Food Is The Foundation Of Genuine Happiness.


        Eating junk food is one of the many examples of how Akrasia overcomes people, considering that the most successful food restaurants are those that belong to the fast-food category. People are more likely to know about and be familiar with McDonald’s, Taco-Bell, and Burger King than they are with places like Tropical Smoothie Café or Beyond Juicery + Eatery. (Literally, as I was looking up other healthy restaurants to add to this list I was only familiar with those two.) This is due to accessibility, price, guaranteed quality among all locals, and advertisement.

It is human nature to search for shortcuts. Therefore, when provided with a limited and complicated option vs an easy and accessible option, people choose the latter. The second option is what fast-food restaurants are-fast and easy. It is not their dining experience or “fresh” and “organic” products that draw customers in, but the drive throughs and working hours. It is remarkably easier to find a McDonalds that is open after getting out of work, a sporting event or gathering than it is to find an open Beyond Juicery at night. Additionally, it is more likely that you will find a McDonalds near you than another healthier option. (Distance matters, especially in this economy.) Relatively, in the U.S. there are 14,300 McDonald locations, 7,936 Taco Bell locations, and 6,721 Burger King locations, compared to the 1,300 Tropical Smoothie Café locations and around 50 Beyond Juicery locations that are mostly in the Midwest. The numbers truly speak for themselves. Nevertheless, the reason that fast-food restaurants do not commercialize this and focus more on questionable claims of their family-oriented restaurants and “healthy” food options is because everyone is aware that they should eat healthy. They want to be associated with a specific group of people that are deemed more ‘respectable’ because of their decision making.  Hence, it is human nature to look for these qualities in restaurants and convince themselves these qualities are there even if they are not.

Something else that customers find comfort in is the price and reliability of their food. Fast-food restaurants like Wendy’s and Burger King have another quality that is undeniable: low prices and promotions. Compared to a $10+ wrap at Tropical Smoothie Café, you can get a $3 wrap for Burger King’s limited time offer. Wendy’s constant promotions of free food items with certain rewards points, much like McDonald’s reward system, are no match for an $8+ dollar drink. Lastly, it is easier to know what you will get for your money in fast-food restaurants than it is in fresher places. Since food with fresher ingredients will be different in different seasons and regions, you never truly know what you will get. Fast food tastes the same every time and because it is so unhealthy, it never disappoints.

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