Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser, is the best non-fiction book I've read in years. I'd heard many raves about it and I procrastinated on reading it because I knew it would turn me off of my usual diet of eating at fast=food chains several times a week.
And sure enough, between reading this book for a church book discussion and watching Super Size Me, I vowed not to eat at any fast food chains anymore, with rare exceptions allowed.
So far I've kept that vow for 12 days, which is the longest I've gone without fast food for years—and for that my stomach thanks me.
Of course now I find myself asking questions like, "Is Subway fast food?" I vote no. "If I eat at a locally-owned pizza place that serves food fast, but spends more time preparing the meal, is that OK?" Again, I decided that was fine. And I like the fact my money is now going to local businesses.
Schlosser is an engaging, detail-oriented writer who vividly paints pictures that stay with you for days, be it about the mistreatment of animals and employees, the history of the fast-food industry or, perhaps the most disturbing part, the advertising aimed at children and the way they are using school districts to further promote their causes.
The descriptions of how the food is made and what it contains sickened me. I made the mistake twice of reading the book while eating, and both times I had to stop my meal short.
But I expected to be disturbed about that.
Tip for the future: Don't read about the meat-packing industry and how weak government regulations of them are, while dining at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant or else, when you get to, say, the part about how a fast-food hamburger contains meat not only from one cow but thousands—or how the government can't require meat companies to recall meat even when it is clearly tained.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
I would also recommend fans of Schlosser read Reefer Madness.
2 - Scott Butki
A good friend of mine teaches at a community college and he assigns students to read Fast Food Nation, not because of its position on food but as an example of persusive writing and how good it can be.
Thanks for the reminder on Reefer Madness. I intend to read that one someday.
3 - Mat Brewster
Good stuff, Scott. I just finished Reefer Madness, and while not as good as FFN, it is certainly a good read.
I gave up fast food for a good while after reading this book, but I hate to say that I have since gone back to the trough. In a pinch places like Burger King are just too convenient to give up totally.
Oh, and Subway is so fast food.
4 - Bob A. Booey
I give Subway a pass from the criticism of the fast food industry. I hate fast food for the most part, but I love Subway.
It's relatively healthy too if you order right.
That is all.
5 - Jon Sobel
I too read Fast Food Nation fairly recently. Although I never eat McDonald's-type fast food anyway, the book completely turned me off to beef and even chicken. I too was prepared to learn disgusting facts about the source of the meat, but had no idea of the Dickensian labor practices in the industry, which really puts the nail in the coffin for me - we have the right to eat whatever crap we want to put into our stomachs, since we're only harming ourselves, but when the industry behind it is so evil, the issue takes on a whole new dimension.
6 - sharly farley
Eric Schlosser had a great interview in the features section of the DVD "Supersize Me". When asked why healthy food was so expensive, he answered "because the other stuff is subsidized." That's right, folks. We pay to subsidize the beef and sugar and corn oil industries. Fruits and veggies aren't. The good news: that tomato sauce on the pizza really is healthy - see "Your RealAge Makeover." Fast food is terrifically aging. Should you care.
7 - Phillip Winn
I enjoyed this book a great deal -- but Schlosser jumps back and forth between advocacy of socialism (see the chapter on Disney) and real health concerns, which I think blunts his message somewhat.
8 - Scott Butki
The movie version is coming.
9 - Scott Butki
At my fotolog I just posted my New Year's resolutions and it included trying again to give up most fast food.
10 - Scott Butki
Meanwhile, there is a new problem:
Defining what is and isn't fast food.
11 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Speaking as a former restaurant manager, I can tell you that most restaurants you eat in serve "fast food" packaged not to look like it.
Sample: Pre-cooked spaghetti sits in the cooler with portions of various sauces. Heat (for about a minute in an industrial strength microwave, and serve. Fast food!