In today’s fast-paced world, fast food has become a staple. It’s quick, convenient, and cheap. However, while fast food may seem like an easy solution to our busy lifestyles, it is also a major contributor to our declining health.
Studies have shown that fast food consumption can lead to various health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
In this blog post, we will explore why fast food makes you sick and tired and what you can do to break the cycle.
Why Is Fast Food Making You Sick?
Fast food can be harmful to your health for several reasons. Firstly, fast food is often high in calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, contributing to weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems.
Additionally, fast food is often heavily processed and contains additives such as preservatives, artificial flavours, and colours, which can negatively affect your health. These additives may also cause some individuals allergic reactions or other health problems.
Furthermore, fast food is often prepared and cooked quickly, leading to cross-contamination and spreading bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses.
Fast food should be consumed in moderation and as a balanced diet. It’s important to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods whenever possible to support your overall health and well-being.
10 Reasons Why Fast Food Is Making You Sick:
1. It’s High in Sugar:
The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar per day. Sugar promotes an insulin response that leads to a crash in energy, leaving you feeling sluggish, lethargic and often hungry again soon after you eat.
2. It’s High in Addictive Flavors:
Flavours like chocolate and cheese produce a natural high and an insulin response that leaves you hungry again soon after eating, while the fat and salt content of fast food similar to that of chips, crackers and cake—produces a crash in energy.
3. It’s Full of Fat:
Fast food is nearly 90 per cent fat, most of which is saturated fat. Saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes. High amounts of fat and sodium can also cause inflammation in your blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure and, eventually, stroke and heart disease.
4. It Has Trans Fats:
Trans fats are found in processed food at levels millions of times higher than those found naturally in meats, dairy products and oils. Some studies have tied trans fats to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, even though a standard study is not designed to detect trans fats.
5. May cause bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhoea:
Fast food tends to be higher in carbohydrates and lower in fibre compared to a healthy diet. This leads to an insulin response that can leave you feeling bloated, gassy and tired. Fast food is often high in sugar, which also promotes bloating.
6. You May Get Food Poisoning:
Food poisoning can lead to nausea, vomiting, fatigue and sometimes serious illness. Symptoms usually last only a day or two and go away independently; however, you may be at risk of infection throughout your life.
7. It Contains Fake Ingredients:
Fast food contains chemicals like artificial colours, growth hormones and toxic preservatives that can harm your health. Artificial colours have been linked to behavioural problems in children and cancer in lab animals. Studies have also shown that growth hormones in meat may contribute to developing breast, prostate or colon cancer.
9. May impair your gut microbiome:
Like most packaged and fast foods, fast food is often heavily processed with added preservatives and chemicals that can harm your gut microbiome. Your microbiome has essential functions that regulate your metabolism, immune system and stress response.
- DIGESTION OF FIBRE: Fast food is high in fat and salt, so it can’t be digested very well because fibre, a non-digestible carbohydrate, helps to break it down. Undigested fat and sodium can lead to a net loss of calories, resulting in muscle loss.
- LEAKY GUT: Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is important for your health. Your gut has a porous lining that allows unhindered passage of nutrients to your bloodstream and bacteria that can help you digest food. Like most junk food, fast food contains preservatives, gluten and sugar which can damage the lining. Your body responds by expelling the bacteria in your gut, toxins, mucus and fat.
10. May increase your risk of heart disease and stroke:
Fast food contains unhealthy fats, salt, preservatives and artificial colours. They can also contain trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease and diabetes.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes:
The American Dietetic Association recommends limiting your fast food or junk food intake. They promote a diet based on whole foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, with about 60 per cent of your calories coming from carbohydrates, 15 per cent from protein and 25 per cent from fat.
Some Effects, Why Does Fast Food Make Me Feel Sick?
Your Body’s Natural Ability to Regulate Glucose, Insulin and Other Hormones
Sugar is addictive because it causes large amounts of insulin to be released. Insulin lowers your blood sugar level, which increases cravings for sugary foods.
If you eat these foods frequently, especially combination foods that contain both fat and sugar, you can overload your system, causing weight gain that leads to insulin resistance.
Your Brain’s Ability to Regulate Appetite and Energy Levels
Sugar competes with the amino acid tyrosine for absorption. This affects your brain chemistry, which impacts mood stability, thyroid function, insulin levels and other hormones. High-sugar intake has been linked to anxiety, panic attacks, depression and fatigue.
The Gut-Brain Connection
The vagus nerve is the primary nerve that controls unconscious body functions such as heart rate, digestion, breathing rate and blood pressure. The vagus nerve is affected by the foods you eat.
For example, when the bacteria in your gut receive refined sugar, they communicate to your brain that it should release more insulin because something dangerous has entered your bloodstream.
The loss of communication between the gut and the brain can lead to increased inflammation and an elevated heart rate long after you’ve consumed fast food.
Blood Flow to the Brain
If you eat too much sugar or high-glycemic foods, your blood flow will decrease, which causes a loss of brain tissue function and damage. According to Dr Gary L.
Wenk, professor of psychology and neuroscience at The Ohio State University in Columbus, “Sugar can disrupt your memory and make you less intelligent.”
The Ability of Your Brain to Make Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate many of our moods. For this reason, serotonin-depleted brain cells can lead to depression, low energy and carb cravings. Low serotonin levels are also associated with weight gain around the middle section of the body.
Your Ability to Make Dopamine
Dopamine is another neurotransmitter that affects your moods and motivation level. Low dopamine levels may lead you to seek out high-sugar foods that give an instant boost of dopamine.
Your Liver’s Ability to Detoxify
When you eat a hamburger, microorganisms that live in meat can enter your bloodstream and travel to your liver. Once there, they cling to the delicate cells that line your liver’s blood vessels.
