The Fast Food Health Scam Essay -- Health, Nutrition

For decades the fast-food industry has supplied Americans with tasty, comforting food, quickly and for a low cost. It was not until recently, when the health craze first hit America in the late 1980’s that the corporations developed a new approach to marketing health food products to fit their customer’s wants (Nielsen 450). Even the most common fast food chains, such as McDonalds and Subway started advertising â€Å"healthier† food items on their menus to continue appealing to the general public. In order to maintain significant market share of the industry, fast food companies must entice people of all ages and advertise alternative menu options, even if the nutrition content does not support the messaging. While fast food restaurants give the impression of offering healthy food, nutritionist studies show healthy alternatives are not as nutritious as advertised (Chandon 85). The reality is Fast Food companies hoax their costumers into believing the fast-food ad vertised is healthier but do not provide enough nutritional information for them to make educated decisions. The advertising technique of persuasion leads to false impressions of a product, much like the advertisement claims of selling healthy fast food. In â€Å"The Indictments Against Advertising† by Courtland L. Bovee and William F. Arens, both authors of business and contemporary advertising textbooks, briefly discuss advertising’s effect on the consumer. They also showcase business strategies, in this case the fast-food industry, persuading people to â€Å"want what they don’t need† (Bovee 358). With fast food marketing teams promoting healthy alternatives like apples instead of French fries or milk instead of soda, the companies are able to dupe the consumer into believing the... ... example, ordering a double quarter pounder with cheese and apple slices gives a false since of justification because they chose to forgo French fries (Chandon 302). Adding a marginally healthy substitute to an unhealthy entrà ©e should not be construed as a nutritional meal. Consumers also need to be aware of the adverse effects of adding high-fat high-sodium extras to their meals, such as cheese, mayonnaise, dressings, and special sauces. Instead if a person wants nutritional value within a fast-food meal they must diligently consider health content and portion size to avoid overeating and unwanted weight gain. Individuals need to take personal responsibility of their choices and not believe the false impressions of advertisers. Implementing nutritional knowledge not only while dinning in fast-food restaurants but into everyday life will lead to healthy longevity.