Monday, November 7, 2011
Blog 13: Final Thoughts on Fast Food Nation
What is the most shocking or convincing argument that Schlosser makes in his book? Has this book changed the way you think about the food you eat? If you will continue to indulge in fast food, why are you making this decision? Has fast food gotten better or worse over the years since the publication of Schlosser's book?
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Mahalia Dees
ReplyDeleteSchlossser makes excellent arguments in his book explaining what is wrong with the industry as a whole as well as smaller issues with the industry from different angles. He talks about the entire process of the product, from how the food is grown, to how it is processed, to how it is cooked, to how it ends up on the plate. He also talks about all the people involve, the corporate executives, the cooks, the people that work in the factories, the scientists that develop the food.
The book has not changed the way I look at fast food because I saw the documentary Food, Inc. which was produced by Schlosser which states most of what was already said in the book. Nothing in the book shocked me or made me not want to stop eating fast food because I was already educated in the subject. Some of the ways fast food is produced and created was interesting. I learned that McDonald’s French fries use to be cooked in 93% beef tallow before being switched to vegetable oil with beef flavor additives. Most flavors, colors, and textures in fast food and junk food probably started in a laboratory in New Jersey.
Since seeing the movie however I have decreased the amount of fast food I eat because I know just how unhealthy it is and how ruthless many of the fast food companies are. I continue to eat fast food because it tastes good. I just decreased the amount I eat because it is unhealthy. I have fast food as a treat of some sorts. Like Krispy Kreme for example, everyone knows they are unhealthy but people eat them anyway, just not on a daily basis. Since the publication of Schlosser’s book in 2001, the fast food industry has made some changes. There are many more healthy items on menus across the board. However this is probably because healthy food is a new fad in American society today. Products that say “fat free,” “low sugar,” and the evermore popular “organic” are flying off shelves in supermarkets and being bought the most in restaurants, even if they are not truly what they are advertised to be.
Taylor Reuther
ReplyDeleteSchlosser made many arguments in the novel Fast Food Nation that were well researched and well put together. Many things shocked me in this book, but the most shocking things were about the fast food workers. The conditions of the workers in the factories were just appalling to me because it is absolutely insane and horrible to see what they go through on a daily basis. All of the blood and guts from the animals they slaughter is just sitting on the factory floor the whole day. The sanitary crew has the worst job cleaning up because of the heavy use of chemicals and the dangerous heights they have to climb to clean the entire factory.
Of course the book has made me think of what my food is really made of while I’m eating it, but who really cares? Not most people, which is why fast food is still so popular today. I still eat fast food because I like it and I’ve had it ever since I was younger, so I don’t think that many things will make me stop eating it. I’m still alive, so I say hey why not? I understand all the risks and the unhealthy side of the food, but it’s not like I eat it for every meal every day. I get it when it is convenient to me to eat.
Many fast food companies have added “healthier” options to their menus to make the restaurant seem like they care. The salads still have many calories and the healthy options are sometimes worse than the regular menu items. I’m sure the number of people eating fast food has increased because the number of fast food restaurants has increased over the years, especially internationally. Fast food isn’t good for you obviously, but really what food is 100% organic? Not very many, so basically everything we eat in our culture is “bad for you” if you think about it like that.
The most shocking argument that Scholosser makes in his book is the argument of how the big corporations treated the workers. Although the book is very convincing about the hidden truths of fast food, I still decided to eat the foods that these restaurants produce. I eat it without even thinking about it. Even though I know what it took to make and what is in the food I can't seem to stop eating the delicious foods. I made the decision to keep eating these foods because the taste is addicting. If you try it only once you will forever be addicted to it. I think fast food has gotten a little better since Scholosser published his book. Some are starting to add more healthy items to the menu. They are not targeting the kids as much as they were at first. They also have created new and safer was to produce the produces and also different ways to keep it clean and sanitary.