When these microorganisms die, they release their toxic chemicals into the cells of your liver. This causes inflammation, which leads to scarring and cellular malfunctioning.
Fast Food Your Heart Rate
Your heart rate is directly related to your breathing. If you breathe rapidly, your heart beats faster. The chemicals formed by fast foods’ high-fat and high-sugar content can affect brain neurotransmitters that could trigger rapid breathing.
This also puts stress on your heart by increasing your blood pressure and changing the composition of your red blood cells.
Fast Food Your Blood Pressure
If you eat fast food multiple times a week, your blood pressure could increase over time. A diet high in sugar and saturated fat can lead to higher triglycerides and lower HDL levels, risk factors for heart disease.
Fast Food Affects Your Cholesterol
The high-fructose corn syrup in most fast-food items can raise triglycerides and lower your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or healthy cholesterol levels.
A study published in the journal Nutrition Research found that people who eat a lot of junk food have higher total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels than people who do not eat fast food.
Fast Food Affects Your Immunity
If your immune system is constantly activated, you can become depressed and tired more easily. This happens because the body has to work harder to combat the negative effects that fast or processed foods have on your body.
You may also become more sensitive to allergens. If you are immune-compromised, eating fast food may make you sick because it has high levels of sugar that can feed bacteria, yeast and fungi.
Fast Food Affects Your Bones
A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that girls who eat lots of fast food have a greater chance of becoming obese and developing osteoporosis later in life.
The study used data from the long-term Project Viva, which included more than 2,000 pregnant women who answered questions about their eating habits when they first enrolled in the study between 2009 and 2012.
Fast Food Affects Your Ability to Fight Cancer
According to Dr Joseph Mercola, fast food contains many cancer-causing chemicals such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs). And polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Studies show that HCAs can trigger the uncontrolled cell growth of cancerous tumours. PAHs also stimulate tumour growth and may hinder apoptosis, which is the self-destruct sequence that cancerous cells should follow.
Fast Food Affects Your Ability to Digest Foods
The high level of refined carbohydrates and added sugars found in fast food can cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, gas, heartburn and diarrhoea.
Eating a diet high in fat can also damage your healthy gut bacteria and lead to a leaky gut, which is a condition that can cause toxins to leave your digestive system and enter your bloodstream, causing damage throughout your body.
Fast Food Makes You Fat
Eating fast food frequently can add inches to your waistline. The average burger has over 500 calories and 40 grams of fat! Fast food is usually high in calories, fat, sugar and salt. Consuming large amounts of these nutrients can lead to weight gain when you eat more than you burn off through physical activity.
Fast Food Causes Diabetes
The high levels of sugar and refined carbohydrates found in most fast food items can lead to type 2 diabetes, which occurs.
When your body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain an average blood glucose level. When you have diabetes, you have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and other diseases.
Fast Food Affects Your Ability to Grow
Studies have shown that children who eat fast food frequently are more likely to be obese than children who don’t eat many of these items.
This can prevent them from growing taller since obesity affects the amount of growth hormone your body produces. It also makes you feel tired and miserable, which can prevent you from exercising and playing sports.
The Bottom Line
If you’re feeling sick after eating at a fast food restaurant, it may not just be the greasy fries that are making you feel queasy.
Some people experience nausea and light-headedness when they eat foods high in fat. For others, these issues can stem from anxiety or stress-related problems like insomnia, heartburn, ulcers, gallbladder disease or even anaemia.
While this is more of an individual problem than something, most would associate with visiting your local McDonald’s for lunch on the way back to work.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms following fast food consumption then speak with your doctor about what might be causing them before continuing down this unhealthy path. It might help!
FAQ:
How do I stop feeling sick from fast food?
If you’re feeling sick after eating fast food, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help flush out any excess sodium and toxins from your system.
Avoid other trigger foods: If you know that certain foods or drinks make you feel worse, such as caffeine or spicy foods, avoid them until you’re feeling better.
Rest: Give your body time to rest and recover by taking a nap or getting restful sleep.
Eat lighter, healthier meals: Choose lighter, more nutritious meals that are easier for your body to digest, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Avoid fast food: If you consistently feel sick after eating fast food, it may be best to avoid it altogether or limit your consumption to occasional treats.
Consider consulting a healthcare provider: If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions or food sensitivities.
Remember, fast food is often high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and processed ingredients, and it’s generally not a healthy or balanced source of nutrition. Choosing healthier options can help you avoid feeling sick after eating and can also help improve your overall health and well-being.
Why does McDonald’s make me feel sick?
There are several reasons why McDonald’s (and other fast food) may make you feel sick:
High in fat and calories: McDonald’s food is often high in unhealthy fats, such as trans fats and saturated fats, as well as calories. Consuming too much of these can be difficult for your body to digest, leaving you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
High in sodium: McDonald’s food is also often high in sodium, which can cause your body to retain water and lead to bloating and discomfort.
Processed ingredients: Many McDonald’s menu items contain processed ingredients, preservatives, and additives that can be hard for your body to process and may cause digestive discomfort.
Lack of fiber: Many McDonald’s menu items are low in fiber, slowing digestion and making you feel sluggish and uncomfortable.
Food sensitivities: Some people may have a sensitivity or intolerance to certain ingredients commonly found in McDonald’s food, such as gluten, dairy, or soy.
It’s also important to note that everyone’s body is different, and what may make one person feel sick may not have the same effect on someone else. Suppose you consistently feel sick after eating McDonald’s. In that case, it may be a sign that your body cannot tolerate the ingredients or nutritional composition of these types of meals, and it may be best to limit your intake or avoid them altogether.
