A Reflection on the Article "Don't Blame The Eater"

Poor eating habits include buying or consuming unhealthy food, not having enough food needed each day. These types of food are highly concentrated in fiber, fat, salt, or sugar. Research has shown consuming fast food every day can lead to health problems. Some people blame the fast food for their health problems while other believe individuals should take responsibility of their health .In his article “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinczenko blames the fast food industry for making individuals fat because often for some people the only eating option is cheap, fast food and no healthier options. Poor food choices are bad food for American Health because they cause High Cholesterol, Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Heart Disease.

David Zinczenko argues that Fast Food Companies are the cause of obesity in many individuals around the world. The only option in today society for individual’s are fast food restaurants which can cause obesity. David Zinczenko says there are a group of kids suing McDonald’s for making them fat (Zinczenko 245). According to Zinczenko “I tend to sympathize with these portly fast-food patrons, though. Maybe that’s because I used to be one of them” (245). When Zinczenko went to college he learned how to be healthy and managed his diet. Studies have shown the increase of diabetes in Americans. In fact, “before 1994, diabetes in children was generally caused by a genetic disorder—only about 5 percent of childhood cases were—obesity related, or Type 2, diabetes” (246). The fact that diabetes have effected many people over the years should be serious. As an individual disregarding fast food can be a tough option especially picking healthy options instead of choosing McDonald’s. Zinczenko writes “make fun if you will of these kids launching lawsuits against the fast-food industry, but don’t be surprised if you’re the next plaintiff” (247). Finally, customers should educated themselves when it comes to calorie information on fast food restaurants.

In my opinion I disagree with some of Zinczenko points here. There are many options out there like Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, Aldi, Lidl, Food Lions, and other brands. Rather than buying fast food go to Walmart to buy vegetables and fruits. Quietly, I believe this would be a great idea while going on a budget. Others tend to blame the fast food company for health problem in reality, this is the eater’s fault because they are not taking responsibility for their diet. To Individual’s fast food is the first thing that is seen. The reason why this is important is because they are located on the corner and at stop lights. However, behind these fast there is usually Walgreens, Safeway, and Kmart. In conclusion parents that parents need to be aware of their child’s eating habits, risk of health food fast, and contributing factors to obesity.

In his article, “Don’t Blame the Eater,” Zinczenko argues about fast food being the only cheap and convenient option. I agree with him because people do not have the time to cook dinner for their kids or eat a healthy lunch. There are many families out there who have to work long hours and provide their families; this is the only option for parents that are working throughout the day, so they fall for cheap, tasty, meals at restaurants. The problem is most people do not care about the risk that comes with fast food like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. The fast food industry does not care about what the consumers are eating they only care about what they can profit from them. This is why it is important for individual’s to educate themselves on these fast food restaurants. The key is to eat more weigh less by eating many low calorie foods you can achieve to lose weight make the right eating habits.

Although Zinczenko makes some valid points, there some I disagree with. My mom worked at Wendy’s and they have a list of carbs, fat, protein, calories, and sugar in each food item. Personally the food chain is not to be blamed for individual’s weight gain. It is the individual’s fault. They might not hand out all the information on their food with every order, but if you ask for it they will give it to you. Moreover, they are a bunch of healthy with options out there like target, Walmart, Sam’s club, Costco’s, Publix, and others when you can just buy some apples or a sandwich instead of going to Bojangles. Moreover, this could be a great idea to saving on groceries rather than spending fast food every day. Where he explains driving through the busiest roads in America is all the fast food restaurants, he is wrong. Adding to Zinczenko argument, I would point out that there are many options to healthier options than just fast food. Zinczenko addresses the issue of calorie labeling. He suggest that fast food companies should market the right information about their product to the public. Zinczenko says “They would do well to protect themselves, and their customers, by providing the nutrition information people need to make informed choices about their product (Zinczenko 247). This is a great idea because fast food companies do not give enough information on each food item. By doing this customers know what they are buying and eating.

In conclusion, Zinczenko believes that the lack of warning labels in Fast Food Company and unhealthy foods are contributing factors to obesity and other health risk problems in children. People should be cautious about what they eat this might feel difficult but it helps in the end when it comes to your health. Although Zinczenko may seem of concern to only a small group of people, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about their health concerns.