a Company in the Fast Food Industry Indispensable?
• How Are Fast Food Advertising and Childhood Obesity Related?
• What Makes Chipotle Unique Among Other Fast Food Chains?
• Can Apps Make Fast Food Even Faster?
• How Is Fast Food Changing American Food Culture?
• Why Isn’t Fast Food Cheaper Than Healthy Food?
• Are Fast Food Restaurants to Blame for Obesity?
• How Can Fitness Overcome Fast Food?
• What Marketing Strategies Use McDonald’s to Compete With Burger King in the Fast Food Industry?
• Why Are Fast Food Restaurants Popular?
• How Has Healthy Living Culture Brought About Changes in the Fast Food Industry?
• Does Fast Food Have a Possible Connection With Obesity?
• How Do Eco Activists Take Action Towards the Fast Food Industries?
• Should Fast Food Advertisements Be Banned?
• What Retention Strategies Can Be Used by Fast Food Companies?
• How Do Life Styles Affect the Consumption of Fast Food?
• Should Fast Food Companies Be Held Responsibility for Children’s Obesity?
• How Did McDonald’s Change Fast Food?
• Should Fast Food Only Be Sold to People Eighteen and Older?
• How Has the Recession Affected the Fast Food Sector?
• Should Schools Serve Fast Food Like Mcdonald’s?
• What Are Most Serious Negative Effects of Eating Fast Food?
• Why Should Americans Eat Less Fast Food?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 24). 128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/fast-food-essay-examples/

"128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 24 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/fast-food-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples'. 24 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples." February 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/fast-food-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples." February 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/fast-food-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "128 Brilliant Fast Food Essay Topics & Examples." February 24, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/fast-food-essay-examples/.

• Food & Beverage Topics
• Obesity Ideas
• Childhood Obesity Research Ideas
• Consumerism Topics
• Metabolism Research Topics
• Burger King Topics
• Fitness Topics
• Cooking Questions
• McDonald’s Topics
• Restaurant Ideas
• Eating Disorders Questions
• Food Essay Ideas
• Weight Loss Essay Titles

• Undergraduate
• High School
• Architecture
• American History
• Asian History
• Antique Literature
• American Literature
• Asian Literature
• Classic English Literature
• World Literature
• Creative Writing
• Linguistics
• Criminal Justice
• Legal Issues
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Political Science
• World Affairs
• African-American Studies
• East European Studies
• Latin-American Studies
• Native-American Studies
• West European Studies
• Family and Consumer Science
• Social Issues
• Women and Gender Studies
• Social Work
• Natural Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Earth science
• Agriculture
• Agricultural Studies
• Computer Science
• IT Management
• Mathematics
• Investments
• Engineering and Technology
• Engineering
• Aeronautics
• Medicine and Health
• Alternative Medicine
• Communications and Media
• Advertising
• Communication Strategies
• Public Relations
• Educational Theories
• Teacher's Career
• Chicago/Turabian
• Company Analysis
• Education Theories
• Shakespeare
• Canadian Studies
• Food Safety
• Relation of Global Warming and Extreme Weather Condition
• Movie Review
• Admission Essay
• Annotated Bibliography
• Application Essay
• Article Critique
• Article Review
• Article Writing
• Book Review
• Business Plan
• Business Proposal
• Capstone Project
• Cover Letter
• Creative Essay
• Dissertation
• Dissertation - Abstract
• Dissertation - Conclusion
• Dissertation - Discussion
• Dissertation - Hypothesis
• Dissertation - Introduction
• Dissertation - Literature
• Dissertation - Methodology
• Dissertation - Results
• GCSE Coursework
• Grant Proposal
• Marketing Plan
• Multiple Choice Quiz
• Personal Statement
• Power Point Presentation
• Power Point Presentation With Speaker Notes
• Questionnaire
• Reaction Paper
• Research Paper
• Research Proposal
• SWOT analysis
• Thesis Paper
• Online Quiz
• Literature Review
• Movie Analysis
• Statistics problem
• Math Problem
• All papers examples
• How It Works
• Money Back Policy
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• We Are Hiring

Fast Foods and Home-Cooked Meals, Essay Example

Pages: 3

Words: 912

Hire a Writer for Custom Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

Comparison between Fast Foods and Home-Cooked Meals: Influences and Implications

It is striking how the modern lifestyles differ from the traditional setting within which society functioned. Of significant concern are contemporary eating trends, which depart from the traditional customs that governed meal-taking. Traditionally, eating was a communal occasion, in which family members came together and shared meals. However, modern civilization has ushered in new eating trends and habits, which are more individualistic than communal. Similarly, the meals are usually taken away from home, with little regard to time guidelines and diet considerations. Consequently, these eating habits have serious health implications in individuals and society at large, due to the disparities between home-cooked and restaurant foods, in terms of nutritional value. The essay examines the differences and similarities between home-cooked and fast foods, and their long term implications on individuals’ diet and health, food quality and family unity. The essay argues that while both restaurant and home-cooked meals have the same nutritional value, the former is unhealthy due to its high fat and calories content.  Moreover, home-cooking is more economical compared to buying meals at fast- food joints. The essay concludes that fast foods are not only harmful to children’s health, but also hinders family harmony.

Child obesity is a growing concern for many families, especially in the developed countries when consumption rate is usually high. In America, particularly, research studies on child health show that one in every five children is obese. In some Asian cities such as Beijing, study estimates indicate that over twenty percent of teenagers is overweight (Waters et al 6). Nonetheless, what is often ignored is the contribution of fast foods to increasing body weight related problems. Fast foods, as the phrase suggests, is not prepared in the same manner as home-cooked meals: it involves the quickest and most efficient means, such as frying or roasting. Consequently, fast-foods usually contain high fat content, which is a leading contributor of weight gain and related health issues. In the two pictures, one portrays evidently overweight kids eating out in a restaurant, and the other a family eating at home. The food depicted in the restaurant includes a plate of chips and a glass of juice. Such food is low in fiber content, which is particularly vital in the digestion of cellulose. Given the fact that fast- food joints economize on time and cost, they mostly specialize in low-fiber foods, since they take less time to prepare. On the contrary, home-cooking is not dictated by time limitations and tends to blend an assortment of a variety of foods that are nutritional and healthy.

Secondly, fast foods encourage individuals to eat at their convenience. In fact, people prefer fast foods for their flexibility, in that one can take any meal at any time of the day. This, perhaps, is an adaptation into the demands of the economic conditions of the contemporary society, whereby the job market has disintegrated family unity. For instance, in families where both parents are working, it is common for each partner to take meals at their respective places of work (Keller 387). This seems to be a convenient alternative compared to driving home for a family meal. At the same time, children are either left on their own at home, or at school. If they do not take packed lunch- which places inconveniences on the parents, they have to buy food at a fast-food joint. In fact, it is highly probable that the two overweight kids have both working parents, and had to check into a restaurant for snacks. Therefore, the disintegration of family harmony can be attributed to labor economics, whereby working parents and their children have to take day-time meals at their respective stations.

Thirdly, fast foods differ from home-cooked meals in terms of their quality, due to the typical monotonous and fixed-recipe commonly adopted by the fast- food joints. Businesses often specialize in a limited line of operations, mainly for the purpose of efficiency. As such, fast foods have a limited nutritional value and diet choice in terms of variety and prevalence. On the other hand, they have high contents of fats, fructose, as well as a high- energy density (Heneline and Meeker 125). For instance, Starbucks specializes in coffee, and consequently, it is difficulty to find meat products. Moreover, even home-cooked food could sometime be as fatty and caloric as fast foods, depending on families’ income levels and consequently, consumer goods purchasing power. In most upper class families, the consumption rate is high, and the food could be as junky as that purchased from a restaurant.  Thus, it is the paper’s argument that emerging trends in eating habits is a consequence of socioeconomic patterns in society, which means that families can afford to purchase foods rich in calories and fats, hence the growing rate of weight related health problems.

In conclusion, the two pictures suggest that home-cooking differs from fast foods in that the former encourages family harmony. Similarly, they demonstrate that home-cooked meals are healthy due to the variety of choice, and low fats and calories content. Nonetheless, contemporary trends in income patterns and labor economics sometimes overshadow the differences, since high- purchasing power means that families can afford junky foods.

Works Cited

Heneline, Michael T. and Meeker, William C. Introduction to Public Health for Chiropractors . New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2009.

Keller, Kathleen. Encyclopedia of obesity, Volume 1 . New York: SAGE, 2008.

Waters, Elizabeth, et al. Preventing Childhood Obesity: Evidence Policy and Practice . New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2010.

Stuck with your Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

Fall of the Roman Republic, Essay Example

Should College Football Players Receive Pay? Essay Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a civic responsibility, essay example.

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Words: 356

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 448

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 999

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

Words: 371

Welcome Guest!