ReplyDeleteA second think that I found was shocking was the fact the chicken nuggets and the fries from McDonalds were higher in fat than the beef hamburgers. People try to eat less by just getting these items instead of the burger and they turn out to be just as fattening. It all tastes so good but is so unhealthy. These foods are have more fat because of the beef flavored oil that it is cooked in makes it taste just like the hamburgers also adds the fats that the hamburgers have. I still tend to eat these foods more than the hamburgers because they just taste better. Even though I know they are all unhealthy I continue to eat them. They are cheap, taste great, and have not affected my health in a major way. I am addicted.
Schlosser made many convincing and shocking arguments in Fast Food Nation. One argument that was really shocking to me was when he explained how there are chemicals in everything. Also, it shocked me to know how horrible companies and factories are really treating their workers. Overall, the injustice of the fast food industries appalls me.
ReplyDeleteThis book has definitely changed the way I think about food when I eat it. I noticed that after reading the book, I have been going to fast food restaurants less and less. There are times when I am sitting down at a restaurant eating and I let my mind wander. Sometimes when that happens, I always find myself thinking about where the food came from before it was prepared, cooked, and put in front of me. Sometimes I get paranoid and wonder if the workers are careless enough to drop the food, pick it back up, and sell it to me. The only reason why I do go to fast food restaurants sometimes is because it is easily accessible to me when I have other things to do and cannot cook for myself. Also, I might go if I have an intense craving for something. Otherwise, I would rather stay away from those foods unless I absolutely need to get it.
I believe food has gotten better and worse since the publishing of Schlosser’s book. I believe is has gotten better because the book increased the public’s knowledge of the food they are eating. Also, it lead to fast food restaurants changing their menu and food. However, there is an increase of organic food. The fad today is organic food. Due to that, many products that appear on our supermarket shelves may have the label organic on it. However, how do we really know that it is organic or not?
Anh Phuong Dang
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the most shocking and convincing argument that Schlosser makes in his book would have to be Chapter 8: The Most Dangerous Job. I am very shocked about what I have read. I think it is ridiculous and unfair for Americans to risk their life in a horrible environment, and yet get treated so poorly with a very low pay. Yes, this book has changed my perspective and the way I think about the food that I eat. I was never really aware of the process that the meats go through and the diseases that can contain in the meat that I consume at a McDonald’s or any other fast food restaurant. But I will continue to indulge in fast food and I am making this decision because fast food will always be in our American culture. It will always be the best alternative when I need to go on a lunch break at school or I need to get something quick after a hard night’s of work. I haven’t eaten it as much as I used to, but I still do eat it once in awhile. Even though I am very aware of what I indulge in, I just do not think about it at that moment. I think fast food has gotten better over the years since the publication of Schlosser’s book. There are now healthier menu items and fewer reports of diseases like E. coli O517:H7 and mad cow disease.
Schlosser made many shocking and convincing arguments in Fast Food Nation but the two arguments that caught my attention to most were the work condition in factories and what happens at slaughterhouses. Who ever knew that the workers at those factories were being treated that way? A person is supposed to enjoy their job, not get verbally abuse, tortured, or harassed by their managers. When I read the chapter about the slaughterhouses I was speechless. The workers at the slaughterhouses are cruel and heartless. The way they treated the cattle was horrible, having them eat their food while standing in feces and not feeding them the proper food. Not only were they doing that, but they were processing infected meat. Knowing that a cow had a disease they still sent it through the slaughterhouse and allowed the fast food restaurants to cook it and serve it to innocent customers.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Fast Food Nation, I always think about what I am eating, but I still continue to eat fast food. What I mean about thinking about what I am eating is, thinking can this meal be poisonous or what’s in this meal? When I consume beef I was think, did this beef come for a diseased or healthy cow? Even though I have those concerns about what I consume I continue to eat fast food because it is good and its quicker for me go to a fast food restaurant to get it rather than cooking a meal, also when I am at school I’ll rather eat fast food because the food here at Xavier’s University is disgusting. I don’t think I will ever stop eating fast food, tooo good to let go.
