What we eat has changed more in the last forty years than in the previous
forty thousand. – Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation
It’s been awhile since I’ve written about just how toxic and non-nutritious fast food is for the body. Remember the post I wrote about Super Size Me
I have something else today that I highly recommend you sit down and watch: Fast Food Nation
The movie Fast Food Nation stars Greg Kinnear who plays an executive working for a fast food burger chain. It also stars Wilmer Valderrama and includes Patricia Arquette, Bruce Willis, and Avril Lavigne, among some other familiar faces.
Greg’s character is sent to Colorado to investigate the meat plant that supplies the burgers to his fast food chain. You see, an independent analysis was done on them which found the meat was teeming with fecal matter. If you’ve already read the book, you’ll remember not just the part about fecal matter, but also the part about each fast food burger containing bits and pieces from 1000’s of cows.
It’s not like buying your meat from the butcher who grinds it into hamburger for you; we’re talking about a massive production line that is stamping out those tasty burgers that are served up at the drive-through every day. Fecal matter aside, when I learned about the 1000’s of bits of cows in one burger it was enough to gross me out.
Fast Food Nation also has another story line (there are a few, actually), which is about the illegal immigrants who work for these massive corporations, people who are treated poorly and have no rights when they get injured on the job. Well, the animals aren’t treated any better; they have to live in crowded pens and stand in their own waste. You’ve just got to watch the movie and then read the book – you’ll get the picture.
I must caution you, this is a hard-hitting movie but even so, that’s just what we need to see to wake us up. Fast food doesn’t come from sunny meadows and it’s not chock full of nutrition – hardly, it’s just the opposite! It’s full of sugar, sodium, and other chemicals, and since you’re eating stuff that does taste good (it’s engineered like that so you get hooked on it), then it’s just so easy to get sucked in by the taste and all of the advertising and pretty packaging. When it comes right down to it though, this stuff is what I believe is a major (HUGE) contributor to the obesity crisis.
If you are interested in learning more about just where your fast food is coming from, I recommend picking up a copy of both the book and the DVD of Fast Food Nation. And, if you’re looking for motivation to get off of fast food, I just bet this will give it to you.
Watch this movie, it’s a must see!
And, be sure to read the book for all of the gory details.
Watch the trailer here:
[youtube zc_z623Wsro]
I’ve read the book and seen the film… great material for anyone who wants to change their eating habits!
Hi Jo that sounds like a interesting watch must see If I can get to watch it. Btw thanks for our chat the other night on Skype it gave me the idea for the processed food post and wow what a response thanks for inspiring me 🙂
@w, it’s awesome isn’t it. I sure hope that more people see it now.
@Mark, hey, that’s nice, I thought it sounded familiar when I read your post on your blog. LOL, I didn’t realize I was doing an interview LOL.
Best – JoLynn
Hi JoLynn,
Thanks for the comment on my blog. This is a great site you have here, and I’m glad I know about it.
I can’t believe I missed Fast Food Nation! Thanks for the reminder, it will be on the docket for viewing this weekend! I just keep asking myself, “how did we get here?” in terms of what passes for food. It’s so distressing and immoral.
Glad I found you!
Linda
Hi Linda, thanks for your comment, too!
I hope you do watch Fast Food Nation this weekend….come back and tell me what you think.
You know, I think that the processed food industry started out innocently enough, at least in a way (just to make food more convenient and last longer), but that innocence didn’t last long at all. And maybe I’m wrong about that and am trying to be too positive, maybe it was always all about the money like it is now. It certainly isn’t about trying to help human beings live the healthiest life possible, that’s for sure.
Hi JoLynn got hold of that movie last night going to watch it soon, sounds good from what you say.
Hi Mark,
That’s really cool, I hope that more and more people will watch this movie.
Come on back and leave another comment here to let me know what you think after you watch it – I’d love to hear if your opinion towards fast food (or take away) changes. 😉
Thanks so much. I intend to watch the movie & read the book for my husband & I. We don’t each much fast food … living out in the country and away from the chains. But when we go town, we always “treat” ourselves to a little something and then kick ourselves afterwards. I think this will really help us to say “No” on our next trip to town!