• IELTS Listening
• IELTS Reading
• IELTS Writing
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Speaking Part 2
• IELTS Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Practice Tests
• IELTS Listening Practice Tests
• IELTS Reading Practice Tests
• IELTS Writing Practice Tests
• IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
• All Courses
• IELTS Online Classes
• OET Online Classes
• PTE Online Classes
• CELPIP Online Classes
• Free Live Classes
• Australia PR
• Germany Job Seeker Visa
• Austria Job Seeker Visa
• Sweden Job Seeker Visa
• Study Abroad
• Student Testimonials
• Our Trainers
• IELTS Webinar
• Immigration Webinar

IELTS Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Fast Food

Updated On Nov 06, 2023

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

Task 2 of IELTS Writing is similar for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General. In this task, you will be expected to write an essay on a given topic. Different types of essays are given in the exam, advantages and disadvantages essay being one of them. Here, we will go through a sample answer of the IELTS essay on advantages and disadvantages of fast food.

Before proceeding to the sample answer, it is best to learn some ways to achieve a band score of 8 for Writing Task 2 that will help you write your own essay on the topic.

Here is a step-by-step guide to write such essays in Writing Task -1.

• Understand the Prompt: Read the essay prompt carefully and ensure you comprehend the topic. Identify whether you are required to discuss advantages, disadvantages, or both.
• Brainstorm Ideas: Spend a few minutes brainstorming points for each aspect (advantages and disadvantages) of the topic. Jot down key ideas and examples that support your arguments.
• Plan Your Essay: Create a rough outline for your essay. Decide on the structure, including how many paragraphs you’ll have and the main points for each section.
• Write the Introduction: Start with a clear and concise introduction. Mention that you will discuss both advantages and disadvantages in your essay. Provide a brief overview of your main points.
• Develop the Body Paragraphs: Dedicate one or two paragraphs to each aspect (advantages and disadvantages). Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point. Follow with supporting details, examples, and explanations.
• Address Each Point: Balance your discussion of advantages and disadvantages, giving roughly equal attention to both unless the prompt specifies otherwise.
• Write a Conclusion: Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs. Restate your position on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. Provide a final thought or recommendation, if appropriate.
• Proofread and Edit: Carefully review your essay for grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling errors. Ensure that your sentences are clear and concise. Check that your essay meets the word count requirement.

Now, let us learn how to frame an essay using the above-mentioned steps.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task .

Write at least 250 words.

Nowadays people have greater access to fast food. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Advantages – Disadvantages Essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay and mention that the essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages.

Paragraph 1: Advantages of access to fast food

Paragraph 2: Disadvantages of access to fast food

Conclusion 

Clearly restate points covered in the essay.

Sample Answer 1 

The traction towards fast food has been on the rise for the past few years. As a result, fast-food outlets have mushroomed in every corner of the world. This essay will discuss both sides of this inclination and highlight how the disadvantages of the rampant availability of fast foods outweigh the advantages.

On the bright side, the availability of fast food is a boon to the working population as well as people who live alone away from home. Nowadays, it is quite common for spouses to go outside to work. Consequently, the easy access to these foods makes life easier for them as they juggle their office and home chores . Moreover, these convenience foods are economical and delectable if bought from appropriate places. Therefore, they are the best alternatives for healthy food, which is sometimes exorbitant .

However, unbridled accessibility and consumption of fast foods have an array of adverse effects. Firstly, it affects the health of the consumer and raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases, dental problems, etc. Obesity is one of the major side effects of these foods. Secondly, the innumerable ways of obtaining fast food is making people sluggish . For example, due to online delivery options like Zomato, Swiggy, etc., people do not have to go out to eat. This makes them dependent on these apps and gradually, they give up cooking and become torpid . Lastly, overconsumption of fast foods can lead to mental issues like depression and anxiety, as argued by many scientific researchers. They claim as people are more inclined towards eating fast foods, they do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, which contributes to these issues.

In the end, even though fast foods are easy to cook, inexpensive and readily available, greater access to them certainly has more pitfalls than gains.

• Traction (noun)

Meaning: the extent to which something new becomes popular

E.g: His debut album gained a lot of traction.

• Mushroomed (verb)

Meaning: increase, spread, or develop rapidly

E.g: Beauty salons have mushroomed in our village in the past two years.

• Rampant (adjective)

Meaning: happening a lot or becoming worse, usually in a way that is out of control

E.g: The rampant poaching of animals and birds has led to biodiversity loss in many places.

• Boon (noun)

Meaning: a thing that is helpful or beneficial

E.g: The construction of the dam is a boon to the nearby villages.

• Chores (noun)

Meaning: a job or piece of work that needs to be done regularly

E.g: I divide the chores equally among all members of the household.

• Exorbitant (adjective)

Meaning: much more than is reasonable

E.g: The supermarket charges an exorbitant price for most items it sells.

• Unbridled (adjective)

Meaning: unrestrained

E.g: Letting the tiger roam unbridled in the forest can be dangerous to the nearby villages.

• Sluggish (adjective)

Meaning: lacking in energy; lazy

E.g: My son has become sluggish.

• Torpid (adjective)

Meaning: not active

E.g: Most students in our high school are torpid.

• Pitfall (noun)

Meaning: problem that is likely to happen

E.g: There are pitfalls of using cars on these roads.

Looking for expert advice to ace IELTS? Worry no more. Check out our guide on IELTS Exam Preparation tips .

Sample Answer 2 (320 words)

In today’s fast-paced world, access to fast food has become more convenient than ever before. This essay will explore both the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

One of the primary advantages of greater access to fast food is convenience. Fast food restaurants are widely available, often 24/7, allowing people to grab a quick meal on their way to work or when they have a busy schedule.

Another advantage is the affordability of fast food. In comparison to dining at traditional restaurants, fast food is usually more budget-friendly. Families on a tight budget often find it economical to choose fast food as an occasional dining option.

Furthermore, fast food establishments often offer a variety of menu choices. This allows consumers to select from a range of options, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.

On the flip side, greater access to fast food can lead to health-related problems. Many fast food items are high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sugar, which can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Excessive consumption of fast food has been linked to various health issues, making it a concerning aspect of this accessibility.

Another disadvantage is the environmental impact of the fast food industry. The production and distribution of fast food contribute to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and excessive waste generation. This has a detrimental effect on the environment and contributes to climate change.

Moreover, the convenience of fast food may lead to a decline in home-cooked meals. As more people opt for the ease of fast food, traditional cooking skills may erode, resulting in a loss of cultural culinary traditions and diminished family bonding over meals.

In conclusion, while greater access to fast food offers convenience, affordability, and menu diversity, it also presents significant disadvantages such as health concerns, environmental issues, and a potential decline in home cooking. Whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages largely depends on an individual’s choices and lifestyle.

• Convenience (Noun)

Meaning: Suitable for one’s needs; making life easier.

Eg: The convenience of online shopping has revolutionized the way we shop.

• Budget-friendly (Adjective)

Meaning: Cost-effective; not expensive.

Eg: The local farmer’s market offers budget-friendly organic produce.

• Diverse (Adjective)

Meaning: Showing a great deal of variety; different.

Eg: The city’s cultural festival showcased diverse traditions from around the world.

• Obesity (Noun)

Meaning: Excessive body weight often associated with health issues.

Eg: Childhood obesity is a growing concern in many developed countries.

• Deforestation (Noun)

Meaning: The action of clearing forests, often for agricultural purposes.

Eg: Deforestation has led to the loss of many endangered species’ habitats.

• Culinary (Adjective)

Meaning: Relating to the practice or skills of cooking.

Eg: The culinary school offers a wide range of cooking courses.

• Erode (Verb)

Meaning: Gradually destroy or diminish something over time.

Eg: The constant exposure to water eroded the coastline.

• Cultural Traditions (Phrase)

Meaning: The customs, beliefs, and practices passed down within a society.

Eg: Preserving cultural traditions is essential for maintaining a sense of identity.

Also, check:

• IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 8.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Travel
• IELTS Writing Actual Test In 2016 & Band 8.0 Sample Advantage/Disadvantage Essays
• IELTS Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.5 – Topic: Traffic & Accommodation
• IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 9.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Gap Year
• IELTS Writing Actual Test In April 2016 – Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic & Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

Practice IELTS Writing Task 1 based on report types

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

Smruti is a passionate and highly skilled content writer working in this field for the past 2 years. She is known for her ability to craft compelling and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a deep love for words, Smruti has expertized herself with the latest industry trends. Her commitment to producing high-quality content that resonates with audiences is highly valued.

Post your Comments

Recent articles.