Over the years, since the publication of Fast Food nation, some fast food industries have made their food better by adding healthy meals to their menus. Now, some fast food restaurants serve fruit, salads, and food with lesser calories. Even though the fast food restaurants continue to serve unhealthy food, it’s up us to watch what we consume. Fast food industries are not forcing us to eat the unhealthy food; it’s us who chose to eat it.
Anthony Poche
ReplyDeleteIn Fast Food Nation, Schlosser makes various, strong arguments but I think the most interesting one is when he says that much of our food is not “real.” He exposes the translation of many overlooked and complicated ingredients included in most of our food. He explains the flavorists have the ability to make food taste whatever way they want. He goes through the chemicals used and complicated process companies go through for texture and flavor instead of just selling natural foods. This report and argument really put things in perspective for me and made me think twice about what I eat. After reading this book and gaining the knowledge Eric Schlosser provides, I now cannot help but view fast food as artificial. While reading the book I went to McDonald’s not realizing that I know so much about the food now. After eating, my stomach honestly felt really uneasy as i was reminded of the movie Food Inc. and everything I had read in Fast Food Nation. I do not think I can continue to eat fast food as I have done in the past. The reason for this is not necessarily because I am disgusted by the food; I actually think it tastes great. I do not think I will be eating fast food because I do not want to support a corporation that is responsible for treating workers so poorly and treating animals in a cruel and inhumane manner. I think the quality of food since the publishing of this book is steadily declining. I think this is because the companies are always looking to cut corners and will try to get away with whatever we, as consumers, will let them get away with.
Kierra Hitchens
ReplyDeleteThroughout Fast Food Nation, Schlosser talks about many amazing aspects of fast food and fast food companies. However two things about our food shocked me the most. One, was how the taste of our food is made and the Second was how our food was made, the working conditions of the people who make our food are terrible. I couldn’t believe the yummy taste of French fries and every other meal made today was used by a chemical made in a lab. It completely made me see food in a whole new way it wasn’t as exciting anymore. The working conditions of the people who make our food was a complete shock. I never pictured a factory making my food or that it we be such a devastating place to work. Though the book was great and had lots of evidence, I have a feeling I will continue to eat as I normally do. I now understand the dangers of the food I eat but I love food too much to stop eating it. I might change a few things about how I eat but for the most part I will eat the same as I did before. I’m not a really big fast food eater so the book didn’t really affect me, however I do eat an occasional fast food meal. In fact my favorite fast food place is Chick-fil-A. I didn’t really hear that many dangers or bad things about chicken throughout this book and Chick-fil-A is strictly against eating cows. I am making this decision because I like what I eat, and I don’t want to give up my yummy chicken sandwich. I love chicken too much. I think fast food has gotten better over the years since the publication of Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation. Fast food restaurants are starting to sell what seems like “healthier” foods. Kids are given fruits and milk with their kid’s meals and there are also healthy choices on the menus now, however it is your choice to take the healthy choices instead of the bad choices.
Chinedu Echebelem
ReplyDeleteSchlosser’s most shocking revelation in Fast Food Nation was in chapter five, “Why the Fries Taste So Good.” In this chapter, Schlosser mentions that almost every food product contains flavor additives and coloring agents. Schlosser states, “…McDonald’s cooked its French fries in a mixture of about 7 percent cottonseed oil and 93 percent beef tallow… more saturated beef fat per ounce than a McDonald’s hamburger.” I was very appalled when I learned of this. Another shocking disclosure was when Schlosser informed us readings of how “the basic science behind the scent of your shaving cream is the same as that governing the flavor of your TV dinner.” Schlosser also mentions that some of the same companies manufacture the smells of fragrances, food products, and even cleaning products.
Yes, I believe this book has left an impression on my eating habits. Since reading this book I have eaten a less amount of fast food. I have stayed away from fries and many other McDonald’s products. However, I don’t believe I will cease eating from fast food companies completely. I was aware of some of Schlosser’s arguments before reading this book and I still ate at fast food restaurants. There is just something about the taste of their products that gets me addicted.
