Fast-food restaurants must get with the program to end obesity

A smile came across my face when I saw an article entitled “Fast-food restaurants must get with the program to end obesity.” The author, Alexandra Jones, outlines how fast-food restaurants in Australia were upset about a new study rating them on their “commitment to addressing obesity.” She pointed out that the average rating was 27 out of 100 and none received a pass mark. She underlined that it is good that the companies are “all riled up.” She goes on to say that the businesses' public relations responses to the study were to be expected. However, what caught my eye was what she said about the replies made by readers. The replies suggested that “those who eat fast food deserve what's coming to them.” Alexandra highlights how “at a time when two-thirds of Australians are overweight or obese, this is misguided.” She states that it isn’t an immense lack of willpower that is at the center of the problem. Rather we are “living in a toxic food environment – surrounded by convenient, cheap foods high in energy, salt, sugar, and fat.”

The author proposes that Australians' waistlines would greatly benefit from “thoughtfully prepared dinners and packed lunches according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines.” To paraphrase Alexandra’s thought on the likelihood of this occurring: Fat chance! (I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist the pun!) She highlights that Australians spend “32 per cent of [their] household food budget eating out.” Also, other research indicates that “in any six-month period, more than half of [Australians] eat McDonald's alone and nearly two million Australians now use home delivery services like UberEats.” Alexandra concludes that “we must do more to get these fast-food restaurants to help us eat better.” To do so, fast-food restaurants must “make water the default drink, stop advertising to kids, use pricing to promote healthy options, and set specific targets to reduce salt, sugar, saturated fat, energy and portion size.” Last, although the government of Australia has a Healthy Food Partnership on its agenda, it’s voluntary and without much of an investment.

Although the article examines what is currently taking place in Australia, there is no question that this also applies to North America. The fast food conglomerates do anything to make a fast buck, and most people do nothing about it except fill their faces. So what is the verdict? We definitely can blame the producers and sellers of the slop. Then, we can equally blame ourselves for eating the garbage. And what do both parties of the problem have in common? The food of course! Yet again, we can actually blame it on fast foods!

- B. J. T. Pepin

Fast Food Could Double the Risk of Infertility

An article entitled, “Trying to Conceive? Fast Food Could Double the Risk of Infertility," sure caught my attention! Citing a study conducted in Australia, the author, Tereza Pultarova, outlines how “the foods women eat could be tied to their risk of infertility.” The researchers suggested that the regular consumption of fast food doubled the risk of infertility in women of childbearing age. They added that “not eating enough fruit was tied to a 50 percent increase in infertility risk, and eating fruit several times a day appeared to reduce the amount of time it took to conceive.” In other words, an individual’s diet has an influence on fertility. As the article points out, “processed foods are bad, and fresh fruit and vegetables are good, for fertility."

If this isn’t enough to convince people of the dangers of ingesting fast foods, I don’t know what else will! Not only does fast food wreak havoc on the human body, but it can prevent people from reproducing! Wait a minute... Something just dawned on me. Might this be a way of controlling our population? Is it possible that the fast food conglomerates are in cahoots with the government to control the most intimate process of life? Absolutely! So there are no two ways about it! We can actually blame it on fast foods!

- B. J. T. Pepin

Why dining out and fast food could cause higher cancer risks than home cooking

I came across an interesting article written by Najja Parker, entitled, “Why dining out and fast food could cause higher cancer risks than home cooking.” The author points out how many Americans prefer dining out than preparing their own food at home. Citing research, she outlines how the risk for developing some diseases (including cancer) increases if we eat too much restaurant and fast foods.

The research in question examined the benefits and hazards of eating out. It looked at the “links between what people ate and the levels of phthalate break-down products found in the participants’ urine samples.” Just in case you didn’t know, “phthalates are used to make a range of plastics, nail polishes and moisturizers, [and] have been linked to breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and fertility issues.” The results found that “the levels of chemicals were 35 percent higher in those who regularly ate at restaurants, cafeterias and fast food places.” Also, they “discovered that individuals who ate cheeseburgers and other fast food sandwiches had phthalates levels 30 percent higher than those who did not eat them.” Last, the “study suggests food prepared at home is less likely to contain high levels of phthalates, chemicals linked to fertility problems, pregnancy complications and other health issues.”

In essence, eating junk food can contribute to a plethora of health issues. What a revelation! I am sure that we all believe that restaurants and fast food joints have our health at heart (sarcasm intended)! So why isn't this “revelation” on the front page of newspapers and the lead story of newscasts? The answer is rather simple: The food producing and fast food joint conglomerates control the media! So, rather conveniently, such stories are buried amongst other news. As a consequence, people just don’t see the truth about poisons that they unknowingly ingest. If they are aware and continue to consume the toxins, it is likely that their brains have been fried to the point where they have become puppets. So no matter the scenario, we are certainly right to blame it on fast foods!