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Raajdeep Saha

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Get free eBook to excel in test

Please enter Email ID

Get support from an Band 9 trainer

Please enter phone number

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

• 1(877)219-7556 1(877)733-3925

Fully unique works only

Your privacy is our concern

Writing that is plagiarism free

Free Fast Food vs Home Cooked Meals Contrast and Comparison Essay Sample

Eating well day in day out should be our goal. This is because diets never work and the results do not last for a long time. People should eat in a healthy way because good food is enjoyable and integral part of the daily life. Many people believe that eating well begins in the home kitchen. Too often people eat in a rush away from home. Fast food is fat and high in calories but low in nutrients. In some cases it is possible to find healthy meals in restaurants or low-fat prepared foods in markets. Home cooked meals are healthier, tastier and more economical. Golson learned that the food we make at home will be fresher and more wholesome than anything found at a restaurant. Lacalamita&Vance argue that fast food is consistently prepared and provides good value for the dollar when all other issues are cast aside. However, reliance on a fast food diet leads to health concerns such as obesity and heart disease. On the other hand, sitting down to a home-cooked, well-balanced meal is preferable to wolfing down a high-fat meal of little nutritional value and fiber, along with a sugary carbonated drinks.

Eating out is a part of today’s lifestyle. Hoeger & Sharon says that in the late 1970s, food eaten away from home represented about 18 percent of the energy intake. In the mid-1990s this figure rose to 32 percent hence almost half of the money Americans spend on food today is on meals away from home. Eating out would not be such a problem if portion sizes were reasonable or if the restaurant food were similar to the food prepared at home. In comparison with home-cooked meals, the restaurant and fast food meals are higher in fat and calories and lower in essential nutrients and fiber. Food portions in fast-food have increased substantially in size. Hoeger & Sharon stated that “patrons consume huge amounts of food, almost as if this were the last meal they will ever have”. Eating out menus may include selections that are called healthy choices but these items may not provide nutritional information including calories. Fast-food menus have many other choices that look delicious but provide larger serving sizes with more fat and calories and fewer fruits and vegetables. Hoeger & Sharon say that it is difficult to make a healthy selection because people tend to choose food for its taste, convenience and cost instead of nutrition.

Pros and cons of eating out

Fast-food is often less healthy than we think. Greer established that eating out can be tough issue for many people. While many people strive to be health conscious, we often view an evening of dinning at a nice restaurant as a treat or reward and thus tend to over-indulge. The most fundamental thing to note is that when people eat out at restaurants, they consume a greater quantity of saturated fat and calories, fewer nutrients and less fiber than when they eat at home. Greer says that “children eat almost twice as many calories in the average meal compared to a home-cooked meal”.

Valenti & Orey say that when an individual eats out he or she does not know what he or she is getting. This is because the media is constantly doing cover stories about mysterious things that go on in meat packing companies, foods that are not being cooked long enough in fast food places and restaurants that have health violations. Another disadvantage of eating out is that people consume hidden fats. Valenti & Orey says that even though the base of the meal may contain chicken, beef, eggs or cheese, these foods will be cooked in fake butter or oils.

Though eating out may be little harder on one’s pocket, it does not have to be unhealthy. Legere says that as a rule of thumb, while eating out people should stick to the main concepts of healthful eating that is applied to a home-cooked meal. He further continues to indicate that people should know that larger portions of fast foods served in restaurants are a marketing ploy and usually provide far more food a person needs. Legere says that instead of fried foods, one should order foods that are broiled, boiled, steamed, grilled or baked.

Eating home cooked meal

House stated that it has not been a secret that fast food, junk food, quick food, even restaurant food was sweeter, saltier, creamier, more fried and more fake than our basic home-cooked meals. This is because we have no control over what a restaurant makes for us. At home we can make fresh, fun, tasty meals just the way we like, in our own schedule and within healthy reasonable budget. House noted that “through home-cooked meals one can personalize the dishes just the way the family likes, all the while using lower-fat, lower-calorie and even fresher ingredients”. House also says that the food does not have to be fried, slathered, sauced or sizzled. With home-cooked meals, one can do it in the way the family will enjoy, which will not make an individual feel guilty about feeding it to the family.

Home-cooked meals enable us to control when the family eats, where they eat, what they eat and how healthy they eat. House says that every family has unique tastes and palette and the last thing that they should do is to sacrifice taste for health. In this context the best way to ensure we are eating nutrient dense food is to cook our meals at home, using raw ingredients, rather than relying on processed or pre-packaged foods.

Pros and cons of eating a home cooked meal

Borboa researched that eating out, dining by delivery, drive-thru and grocery store frozen main courses not only put ones health and waistline at risk but they are expensive and in many cases take just as much time if not more than cooking a meal at home. Borboa says that gathering the family around the dinner table or even better, having the family help with the meal before it gets to the dinner table presents a tasty opportunity to spend quality time together. Through home-cooked meals the children are taught a valuable lesson in health promoting, money-saving life skills. Borboa further says that through home-cooked meals the children grow up with the positive perspective that home-cooked meals are the norm even for the busiest families.

If a person respects the importance of cooking meals at home, he or she gains a profusion of advantages that are so rarely acknowledged as a count among the best kept secrets of our day. According to Mendelson, in addition to saving money, cooking at home helps us to be healthier, happier, more secure and it provides a wonderful way for us to be with our families. Another advantage is that it takes less time than going out to a nice restaurant; a person enjoys better tasting food and knows much more about its history and preparation. He further says that cooking at home also increases one’s control over the cleanliness and quality of ingredients and cares what goes into the food and establishes one more area in life in which he or she can be independent and knowledgeable.

Home-cooked meals satisfy emotional hungers as real as hunger in the belly and nothing else does so in the same way. Mendelson says that they promote affection and intimacy among those who share them. Cooking at home is like the past and future and solidifies the sense of identity and place. Mendelson mentioned that “home-cooking can offer the essential portion sizes, sophisticated attention to individual nutrition and diet needs, freedom of repetition because people in their homes know what they have eaten today, yesterday and last week, menus that reflects likes and dislikes in fat and salt levels as well as flavors, ingredients and preparation styles”. Through home cooking we can make almost anything in the world that we want, and we can make family or ethnic dishes just the way we like them. When we have satisfying, well designed meals at home, we are going to be less prone to overeating and nibbling, not only due to the types of foods we are likely to prepare but because the very emotional satisfaction offered by home-cooked meals helps to assuage the feelings of emptiness that make some of us eat when we are not really hungry.

Every parent discovers that the emotional comfort of home cooking is important for children. Mendelson noted that sharing meals with the children in the privacy of home environment reinforces the parents’ authority and beneficence in the children’s eyes and helps to increase their trust and pride in the parents’ abilities. Additionally, if children do not become accustomed to the taste of healthy foods at home, they are an easy target for marketers’ who want them to buy unhealthy foods away from homes. Mendelson says that such food contains high levels of fat, far too much salt and sugar, hidden ingredients and perhaps, the most harmful of all, textures and tastes that cannot be imitated at home. When children become accustomed to all tastes and styles of fast food and other commercial food, meals prepared at home that are healthier and better may nonetheless seem to taste wrong to them in the long run.

Our features

300 words per page instead of 280

Free revision (on demand)

Discount system

Affiliate program

VIP services

Round-the-clock support

Being healthy

Health education campaigns currently provide information on what is healthy and stress the health as a motivation for eating behavior. Ogden says that there is a fundamental increase in the number of foods available and marketed as being healthy. Ogden mentioned that these include healthy options with low fat and low salt content and specific food products designed to lower cholesterol or protect against cancer or heart diseases. Being healthy is determined by ones eating behavior hence it possible that for people without any health related symptoms, health concerns are of low salience and do not impact upon their decisions about eating behavior in any significant way. Health concerns, according to Ogden, may become more of a motivational force once a person’s health starts to suffer and once he or she experiences symptoms which he or she believes may be modifiable by their behavior.

Being healthy requires that we take control and start making the efforts to decrease our food portions, substituting healthy foods for not so healthy foods and exercising, unless restricted by our physician. Leacock-Ballish says that we must shop wisely and prepare our own meals at home. In addition, Leacock-Ballish studied that we have to start somewhere and that somewhere is the first learning to commit to being healthy, which cannot take effect unless we start the doing process which includes shopping for our food items and knowing in advance what we want to purchase. Being healthy requires us to practice the reading labels which are a big part of a smart grocery shopping and then once we have purchased the healthy items, we have to commit to healthy preparation.

It is important for people to realize that it does not make any sense to buy healthy food items and then prepare them in an unhealthy way. Jacob, Chan & Thiessen in their studies noted that food should not be used as a reward or bribe for good behavior or for preventing the bad one. Parents should understand that all foods even treats can fit into a healthy diet. To be healthy we should choose the healthier foods more often and not so-healthy ones from time to time. Jacob, Chan & Thiessen identified that children do not have the knowledge to make healthy food choices hence they depend on their parents to offer healthy and varied food choices. This provides them with the foundation of being healthy and it is a basis of good eating habits even for the most fastidious eater.