Since Schlosser publication of this book the fast food industry has changed for the better. Several fast food industries now incorporate healthier meals into their menu such as salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, fruit cups, and grilled chicken wraps. Taco Bell has even provided its customers with a second option for meals with their all new Diet Fresco Menu. Taco Bell’s Diet Fresco Menu can help with calorie reductions of 20 to 100 per item compared to corresponding products on our regular menu. Wendy’s has also tried to go the healthy route by introducing their new natural cut sea-salt fries.
The most shocking or convincing argument that Schlosser made in his book was the way the bosses treat the workers. The way he talks about the poor conditions that young American teen and other fast food employees are working in. He states the bulk of the fast food industries are young adults who are being paid minimum wage, and the poor conditions that these workers are working in. The workers behind the counters of these fast food giants are working eight hours a day for minimum wage and often without any benefits or paid overtime. He creates a new perception for me on the way companies are run. The book has not changed the way I eat fast food because I was eating fast food before I read the book, and I will continue to eat fast food until it runs out. I believe that I am making the right decision in eating fast food because that’s what I was raised on. It is hard for a person to come home from a twelve hour shift at work and decide to cook a meal. The fact is it is unrealistic. Fast food is exacting what it says fast food. I got to eat something if my parents are too tired to cook. To be honest, I haven’t noticed much change in the fast food industry since Schlosser’s book was published. The only thing that may have chance was that companies have tried to a little bit safer with the preparation of their product. The one thing that I really liked though was when a student asked the author whether or not he has been sued. He then said no because the companies know that if they sue me then I am able to ask them any type question I please.
ReplyDeletepeter huynh
ReplyDeleteThe most shocking or convincing argument that Schlosser makes in this book is when he brings up the conditions of the slaughterhouse and the truth behind their production. It had me wondering whether or not I should continue to eat fast food anymore, because I would know what could’ve happened to the food that is about to go into my stomach and be digested. What if it is contaminated meat? What if I get sick because of the animal was sick when it was processed? I even considered becoming a vegetarian because of how disgusted I was of the conditions Schlosser exposed in the Fast Food Nations novel. I am eighteen years old; therefore, I am a teenage growing male. I love food and I consider eating to be a hobby of mine. The book though, definitely altered the way I thought about food a bit. Knowing that it may actually be a cancerous cow when I have that first heavenly bite of my Big Mac from McDonalds, my thought of food just isn’t the same anymore. I will continue to eat McDonalds when I am hungry, because in hungry states, most people are desperate and will eat almost anything. But I will consider it only as a last resort. Fast food production has gotten better over the course of years, because of the sanitary conditions the restaurants are kept in and the healthier and more variety of food options there are on the menu.
The most convincing argument that Schlosser makes in his book is how fast food chains and industries mistreat there workers. Schlosser goes in great detail about the lives and the circumstances of workers who were commonly mistreated. Many of the workers that had on the job injuries were never reported. This book made me think more about how much fast food I actually eat in the course of a week. Fast Food Nation made me more aware of how unhealthy fast food is and how it is the main cause of various health problems in America. However, I will continue to indulge fast food because I only eat fast food sparingly. I make sure that I do not over eat fast food. I also will make sure that I try more healthier choices when I do eat fast food such as eating a kids meal instead of an adult meal. I do believe that this book somewhat changed most people views on fast food because of the behind the scenes of fast food and fast food corporations. Fast food has probably gotten better since the publication of Fast Food Nation in some areas. Since the publication of the book fast food chains have put nutrition facts on their items. When fast food industry did this, this made people more aware of how much fat, calories, and sugars was actually in fast food. There were also improvements made on the quality of fast food, not saying that it was healther, but it was less likely to be dangerous to the human body. However, fast food is still causing obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and many other health problems. The publication of Schlosser book made people more aware of what was in fast food and how it was harmful to people’s health.
