Fast Food News Round Up week of 1/25 – Fast food and depression, “Superfans”, and Michael Pollan on Oprah
By Jesse | February 1, 2010
Welcome back to another Fast Food News Round Up.
Fast food consumption may be linked to depression, according to a study published last week in The British Journal of Psychiatry. British and French epidemiologist analyzed the mood and food data of 3,486 men. They found that after five years those following the “processed food pattern”, a diet rich in fried foods, sugary desserts, and processed foods were more likely to be depressed than those eating healthier options. While there are many factors in depression, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables can contribute to increased levels of serotonin in the brain.
Interesting stuff, but not completely surprising. It makes sense to me that eating foods that we were evolved to eat, like fruits and vegetables, would result in bette functioning, including mood. To read more about this story, click here.
Next up is a great piece from the Wall Street Journal Online about Burger King’s declining sales and the targeting of “superfans”, young men between the ages of 18 – 34. While initially this strategy paid dividends for Burger King, with sales growth in 20 consecutive quarters, the last two quarters have posted declines. Speculation is that the “superfans” are changing both their eating and spending habits, resulting in less frequent trips to The King. Visits to fast casual chains like Panera and Chipotle are on the rise, while burger are on the decline. It looks like the Superfans are going for healthier options, or at least perceived healthier options and the trend may not reverse. I found this pretty damn interesting, and being in the “Superfan” demographic, I have noticed a subtle shift in my peers’ eating habits away from burgers and fries towards slightly healthier options. With movies and books like Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me its becoming difficult for us to ignore the health effects of a highly processed, fast food diet.
To read more at WJS online, click here.
Last week the Chicago Tribune posted an article on the multiple methods of making meat safe for consumers. The article explains such scientific cleaning processes as irradiation – yes radiation, ammonia and chlorine cleansing, and the carbon monoxide that gives our meat its pink finish. I know, not the most pleasant article, but if you are going to eat it, you should know where it comes from. Check it out here.
Lastly, Michael Pollan, the author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma which I reviewed last week, made an appearance on Oprah. In it he talks about his food rules with America’s favorite television personality. I did not get a chance to catch the whole episode, but I did find an article and video on The Huffington Post. Definitely check it out. I think Pollan’s rules are easier to follow and make a lot of sense.
Check it out here at The Huffington Post.
That’s it for this weeks news round up. Check back next week for another exciting installment.
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February 1st, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I love these fast food but I know they aren’t good for the body. So every now and then I treat myself out because deprivation would only make me long for it even more and soon get me into getting addicted to it. Thanks for some health facts here.
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:21 am
Mitch, I agree. Life is meant to be lived, and eating a burger and fries every once in a while is part of life. But its important to enjoy healthy food as well, because there’s a lot of good healthy stuff out there.