Although eating out can be fun, the research of home-cooked food presents individuals with the best option for living healthy. People should realize that large food portions and flavors served in fast-food restaurants are marketing strategies which seek to encourage customers. Scholars assert that eating out would not be a big issue if the quality of restaurant food was similar to the quality of food prepared at home. The home cooked and fast food cannot be compared. From the economics perspective home-cooked food is more economical since it restrains individuals from spending heavily on fast-foods. The research shows that when people engage in preparing their own food they reduce the risks of their health concerns and averts diseases such as obesity, cancer and other related health complications such as heart diseases. Fast food is steadily prepared and provides good value for our money and time when all other issues are cast aside.

From the research we realize that eating out can be reasonable only if the quality of such meals is improved. Restaurants should address concerns such as reducing fat and calories and increasing essential nutrients and fiber. Fast foods should provide nutritional information to enable people to make the right choices. While eating out saves our time and the dedication required in shopping and preparing the meals at home, people should stick to the concepts of health eating. On the other hand, home-cooked foods play a key role in monitoring our diet in what people can come up with weekly menu of what they will eat. Home cooking gives us the opportunity to use raw ingredients instead of focusing heavily on the pre-packaged foods. People take control of the cleanliness of the food they consume when they prepare their meals. Fast food and home-cooked foods determine our eating habits and influence our body health. Being healthy requires taking control of the food portions we take be it fast food or home-cooked foods. The benefits associated with home-cooked food outweigh those of fast-foods on the basis of our health, hygiene and economics.

In conclusion, what people eat defines them, whereas how food is cooked defines our society and culture. Therefore we should strive to eat healthy foods always. This will promote our wellbeing. With home-cooked meal one knows exactly what is in the meal and one can adjust the seasoning or ingredients exactly to his or her liking. There are intangible benefits of cooking at home unlike eating out. Though fast foods save individuals from the hustle of buying and preparing food, home cooking is significant when health matters are put into serious considerations. Studies show that people who prefer cooking for themselves eat a home-cooked meal in a less rushed way, rather than a carton of take-out set on the table.

Have NO Inspiration to write your essay?

Ask for Professional help

Search Free Essay

Please note!

Some text in the modal.

Fast food IELTS sample essay with vocabulary

Our band nine sample essays give you the opportunity to learn from successful essays that show off the best structure, vocabulary and grammar. This IELTS essay on fast food gives the advantages and disadvantages of this type of meal.

Band nine sample essay

Fast food is increasingly popular in large cities. compare the advantages and disadvantages of this type of food and give your own opinion. .

Despite many healthy eating campaigns, demand for junk food has skyrocketed in recent years. In this essay, I will explore the advantage that this food is affordable with the disadvantage to consumers’ health. 

To begin, fast food allows people to grab a quick bite to eat without spending too much money. As the world has been hit by inflation and stagnant wage growth over the last year, more and more consumers have been unable to find affordable meals on the go . If someone finds themselves in this situation, fast food can help them to afford to eat. Furthermore, for parents, who are deeply affected by price rises, many fast food restaurants have multi-buy meal deals which are suitable for a whole family and which can help them cope. 

However, regular fast food consumption is damaging for those who eat it. Because these foods are prepared in bulk , they rarely use fresh ingredients and often use additives, which can have a negative impact on people’s health. Furthermore, as the quality of the ingredients cannot be high while keeping prices low, these foods often rely on sugar and fats to make them taste better than they otherwise would. For example, compared to an organic homemade burger, a burger from a fast food chain is likely to be full of chemicals, use poor quality meat and bread, and use more sugar and fat than is necessary.

To conclude, fast food is beneficial as it helps people to eat without breaking the bank . However, it also can be damaging to consumer’s health. For me, given that for many, the alternative to fast food is to not be able to afford to eat, fast food has more advantages than disadvantages.

Fast Food vocabulary

There is a lot of vocabulary you need to write an essay about fast food. I have highlighted some of the important terms from the essay below, but keep an eye out for other essays as there is more to know.

Related posts

Tastes Delicious

Forget Fast Food, 21 Homemade Recipes Are Way Better

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

Why settle for the ordinary when you can start your day with fluffy pancakes topped with homemade blueberry sauce? It’s like bringing the diner experience home, minus the wait time. Grab your spatula, and let’s make mornings more exciting. Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

Blackstone Smash Burger

Craving that unbeatable crunch of a perfectly smashed burger with all the fixings? This recipe brings the street food thrill right to your kitchen. You’ll wonder why you ever waited in line at a burger joint. Get the Recipe: Blackstone Smash Burger

Apple Cheddar Muffins

Imagine biting into a muffin and finding the perfect balance of tangy cheddar and sweet apple. It’s an unexpected combo that works wonders for your snack time. These muffins might just become your new go-to treat. Get the Recipe: Apple Cheddar Muffins

Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas

Combine the zestful taste of al pastor with the comfort of a cheesy quesadilla, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. It’s a fusion dish that brings a bit of excitement to your dinner routine. Trust me, your skillet is calling. Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas

Pizza Muffins

Who says you can’t have pizza anytime? These pizza muffins pack all your favorite flavors into a bite-sized delight perfect for on-the-go snacking or lunch boxes. Say goodbye to cold delivery pizza. Get the Recipe: Pizza Muffins

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Simplify your dinner plans without sacrificing flavor with a dish that requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum taste. It’s all about letting time do the work and making your culinary life a breeze. Perfect for those busy days. Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Chicken Zoodle Soup

Say hello to a lighter, yet equally comforting version of your favorite soup. Swapping pasta for zoodles adds a fresh twist without losing the heartwarming goodness you crave. A bowl of this will surely warm up any rainy day. Get the Recipe: Chicken Zoodle Soup

Beef & Broccoli

Skip the takeout and whip up a classic that rivals your local joint. It’s all about that savory sauce and tender beef that makes you want seconds. Fast, simple, and utterly delicious. Get the Recipe: Beef & Broccoli

Pizza Casserole

Dive into layers of your beloved pizza toppings, all baked together in one heavenly dish. It’s a fun twist on pizza night that will have everyone rushing to the table. Who knew casserole could be this exciting? Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole

Low Carb Breakfast Sausage

Jumpstart your morning with a protein-packed favorite that fits perfectly into your keto lifestyle. Making your own means you’re in control of the flavor. Morning meals are looking up. Get the Recipe: Keto Breakfast Sausage

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

When you need a dose of comfort, nothing beats the trio of chicken, bacon, and ranch baked to perfection. It’s like your favorite sandwich decided to become a casserole. Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot better. Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Forget about dry, bland chicken. These juicy bites smothered in garlic butter sauce are about to become your new favorite way to do dinner. Quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

For those days when only something sweet will do, these bars are your answer. Think of your favorite treats all combined into one irresistible square. A surefire way to brighten anyone’s day. Get the Recipe: Molly Bars

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Looking for a hearty dish that comes together in no time? The combination of pillowy gnocchi with savory sausage and slightly bitter broccoli rabe hits all the right notes. It’s a skillet full of comfort. Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Raspberry Crumb Cake

This isn’t just any cake; it’s a fruity, crumbly paradise in every bite. The tartness of raspberries paired with a sweet topping makes for a perfect balance. Great for breakfast or dessert. Get the Recipe: Raspberry Crumb Cake

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Bring the flavors of the Mediterranean to your table with a salad that’s as colorful as it is delicious. It’s the perfect blend of fresh, juicy, and satisfying. Light yet fulfilling. Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Zucchini & Walnut Muffins

Bring a bit of healthfulness to your snack table without giving up on taste. These muffins are moist, nutty, and just sweet enough. Ideal for those who like a little goodness in their goodies. Get the Recipe: Zucchini & Walnut Muffins

Chicken Piccata

Bring a bit of zing to your chicken with a dish that’s both tangy and savory. It’s a classic for a reason – because it’s always a hit. Elegant yet easy, it’s a win-win. Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Beefy John Wayne Casserole

Packed with flavors that’ll remind you of the Wild West, this casserole is a hearty nod to the legendary actor. It’s a robust, meaty, and cheesy delight that’s bound to become a family favorite. Get the Recipe: Beefy John Wayne Casserole

More for You

12 Ordering Mistakes You're Making At Subway, According To Employees

Senator Says the Bible Doesn't Need Donald Trump's Endorsement

How to get rid of stink bugs, according to an entomologist

Meet the world's biggest dog breed—and see how other big breeds compare

Nate Berkus And Jeremiah Brent's Simple Tip For Making Any Home Smell Amazing

The Trick for Making Roasted Asparagus Taste Like a Restaurant's

Actor Chance Perdomo dies in motorcycle accident

Sydney Sweeney bought her great-grandmother's house back after the family had to give it up. Here's how you can protect your family's most important assets

Costco brings back a food court fan favorite

16 Coolest Small Towns in the U.S. You’ve Never Heard Of

The Most Expensive Dog Breeds Money Can Buy in 2024

This is the easiest way to peel hard-boiled eggs

A Federal Judge Made a Rare TV Appearance to Condemn Trump's Comments About Judge Juan Merchan

6 Cars That Seem Expensive but Rarely Need Repairs

50 of the biggest moments in rock 'n' roll history

Patriots special teams ace announces retirement

Netflix Drama: 25 Gripping Series That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat

Can You Eat Potatoes with Sprouts?

