Life in a fast food world
Time to be kind to yourself and the planet
IT’S sad to say, but we live in a fast food world of: “give it to me cheap, give it to me now and yes, I want a Coke with that”. But as quality declines to cater to these needs, what impact is it having on us as individuals, and the planet?
Dr Andy Le Brocque, senior lecturer at USQ on ecology and sustainability, says our fast food obsession is not only killing us, it’s hurting our planet too.
“If everyone on the planet lived the way Aussies do, we would need three planets to support our way of living,” Dr Le Brocque says.
This is because in the manufacturing of a simple fast food chain burger, whole forests have to be cleared to pasture cattle there.
Soil is eroded by this same cattle that make our burgers, while they eat grass and fart huge amounts of toxic methane into our atmosphere. Then after slaughter, the half-cooked burger patties are transported large distances by refrigerated carriers via air or road, using increased amounts of fuel that creates more pollution.
Not to mention the amount of water that is wasted growing the grass, feeding the cows and washing equipment. And the poor farmer who hardly gets paid anything, as the population wants everything cheaper. And for what? To basically give us a nutritionally void food substance that we know is increasing our obesity rates, doesn’t make you feel full and is even linked to behavioural disturbances such as hyperactivity, anger and depression in the consumer? It’s a scratch your head moment.
With obesity on the rise and the holiday season and travel contributing, could we help ourselves and the Earth by simply giving up the burger and fast food? The answer is “Yes”, we could.
So when you’re on the road this beautiful Christmas, travelling from family to family to enjoy
celebrations, pack your own snacks and easy-to-eat foods and buy local, natural, whole foods that are better for you and our planet.
To make an appointment or ask health-related questions, email honnutrition@hotmail.com.