ReplyDeleteUnique Jacob
ReplyDeleteTo me, the most shocking thing that I learned about fast food was all the extra things that was being injected into the beef of the hamburgers. This book has definitely changed the way I look at fast food. Since reading this book I no longer eat hamburgers. I try to stay away from chicken as well but it is hard because I enjoy it so much and being a vegeterian is not for me. In the beginning, it was hard for me to stay away from hamburgers but every time I looked at one or thought about one, Schlosser's book and documentary came back to me.
I made the decision to stay away from beef because knowing what it actually is and what they actually do to the animals really upsets my stomach. Even the thought of biting down into a piece of beef was the worst for me. People say that I am crazy for letting a book influence me on what not to eat because if I didn't read the book I would still enjoy it. That is probably true but I'm glad that I did actually learn what I was digesting.
I think food has gotten worse since the publication of Schlosser's book because technology has gotten better. There are so many new ways to alter the taste of food that in this day and age we don't actually know exactly what we are eating.
Minh Luan Nguyen
ReplyDeleteThe most shocking and convincing argument Schlosser makes in his book, personally, is how the food is made, from the process of making the food to cooking the food. When the food in a fast food restaurant is prepared, it is taken from the freezer and heated up in a matter of minutes, and then served to customers. However, that is not the shocking part. The fact that hamburgers are made of cows, and these cows are genetically altered to satisfy our taste buds is quite shocking. They control the cows' DNA to make the best parts grow the most. Even after the cow is slaughtered and turned into beef, scientists mess with the flavor of the meat using chemicals. On top of that, they add preservatives to keep the meat from going bad, making it easy to store over long periods of time. This meat is then sent around the world for people to eat. Imagine all of the chemicals, preservatives, and whatever else they put in there to make it taste the way it does. There is also a video on YouTube that show how these preservatives affect fast food. For example, a hamburger from McDonald's takes weeks to go rotten, while a regular home grilled burger goes bad in a matter of days. Imagine what this fast food is doing in your body... One thing it isn't doing is breaking down; therefore this food is very bad for you. I am still going to continue and eat fast food because it is convenient as a college student. The food is prepared quickly and it fills me up. It is better than living on ramen noodles anyways. In my opinion, fast food has gotten worst because you can't really stop something that is designed to be so successful. Even after reading Fast Food Nation, I still eat fast food. Imagine the people who live in low-class communities that eat fast food everyday and are more likely to not read this book. This book is very informative, but even with the information, it is up to the person to make the decision whether or not to eat fast food.
Charity Crain
ReplyDeleteSchlosser’s argument about the companies attracting the attention of children was one that really opened my eyes. I’ve noticed this before but when Schlosser talked about it, it really opened my eyes and made me notice it a lot more. When I was younger, I was always attracted to the idea of going to McDonald’s and getting a Happy Meal because of the toy that I would receive with it. When reading the Schlosser’s argument on it, it made me think of often I would beg my mother to take me to these places to receive these toys that was offered with my meal. This book has made me change the way I think about the food I eat. Although I still go to these places because the food is cheap and sometimes enjoyable, I am not proud of myself for going to these places. I believe some of the food is good, such as McDonald’s caramel frappe and chicken club sandwich, but as far as how it is made or what it is made of I don’t know how safe it is. Hopefully within time, the food will be healthy enough for everyone to eat without too many dangerous health risks.
The most shocking argument that Schlosser made in his book was how much the food is chemically altered. Of course in the society we live in now its expected that most of our foods will be processed foods. I never expected the foods to undergo as much as they do to make them taste a specific way.
ReplyDeleteThis book has definitely changed the way I think of the food I eat. Before I knew that fast food wasn't the best food for you but now I think its disgusting. After reading about the processes that must be done in order to produce these foods I wonder how can these people willingly feed that to consumers? Even though I no longer care for the idea of fast food I still eat it because its cheap and as a college student that's right up my alley.
In my opinion I think that fast food hasn't really improved since the publication of this book. If anything it just made the people involved in the fast food industry that they should be more careful about letting information like what Schlosser presented get out.