“People say Kawhi won the championship for us… I never believed” - Raptors superfan blasts Kawhi Leonard after 2019 NBA title win

Russia's 'Mobile Fire Groups' Hint at Deeper Problem: ISW

• Search the site Please fill out this field.
• Saved Items & Collections
• Add a Recipe
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Food News and Trends
• Product Reviews and Buying Guides

I Tried Fried Chicken From 5 Popular Fast Food Restaurants and This Is the 1 I’ll Order Again and Again

Though the real winner has yet to be invented.

Allrecipes/Debbie Wolfe

If I didn’t know better, I’d think fried chicken was its own religion—and that’s not just because I live in the South . There is something truly magical about breaking down a whole bird and frying it to golden perfection ; transcendent, if you will. So it’s understandable that people get a little heated about it; Some swear by their recipe or cooking technique, and some have such a devotion to a certain drive-thru , they wouldn’t dare go anywhere else. 

Before we get to ranking said pull-up poultry stops and debating the finer points of fried fare, it’s a good idea to lay out the non-negotiables. How, exactly, are we deciding on the winner?

How I Tested

First: a note on pieces vs tenders. The goal of this experiment was not to venture into tenders or nuggets, as we already did that , but to focus on the whole pieces of the bird. You know, like the ones sold by the bucket. However, a couple tenders did sneak in here and I'm choosing to justify that by noting that these restaurants market themselves as fried chicken establishments, and offer said tenders by the family-sized pile.

Second, the parameters: I was looking for freshness, first and foremost. Chicken has a way of announcing loud and clear when it’s in less than pecking order (I can’t help myself, I’m sorry) and that’s a bonus when searching for the best fried chicken in the fast food market. Beyond being fresh, the ideal situation also calls for a crispy exterior hugging a moist and juicy interior.

Finally, let’s really get down to business: I’m talking crunchy nubbles. Not exactly the most technical term, but you know what I mean—those little morsels of extra crispy breading dotting the surface and wedged in the nooks and crannies of the piece of chicken. Is there anything better? I urge the congregation of fried chicken enthusiasts to consider that this is the coup de gras of the thing—the single element that takes good fried chicken into the realm of greatness. And I may be willing to die on this sword. You just have to have the nubbles. 

The Best Fast Food Fried Chicken, Ranked

5. zaxby's.

I don’t know if it was the styrofoam container (since it was the only stop to serve fried chicken in it) or what, but these tenders just didn’t smell fresh. I ordered them plain—which I never do—but this decision was due to A) trying to compare the order as fairly as possible to the others and B) because my usual purpose of patronizing a Zaxby’s is to obtain vehicles to deliver its sauce into my mouth. I’ll go ham on some soggy, likely previously-frozen crinkle fries if it means I get to guzzle that sauce—no shame. Perhaps the brand is aware of this and that pastel gold in those little black plastic condiment containers eliminates any remaining desire to try.  

Biting into the tenders delivers notes of days-old fryer oil and a texture that conjures rubber. There’s a nubby or two on the ends but I’m not sure if we can really count these as nubbles, so much as the breading attempting to flee the coop (someone stop me). Forgive me, Zaxbys. I wanted better for you. I’ll still return for my standard order.

4. Slim Chickens

A couple things: Number 1, the staff was unbelievably kind. I had no idea what I wanted, because I had never been there before, and they still rattled off the options and long list of sauces like gleeful pros. Number 2, the bag was emanating an amazing smell when it entered my car. Number 3, the tenders were delicious. The outer breading was perfectly golden brown and crisp with an excellent nubble ratio and a deep, savory flavor that was black pepper-forward. Biting into it highlighted large flakes of good quality chicken meat. 

This was a thing of beauty that could easily hang with the other chicken pieces. I could eat it without ketchup, without ranch , without anything. A mark of quality especially important for a tender, whose very shape is designed for dipping. Not to mention, the very idea of most chicken is that it's a blank canvas for whatever sauce you’d like to consume, but would look like an idiot delivering it into your mouth on its own. (Ever see someone downing a sauce packet? You’d look at them funny.) Pleasantly surprised here. Slim Chickens is only so far down the list because of technicalities. If the chain sold legs and thighs, it'd likely be in a higher spot. 

The home of the bucket chicken offers original or crispy and I got the original because, well, it’s the original, but now I wonder if I should have gotten the crispy to more adequately compare it to places like Popeyes.

The smell of this two-piece box was disappointingly old, but the chicken was hot, if quite soggy in both appearance and bite. And speaking of the bite, it was just how I remembered it from my youth–startlingly salty yet I couldn't keep myself from going back for more and more. Don’t underestimate the power of nostalgia. It can cover all manners of evils, or in this case, sogginess. There’s just something so darn tasty about those 11 herbs and spices . 

2. Bojangles

Crispy nubbles run rampant here. All. Of. The. Nubbles. And these weren’t just dots of it, but thick ripples and ridges of breading, like crashing waves of flavor. The chicken was truly crispy all the way around. (For both Bojangles and the winner, there was an audible crunch as I bit into the chicken. Always a good sign.) It didn’t smell or taste quite as fresh as the winner, but the meat was still pretty great and far beyond what I ever expected from a drive-thru. The breading sheltered some spices, as well, though I doubt it can claim 11 like the Colonel. I’m not sure if I detected paprika, but my mouth was very warm, almost like there was a bit of hot sauce coating all the surfaces of my mouth. I wouldn’t describe it as spicy and it certainly didn’t build, but there was some delightful warming heat to it. 

Bottom line: incredibly tasty. Would definitely order again. And luckily the chain announced expansion plans recently .

Do I “love that chicken from Popeyes”? I sure do!

Whatever the “buttermilk process” is that the chain promises, you can see and taste it. When I first picked it up out of the container, it felt a little soggy and I was concerned it wouldn’t actually be crispy. Nope! That was just an indication of moisture in the chicken itself, no sogginess to be seen. I uttered an actual “wow” after my first (ok and my second and third) bite. The chicken itself tasted buttery. 

I fully understand this craze now. The pieces had a lot less seasoning than any other place on this list, but sometimes there’s something to be said for simple salt and whatever else these people are using to create this magic. So homestyle Southern, even the chicken tasted like a biscuit. A juicy biscuit with a crust like cornflakes with nubbles resplendent. Buttery, salty, cornflake nubbles: nice.  I’ll return on purpose with purpose. 

The Bottom Line

While Popeyes is currently the best on the market, you know what would really be a winner? Popeyes chicken and breading but with the KFC seasoning in it. Someone should make that recipe. Maybe I will. 

You’ll Also Love

From tacos to gumbo, recipes to celebrate the evolution of California soul food

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

You are reading our Cooking newsletter

Sign up to get a taste of Los Angeles — and the world — in your own home and in your inbox every Friday

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Southern California’s love affair with the taco is hardly a secret. Here in Los Angeles, we’re privy to innumerable regional takes, all reflecting waves of historical and recent immigration to California from Mexico’s distinct regions, and the culinary practices that migrate as well.

The tacos I grew up eating at home resemble the tacos dorados that San Bernardino’s family-owned Mitla Cafe introduced to the region in 1937. At times referred to as the “gringo” taco (and sometimes disparaged as such by people with ethnic Mexican heritage), this style of taco eventually became popular at fast-casual restaurants across America. In fact, as Times columnist Gustavo Arellano wrote in his book “Taco USA,” Mitla Cafe was the place that inspired Taco Bell founder Glen Bell to start the now-global chain.

I was raised across San Diego and Riverside before settling in Los Angeles in adulthood. As I began exploring the city’s Black-owned restaurant scene as a food journalist, I noticed overlap between the tacos my mother made for my siblings and me at home and the ones offered at spots around town. Often, the same folded and fried tortilla shell was featured with ground beef or turkey, yellow cheese, shredded lettuce and tomatoes.

“Being Black and growing up in Los Angeles, they were in every household. Everyone’s mom made tacos,” Alisa Reynolds, chef and owner of My 2 Cents on Pico Boulevard, told me for my L.A. Times Food feature “How we made tacos a Black thing in L.A.,” published this week.

More than 30 years ago, a pioneering class of Black chefs in L.A., many of whom were trained in their home kitchens, put their stamp on the taco, inducting it into California soul cuisine. The dish — what I’ve come to think of as the Black taco — has established itself as a local staple, with new Black-owned taco stands still building on its legacy today.

“I grew up around a lot of Hispanic people in Watts, but really, my tacos are inspired by my mom,” says Keith Garrett, who’s behind the All Flavor No Grease food truck that parks on the corner of Manchester and Western Avenue. “If she says she’s making tacos, it doesn’t matter where I am — I’m on the way,” he says, laughing.