- B. J. T. Pepin

Apparently, Helping People Eat Healthy Food Is Illegal

I couldn’t help but “lol” when I came across an article on Dr. Mercola’s website entitled “Helping People Eat Healthy Food Is Illegal.” The author, Dr. Mercola, outlines how Heather Kokesch Del Castillo was issued a cease-and-desist letter and $754 fine by the Florida Department of Health for sharing nutritional advice without a license. In turn, she filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health for violation of the First Amendment.

As a synopsis of Heather’s story, she is the spouse of a serving member of the armed forces, is a holistic health coach, and founded Constitution Nutrition in 2014, providing one-on-one health coaching to her clients. Although in some states no licensing is required, Heather privately completed a certification program for holistic health coaching in New York. When she eventually moved to Florida, she continued to do what she had been doing for several years.

Dr. Mercola points out how the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) encourages the passing of laws, whereby only Registered Dieticians can provide nutritional advice. He adds that this threatens our freedom of choice to consult whom we choose regarding nutrition and diet. Furthermore, he points out how there is a history of AND partnering with and being sponsored by some of the big junk food conglomerates.

Ha! The laughing wasn’t and isn’t because the article is humorous; in fact, it is funny because it comes as no surprise! Fast food conglomerates want to control what the world eats, so what better way to do so by controlling the laws associated with anything having to do with nutrition! In this way, they ensure that everyone will continue to choke on their garbage while they make billions!

The above should not be of surprise to anyone. As demonstrated in this story, we can have good reason to blame it on fast foods!

- B. J. T. Pepin

Fast food makes the immune system hyperactive?

While researching articles on fast foods, I came across an interesting piece that addresses the impact of such “food” on our immune system. In her article entitled “Fast Food Triggers the Immune System making it Hyperactive,” Dr. Mandal cites a study that looks at the effects of the Western Diet. The study points out that when fast food is ingested, the body reacts similar to how it would when dealing with bacterial infections. When eating such food, over time, the defenses become even more aggressive. This reaction remains even after the person switches to a healthier diet. “This stimulation of the immune system and inflammatory reactions has been linked to several diseases such as arteriosclerosis and diabetes.”

How much more evidence do we need to heed the innumerable warnings about fast food? Hordes of people continue to line up at fast food joints! And why? In addition to the adverse physiological effects, it appears that fast food also has a grip on our brain and our mental faculties, causing us to become a little feeble. That must be why we don't heed such warnings!

So where does this leave us? Essentially, we're naively trying to nourish ourselves with food that's actually out to destroy us. I am sorry, but I can only repeat myself for the umpteenth time and say that we must blame it on fast foods!


- B. J. T. Pepin

Justin Trudeau Breaks Multiple Ethical Rules

When I read Amanda Connolly’s article entitled, “Justin Trudeau’s Bahamas vacation broke multiple ethics rules: commissioner,” I couldn’t help but say to myself, “Here we go again!”  The article outlines how “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau broke multiple federal ethics rules when he accepted a ride on the Aga Khan’s private helicopter and stayed on his private island over the holidays in 2016, the ethics commissioner has ruled.”  Furthermore, the piece points out that Justin Trudeau failed to recuse himself in May 2016 during official discussions of a $15-million endowment by the Canadian government to an institution directly related to the Aga Khan and his foundation.  The commissioner concluded that Trudeau “did not arrange his private affairs in a way that avoided a conflict of interest."

Most of us would acknowledge that the world of politics is teeming with people who have a lot to say but rarely follow through on their words.  More specifically, politicians are renowned for making hollow promises and are often caught in outright lies.  The following lyric of a song seems to say it all: “I’m a liar, believe me.”  What's worse is that those same politicians break laws and are able to get away with it.  As we see in this particular case, the sanctions imposed against him amount to a slap (I would say more of a tap) on the wrist!

I don’t know about you, but when Trudeau apologized, said that it was a mistake, and said he would not do it again, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.  Yeah, sure!  Although he got caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar, nothing substantial is going to come out of this and his life goes on.  So, we've learned that as the Prime Minister, it isn't a big deal if you break the rules.  What's next for our rock star Prime Minister?  Whatever it turns out being, you can bet that he'll get away with it!  He can't help but get his fix!  And who feeds our need to get what we want whenever we want it?  That's right: Blame it on fast foods!

- B. J. T. Pepin