TaiRhe Turner
ReplyDeleteThis book has changed the way I feel about fast food. I believe his most compelling argument is the fact that the whole system of the industry and how they slaughter the animals is so skewed. There isn’t necessarily a one-right-way of preparing the animal meat for sell, but a lot of the ways of the fast food industry are just wrong. I can’t say that I will completely give up fast food, but I will definitely monitor more of how much and what I eat. Sometimes you dont always see what the food is really doing to you from the outside. Just because you’re skinny doesn’t mean that you’re healthy. Fast food might be getting a tad bit healthier than it used to be though, as far as the menu goes. They have more variety today. You can choose to get a salad instead of getting a greasy burger. Or you can choose to get your sandwich in a tortilla, or a wrap. The hamburger buns are more greasy than these. However, as far as today’s fast food burger compared to the fast food burger of earlier times, not much has changed. Sad but true. If anything there are probably even more growth hormones in the meat today than from before.
Ambre Reed
ReplyDeleteThe most shocking argument that Schlosser made in his book was how much advertisement agencies manipulate children to buy their products. Advertisers know that children cannot protect themselves from what they see and hear on television, they also cannot control what they are attracted to. So when advertisers are trying to get the attention of children they use things they know children will be attracted to such toys, bright colors, Happy meals, playgrounds and clowns. These are the things fast food companies like McDonalds uses to get their children at their establishment and of course children cannot go alone so it also brings the possibility of the adult buying something.
This book has changed my prospective of the fast food industry, I have always known that the food they make is unhealthy, but I did not know how bad it really was. If a fast food company like McDonald's cannot tell its customers what "natural flavor" is in it's fries there is really a problem. Even worse restaurants like Jack in the Box had E.Coli break outs resulting in food poisoning and the death of a toddler. Instances like these show how unsafe the fast food industry is. As ridiculous as it seems I will continue to eat fast food because it's cheap, convenient, and it taste good, well most of the time it taste good.
In my opinion I do not believe the fast food industry has gotten any better, it probably has gotten worse. In order for a change to be made the fast food companies would have to be losing large amounts of money or be forced by the government.
Schlosser depicts many aspects of the fast industry that we the consumer are not aware of. Schlosser illustrates the cycle that the food and all its ingredients go through before it reaches our mouths into our digestive tract. The most surprising, yet shocking argument Schlosser proposes in this book is when Schlosser describes how cattle and chickens are slaughtered and beaten to death by workers to produce the meat we eat with many of our meals. I admit I am an animal lover, so it brought great sadness and grief to my heart to comprehend and visualize the pain and suffering an innocent animal has to endure just so society can be pleased.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I still partake in the consumption of fast food quite often. The book opened my mind to a secret world of the fast food industry, but it did not change my eating habits neither the food I choose to eat. I ponder and reflect back on some of Schlosser’s facts in his book when I eat certain foods. My choice selections at fast food restaurants have changed a bit. I try to pick a healthier option on the menus.
Overall, I gained a great portion of knowledge from Schlosser’s book. I enjoyed his courage and enthusiasm to reveal such secrets. I do believe the fast food industry has changed after Schlosser’s book. I don’t believe they have completely attempted to make better methods for preparing food and its ingredients. I do believe the industry has attempted to provide consumers with healthier food choices and they have tried to sanitize better. The fast food industry would do pretty much anything to keep consumers happy, so now that Schlosser has uncovered their flaws they will try to make everything “look” satisfying to consumers. I believe Schlosser may have saved a lot of lives and health issues through his willingness to inform many about the dangers and risk we take to bite into a juicy burger or a hot piece of chicken.
This book has changed my concept on fast food a lot because I think about the meat and how it gets processed. I am going to still eat fast food and watch trendy commercials. Fast food taste so good but its just not healthy for you. My goal is to limit the way I eat fast food. I will try to stay and eat healthy no matter how much I want to eat fast food.
ReplyDeleteFast food places are trying to make healthier foods and are progressing throughout the world. It’s OK to have a craving for french fries every now and then, but to stay healthy you can’t make it a regular habit. Finding a healthy, well-balanced meal in most fast food restaurants can be a challenge, but there are always choices you can make that are healthier than others.