Dig deeper into the evolution of Black tacos with my essay , as well as a guide with nine places to try Black tacos across L.A. and a profile of an elusive Leimert Park taco window that draws hours-long lines.

In the spirit of Black History Month and L.A.’s Black-led taco scene, I’ve collected a handful of recipes that celebrate the evolution of California soul food.

First, I dug through our archives to find recipes from “ Jemima Code ” and “ Jubilee ” cookbook author — and former L.A. Times Food journalist — Toni Tipton-Martin. The food historian and first Black food editor of a major newspaper (the Cleveland Plain Dealer) extols the benefits of turkey as a low-fat alternative to pork and beef, including a turkey tostada and Caribbean turkey salad.

And if you’re in the mood for a warming soup, try making the vegetarian gombo that chef Keith Corbin serves at his California soul restaurant Alta Adams .

Finally, if all that taco talk has you in the mood for a nostalgic take on a fast-casual favorite, I recommend columnist Jenn Harris’ homemade Taco Bell Crunchwrap supreme.

Eating out this week? Sign up for Tasting Notes to get our restaurant experts’ insights and off-the-cuff takes on where they’re dining right now.

Turkey Tostada With Chipotle Sauce

In a 1989 nutrition column for The Times, James Beard Award-winning author Toni Tipton-Martin provides guidance for adapting turkey to recipes traditionally made with pork or beef. She recommends making the turkey tostada by frying blue corn tortillas in oil until crisp and then patting them with paper towels to remove excess oil, a method that is common in Black taco preparations. Ground turkey also stands out as a common filling in Black tacos, though Tipton-Marin’s tostada features sliced and grilled turkey breast.

Get the recipe Makes 8 servings.

Caribbean Turkey Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

In the same roundup of turkey recipes, Tipton-Martin offers two easy, Caribbean-inspired recipes with honey-roasted turkey breast, including a citrus-driven salad with chopped pineapple and dried banana chips. If you’re craving something a bit heartier, her Island Turkey-Rice Salad substitutes orange juice for lime and adds rice, golden raisins and salted peanuts.

Get the recipe Makes 4 servings.

Island Turkey-Rice Salad

Get the recipe.

Makes 6 servings.

Vegan gombo

The designated state cuisine of Louisiana , gumbo — or “gombo,” the spelling closer to the West African word for “okra” — is a rich stew with trademarks that include shellfish, the Creole “holy trinity” of celery, onions and bell peppers and often, sausage and chicken. At the California soul restaurant Alta Adams, chef Keith Corbin reinterprets the Southern staple into a plant-based dish that brims with local produce. Make Corbin’s recipe to warm up the next time a rainstorm blows through Southern California.

Get the recipe. Makes 12-15 servings. Cooking time: 75 minutes to 2 hours.

Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme

No matter how much I “refine” my palate, it’s the nostalgic dishes I grew up with that remain the most satisfying, including my mother’s tacos. When her tacos are out of reach, I sate that craving with tacos from places like Sky’s Gourmet Tacos or Worldwide Tacos . Sometimes I attempt to make them at home.

Food columnist Jenn Harris’ Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme is perfect for when you’re craving fast-casual American-style tacos, but don’t want to brave the drive-through lines. Piled with cumin-seasoned ground beef, cheese sauce, shredded lettuce, tomato and sliced olives, it’s an elevated take on Taco Bell’s iconic item and overlaps with the tacos my mom made for me growing up.

Get the recipe. Makes 8 wraps. Cooking time: 45 minutes.

Enjoying this newsletter?

Consider becoming a Times subscriber .

Have a cooking question?

Eat your way across L.A.

Get our weekly Tasting Notes newsletter for reviews, news and more.

Danielle Dorsey is the assistant editor and writer of guides for the Food section. Previously, she was the senior West Coast editor at Thrillist, where she covered food, drink and travel across the California region. She grew up across San Diego and Riverside and has happily called Los Angeles home for more than 15 years.

More From the Los Angeles Times

How one mall has become a culture-defining hub for Orange County’s newest Koreatown

March 29, 2024

With fewer options, South L.A. braces for bigger bills at fast-food restaurants

New York’s fanciest ‘Korean wave’ restaurants go where L.A. doesn’t: caviar and kimchi

March 28, 2024

Where to eat, drink and party late-night in Koreatown

• Share full article

Advertisement

It’s Time for Honey Baked Ham

Not for you? There’s always carrot maqluba, or a no-recipe recipe for kielbasa with pierogies.

By Sam Sifton

Good morning. What I smelled during a 10-minute bicycle ride today: wood smoke, diesel exhaust, grass, frying bacon, rotting wood, bleach, balloon rubber, dollar pizza, a tendril of burning weed, the sharpness of electrical ozone, cart coffee and, last, the strong, sweet scent of lilies — Easter in the air. Good Friday!

There’ll be ham this weekend, at least for some: honey baked (above) or layered into sliders with Swiss cheese and a buttery glaze. If you’re amenable to the cut but didn’t manage to order one for the holiday, you can make what’s called a fresh ham : a pork butt scored and roasted beneath a lacquer of maple syrup and balsamic vinegar, with pecans and candied ginger. How about some Sweeney potatoes to go with it? Some creamy macaroni and cheese ?

Featured Recipe

Honey Baked Ham

View Recipe →

Some may prefer a paschal lamb, maybe butterflied with lemon salsa verde or braised with celery root purée. (I love this kind of Swedish version Craig Claiborne hustled up in the 1950s, with coffee and a sprinkling of sugar.)

Others will make a carrot maqluba or the creamy spiced eggplant known in India as bagara baingan to break the Ramadan fast.

Me, I’ll freestyle, cooking without recipes as has become my weekend passion, working off prompts that I give myself. For example: kielbasa with pierogies, applesauce and sautéed cabbage.

The kielbasa and pierogies are store-bought (though you can make your own pierogies easily enough), but the applesauce and cabbage are mine. Peel and chunk some Honeycrisps or Pink Ladies, then cook them soft in a pot with lemon juice, a cinnamon stick and perhaps a pod of star anise. These will mash together beautifully. (Remove the aromatics!) Then rub the sausage with a little bacon fat and roast it in a hot oven. Slice some red cabbage and a small onion or a couple of shallots, and cook all that in melted butter until just soft. Boil the pierogies briefly before sautéing them with butter so they go crisp on one side. Put a dollop of applesauce, a hunk of kielbasa and a serving of pierogies on each plate. Then hit the cabbage with a few tablespoons of prepared horseradish, ideally the sort cut with beets, and add the mixture to each plate. Serve with sour cream and mustard. That’s a terrific meal.

There are many more actual recipes waiting for you on New York Times Cooking . You do, yes, need a subscription to read them. Subscriptions support our work and allow it to continue. Please, if you haven’t done so already, would you consider subscribing today ? Thank you.

If you find yourself at odds with our technology, please write for help. We’re staffing the inbox at [email protected] , and someone will get back to you. Or you can write to me if you’d like to bark or simply say hello. I’m at [email protected] . I can’t respond to every letter. But I read every one I get.

Now, it has nothing whatsoever to do with cloves or cocktail onions, but it’s neat to see how Guy Ritchie transformed his terrible 2019 movie “The Gentlemen” into an entertaining series on Netflix, also called “ The Gentlemen .” Vinnie Jones as a gamekeeper? He’s still a gangster, and that’s the joy of it.

Stephen King’s first published novel, “ Carrie ,” turns 50 this year, and Margaret Atwood wrote the introduction to the anniversary edition, which will be out next month. It’s excerpted in The New York Times Book Review this week, alongside a terrific guide to “ The Essential Stephen King ” by my colleague Gilbert Cruz, editor of the Review.

Have you been watching “ Shogun ” on Hulu? I’m broken to the fist but still don’t know exactly what’s going on. The Times’s recaps of the episodes are helping.

Finally, here’s Olivia Rodrigo with “ So American .” Play that loud while you’re cooking. I’ll see you on Sunday !

Sam Sifton is an assistant managing editor, responsible for culture and lifestyle coverage, and the founding editor of New York Times Cooking . More about Sam Sifton

More on Food and Dining

Keep tabs on dining trends, restaurant reviews and recipes..

Flamboyant displays of fake flowers at restaurants have turned into a maximalist design movement , with one man as a chief trendsetter.

Perloo, a supremely comforting one-pot rice dish , i s a Lowcountry staple with roots in West Africa.

Some of the greatest meals pair exalted wines with foods considered humble. Exploring beyond the conventional can be joyous, like the timeless appeal  of Champagne and fried chicken.

For many Jamaicans, spice bun is a staple of Lent. But there’s nothing restrictive about this baked good , so named for its bold seasonings.

For Ecuadoreans, fanesca, a labor-intensive lenten soup  served just during the lead-up to Easter, is a staple of Holy Week festivities.

Sign up for our “ The Veggie ” newsletter to get vegetarian recipes  for weeknight cooking, packed lunches and dinner parties.

Eating in New York City

Once the pre-eminent food court in Flushing, Queens, for regional Chinese cuisines, the Golden Mall has reopened after a four-year renovation.   A new one in Manhattan  is on the horizon.

At Noksu, dinner is served below the street, a few yards from the subway turnstiles. But the room and the food seem unmoored from any particular place .

You thought Old World opulence was over ? A prolific chef gives it a new and very personal spin at Café Carmellini, Pete Wells writes.

Eyal Shani’s Port Sa’id challenges the conventional wisdom  that you can’t get good food in a restaurant with a turntable.

Homemade Food Is The Best Choice

Cooking and eating is always fun, especially homemade food. Food is one of the primary necessities of humans and also plays a vital role in maintaining good health. People work hard to eat; it does not matter if it is healthy or not, but healthy eating prevents a variety of health problems. For some people eating is an option, but for others they live to eat. People enjoy cooking their own meals; it gives us peace of mind, satisfaction, and a guarantee of cleanliness. Homemade food is always treated as a privilege, especially with our hectic life schedules. Now a days, people seldom cook at home and find a good reason to go out and eat. There are many different choices when it comes to food, but homemade food is the best choice …show more content…

They all love homemade food instead of fast food because they say it is delicious. Talking with people who cook at home, most stated that they make fresh ingredients at home, like grind and powder all seasonings and curries, so it gives the best flavor, taste, and smell. According to British Broad Casting, The World Health Organization recommends greatly reducing the intake of processed foods, because it is not freshly made and people do not know how long it is been in the freezer or what all ingredients in it (World). Eating at our own kitchen table allow us to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables so we can focus on all natural ingredients. Most of the people who cook at home have their own kitchen garden also, so all the vegetables are fresh and organic. This gives us a great satisfaction and peace of mind that it is fresh cooked meals from our own garden to the table. The second reason to eat homemade food is that it helps to improve our health. Before the wide spread availability of fast food restaurants, people always cooked their meals at home; because of this, they were healthier and lived longer. There were not so many diseases like myocardial infarction, diabetes, or hypertension; it is so popular now due to not controlling their diet or eating out all the time. These disease conditions not only affect our health but it also affects our economy. Unfortunately, many young adults or their

The Cooking animal

Cooking is something that has been around since the beginning and something that we cannot afford to loose. Cooking is what makes us human, what provides us with the right nutrients and what keeps us from falling into the industries trap. Michael Pollan’s The Cooking Animal reinforced my belief on the importance of home cooked meals and also expands it.

What If You Just Hate Making Dinner By Michael Moss

This essay compares Michael Moss’ “Junk Food” to Virginia Heffernan’s “What If You Just Hate Making Dinner”. Both of these authors write about food, and they specifically discuss the topic of junk food. The key difference between these articles is that Heffernan looks at the topic from the point of view of a consumer, a busy mother seeking a convenience; and Moss focuses more on the food and beverage industry and its impact on the consumers. Many industry professionals, doctors and scientists alike are concerned about spreading obesity epidemic. The similarities between “Junk Food” and “What If You Just Hate Making Dinner” are pronounced, and they deserve thorough investigation.

School Food Satire

Home cooked meals are so overrated. We don’t need real nutrition like that in homemade food we need processed federally funded food that makes my mouth water just by thinking about it. I am so blessed to live in a country where my school provides me with a healthy alternative to the same type of food my mom makes. Thank you school food, you’re saving my

Rhetorical Analysis Of Homemade Is The New Organic By Rachel Jones For The Atlantic

Nowadays, many people start living a healthy lifestyle. People realize an importance of caring about what is in their food and benefits of home cooked meals over processed food. Home Cooking is not just healthier, but also it has tons of benefits. Simple examples are saving money, controlling body weight and avoiding food poisoning. “Homemade is the New Organic” written by Rachel Jones for the Atlantic (2015), discussed the new food trend-cooking at home. In her article, she explained how cooking is becoming popular recently. An earlier time, a family which has low-income had no choice but to use homemade food. Today, however, meaning of homemade food changes. People start to appreciate the goodness of cooking at home and intentionally choose the homemade. Moreover, she mentioned that social media has a huge effect on this change. Since we have all the necessary tools and food in our kitchen, only a bit of time needs to be devoted. Basically, she tried to inform a general public that home cooking has an essential value in our life. In my opinion, Rachel successfully achieves her intention with the help of following rhetorical strategies: logos, ethos and counterpoint.

Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? By Mark Bittman

In the third section the author shows us that money is not the issue when it comes to making home cooked meals it’s the time and amount of effort people want to put into their meals. In the next section Bittman tells the readers about the effects of hyper processed foods on the brain. He states that it is like an addiction and can be just as bad as a smoker addicted to tobacco products. In the fifth section the author discusses changes that are needed to be made in how we show are kids the importance of cooking at home. He points out that this generation is eating unhealthy and should be taught how to cook meals in the home more. Parents are giving their children fast food or junk food for the convenience of time. In the concluding section the author discusses the effects of political and cultural impacts on are children and society. The author is wanting to change how we view what we eat and the environment that we are given. He's states that it is best to

Exam #00711800 the Writing Process, Part 2 Essay

That is how I prepare a simple yet satisfying meal for my family that takes roughly 45 minutes to prepare. Cooking meals like this saves money compared to going to restaurants all the time. I spend 15 dollars to make this rather than 25 to feed my family at McDonalds. If you’re either the cooker or the eater you get satisfaction by seeing your family enjoy the meal you prepared or enjoying the meal your loved one prepared.

Thanksgiving Drifts Summary

She turned something dull and boring into something that’s helpful and creative. Her superb use of examples made her article come to life as she showed precisely how leftovers can be appetizing. The benefits of using leftovers, which were shown throughout this essay, demonstrate why families should be more thoughtful about their food. Many people don’t have time every night to prepare a fresh dinner for their family, and don’t have the resources to buy additional food every week or two. Sustainable cooking has numerous benefits, many of which could save families time and money. Perhaps Americans should be more open to the idea of using

Analysis Of How Cooking Can Change Your Life By Michael Pollan

In “How Cooking Can Change Your Life” renowned author and food activist Michael Pollan argues that cooking is the most important step people can take to mend our country’s broken relationship with food. His main points are that cooking at home can improve the health of individuals and counteract our increasing dependence on large corporations. He argues how important cooking at home is detrimental to our overall health. Pollan says that eating fast food, highly processed convenience foods, and restaurant meals are detrimental to our health and well-being. If people were to just start cooking their own meals again at home, obesity and other diet related diseases would decrease in our society.

Diet Cookbook : Stop Looking For Those Diets For Losing Weight

When it comes to cooking you really have to think about who you are cooking for and what reason you are preparing the meal for. Is it just for you? Or is it for you and your family? Are you cooking for taste and pleasure? Or are you cooking simply for the macronutrient and micro nutrient content to further better yourself and reach your goals you have set for personal fitness and health?

Your Turn To Brag Analysis

Home cooked meals taste the best, and are usually the least expensive. My favorite meals are the ones that you help make yourself. Cooking is a hard task, so it is useful to have more than one person working on preparing it. Even if it's just pasta, you can feel accomplished knowing you put work into making it.

Wendell Berry The Pleasures Of Eating Summary

Some people say that they don’t have enough time to cook a good healthy meal, but that is no excuse to buy packaged food. Most commercials are about packaged food and they try to convince consumers to buy it. Since most believe it is an easy way to cook something fast, they buy it for their meal. The food industrialists have by now persuaded millions of consumers to prefer food that is already prepared. They will grow, deliver, and cook your food for you and beg you to eat it.

Compare And Contrast Eating Out And Eating At Home

Eating is essential part of our lives, and it is a necessity for human survival as it is for all other living species. While all living organisms need to eat to survive human race has more ways on how to satisfy their eating necessity. Two ways that humans can satisfy their hunger is by making a choice whether they prefer to eat out or stay at home and cook. Eating out has become popular trend in today’s society, especially among younger generations. With wide variety in delicious food offered, and chance to enjoy it with your loved ones, eating out has become primary choice for many busy adults. Eating at home gives us an opportunity to enjoy diverse food choices as well, and it can be also enjoyed with family and friends alike. Cooking is one of the oldest crafts that has been passed down from our older generations, and is still popular among many that enjoy preparing food at home. While eating out and eating at home are similar in variety of delicious foods offered, and chance to share it with our families and friends, nutritional health value choices are different for each of them. Eating out offers less control on nutritionally healthy food choices, and eating at home gives you more control on what kind of nutritional foods are we consuming.

Fast Food Vs Healthy Homemade Meals Essay

In today’s society, most people plan their daily meals around their busy schedules. Food plays an important role in our lives and most just rely on fast food because it is quicker and easier. However, devouring fast food is one of the worst choices you can make. In order to maintain proper health and prevent numerous illnesses and diseases, consuming healthy homemade meals is definitely a more ideal choice. According to a recent study, “when people cook most of their meals at home, they consume fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and less fat than those who cook less or not at all – even if they are not trying to lose weight” (Wolfson). Because many people work full time and get home very late, people continue to eat it without being aware of how unhealthy it is for you and the health risks that it can eventually bring on. Based on the demand for quality food choices of today’s generation, it is important to compare and contrast the effects of preparing healthy, homemade meals versus relying on fast food restaurants for daily eats.

Persuasive Speech On Prepared Food

When it comes down to feeding your body and mind, nothing is superior to preparing your food from scratch, with quality ingredients and served with love. If you have never experienced this phenomenon then try it out for 90 days and see how you feel. Come to that, see how your family feels as you work together in the kitchen to create a level of harmony and good health that is only possible when food is prepared in a loving manner, and eaten slowly with others. OK, so no excuses about time and schedules and…and…and. Instead let’s take a look at why preparing your food is a win-win situation for everyone.

Fast Food Vs. Healthy Homemade Meals Essay

In today’s society, most people plan their daily meals around their busy schedules. Food plays an important role in our lives and most people prefer what is quicker and easier on a day-to-day basis. However, devouring fast food is one of the worst choices you can make. In order to maintain proper health and prevent numerous illnesses and diseases, consuming healthy homemade meals is definitely a more ideal choice. According to a recent study, “when people cook most of their meals at home, they consume fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and less fat than those who cook less or not at all – even if they are not trying to lose weight” (Wolfson). Because many people work full time and get home very late, people continue to eat fast food without being aware of how unhealthy it really is for you and the health risks that it can eventually bring on. Based on the demand for quality food choices of today’s generation, it is important to compare and contrast the effects of preparing healthy, homemade meals versus relying on fast food restaurants for daily food consumption.

Related Topics

THE 10 BEST Restaurants in Elektrostal

Restaurants in elektrostal, establishment type, traveler rating, dietary restrictions, restaurant features.

• Amsterdam Moments
• Beer Club Tolsty Medved
• Restaurant Globus
• Cafe Antresole
• Fabrika Obedov
• Prima Bolshogo
• Coffee Shop Usy Teodora Glagoleva

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Why were so many metro stations in Moscow renamed?

Okhotny Ryad station in Soviet times and today.

The Moscow metro system has 275 stations, and 28 of them have been renamed at some point or other—and several times in some cases. Most of these are the oldest stations, which opened in 1935.

The politics of place names

The first station to change its name was Ulitsa Kominterna (Comintern Street). The Comintern was an international communist organization that ceased to exist in 1943, and after the war Moscow authorities decided to call the street named after it something else. In 1946, the station was renamed Kalininskaya. Then for several days in 1990, the station was called Vozdvizhenka, before eventually settling on Aleksandrovsky Sad, which is what it is called today.

The banner on the entraince reads: "Kalininskaya station." Now it's Alexandrovsky Sad.

Until 1957, Kropotkinskaya station was called Dvorets Sovetov ( Palace of Soviets ). There were plans to build a monumental Stalinist high-rise on the site of the nearby Cathedral of Christ the Saviour , which had been demolished. However, the project never got off the ground, and after Stalin's death the station was named after Kropotkinskaya Street, which passes above it.

Dvorets Sovetov station, 1935. Letters on the entrance: "Metro after Kaganovich."

Of course, politics was the main reason for changing station names. Initially, the Moscow Metro itself was named after Lazar Kaganovich, Joseph Stalin’s right-hand man. Kaganovich supervised the construction of the first metro line and was in charge of drawing up a master plan for reconstructing Moscow as the "capital of the proletariat."

In 1955, under Nikita Khrushchev's rule and during the denunciation of Stalin's personality cult, the Moscow Metro was named in honor of Vladimir Lenin.

Kropotkinskaya station, our days. Letters on the entrance: "Metropolitan after Lenin."

New Metro stations that have been opened since the collapse of the Soviet Union simply say "Moscow Metro," although the metro's affiliation with Vladimir Lenin has never officially been dropped.

Zyablikovo station. On the entrance, there are no more signs that the metro is named after Lenin.

Stations that bore the names of Stalin's associates were also renamed under Khrushchev. Additionally, some stations were named after a neighborhood or street and if these underwent name changes, the stations themselves had to be renamed as well.

Until 1961 the Moscow Metro had a Stalinskaya station that was adorned by a five-meter statue of the supreme leader. It is now called Semyonovskaya station.

Left: Stalinskaya station. Right: Now it's Semyonovskaya.

The biggest wholesale renaming of stations took place in 1990, when Moscow’s government decided to get rid of Soviet names. Overnight, 11 metro stations named after revolutionaries were given new names. Shcherbakovskaya became Alekseyevskaya, Gorkovskaya became Tverskaya, Ploshchad Nogina became Kitay-Gorod and Kirovskaya turned into Chistye Prudy. This seriously confused passengers, to put it mildly, and some older Muscovites still call Lubyanka station Dzerzhinskaya for old times' sake.

At the same time, certain stations have held onto their Soviet names. Marksistskaya and Kropotkinskaya, for instance, although there were plans to rename them too at one point.

"I still sometimes mix up Teatralnaya and Tverskaya stations,” one Moscow resident recalls .

 “Both have been renamed and both start with a ‘T.’ Vykhino still grates on the ear and, when in 1991 on the last day of my final year at school, we went to Kitay-Gorod to go on the river cruise boats, my classmates couldn’t believe that a station with that name existed."

The city government submitted a station name change for public discussion for the first time in 2015. The station in question was Voykovskaya, whose name derives from the revolutionary figure Pyotr Voykov. In the end, city residents voted against the name change, evidently not out of any affection for Voykov personally, but mainly because that was the name they were used to.

What stations changed their name most frequently?

Some stations have changed names three times. Apart from the above-mentioned Aleksandrovsky Sad (Ulitsa Kominterna->Kalininskaya->Vozdvizhenka->Aleksandrovsky Sad), a similar fate befell Partizanskaya station in the east of Moscow. Opened in 1944, it initially bore the ridiculously long name Izmaylovsky PKiO im. Stalina (Izmaylovsky Park of Culture and Rest Named After Stalin). In 1947, the station was renamed and simplified for convenience to Izmaylovskaya. Then in 1963 it was renamed yet again—this time to Izmaylovsky Park, having "donated" its previous name to the next station on the line. And in 2005 it was rechristened Partizanskaya to mark the 60th anniversary of victory in World War II. 

Partizanskaya metro station, nowadays.

Another interesting story involves Alekseyevskaya metro station. This name was originally proposed for the station, which opened in 1958, since a village with this name had been located here. It was then decided to call the station Shcherbakovskaya in honor of Aleksandr Shcherbakov, a politician who had been an associate of Stalin. Nikita Khrushchev had strained relations with Shcherbakov, however, and when he got word of it literally a few days before the station opening the builders had to hastily change all the signs. It ended up with the concise and politically correct name of Mir (Peace).

The name Shcherbakovskaya was restored in 1966 after Khrushchev's fall from power. It then became Alekseyevskaya in 1990.

Alekseyevskaya metro station.

But the station that holds the record for the most name changes is Okhotny Ryad, which opened in 1935 on the site of a cluster of market shops. When the metro system was renamed in honor of Lenin in 1955, this station was renamed after Kaganovich by way of compensation. The name lasted just two years though because in 1957 Kaganovich fell out of favor with Khrushchev, and the previous name was returned. But in 1961 it was rechristened yet again, this time in honor of Prospekt Marksa, which had just been built nearby.

Okhotny Ryad station in 1954 and Prospekt Marksa in 1986.

In 1990, two historical street names—Teatralny Proyezd and Mokhovaya Street—were revived to replace Prospekt Marksa, and the station once again became Okhotny Ryad.

Okhotny Ryad in 2020.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• 7 things that the USSR unexpectedly put on WHEELS
• Why did the USSR build subway stations inside residential buildings? (PHOTOS)
• How Russian trains deal with winter

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.

Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

Tips and Tricks to Help You Create a HIPAA Compliant Email

How to Stop Facial Hair Growth in Females Naturally

40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

LLC "GRAND FOOD"

• / BUSINESS DIRECTORY
• / WHOLESALE TRADE
• / MERCHANT WHOLESALERS, NONDURABLE GOODS
• / GROCERY AND RELATED PRODUCT MERCHANT WHOLESALERS
• / RUSSIAN FEDERATION
• / MOSCOW REGION
• / ELEKTROSTAL
• / LLC "GRAND FOOD"
• Aziz Kasimalievich Sultanov Director-General

Dynamic search and list-building capabilities

Real-time trigger alerts

Comprehensive company profiles

Valuable research and technology reports