Photo: LukeB20161933
NPR recently interviewed Adam Chandler about his new book, “Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom.” In the book, Chandler examines America’s complicated relationship with fast food. Here are some key points from the NPR interview.
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Interview highlights
Chandler began his writing project with the intent of creating a dialogue around fast food, specifically with those who look down on it. Before writing the book, Chandler set off across the U.S. to learn about fast food and differing opinions on fast food.
What Chandler discovered was that many issues within fast food are actually quite universal across the American food industry. A lot of places have gender discrimination, low wages, and unhealthy options. In other words, just because you eat at a sit-down restaurant doesn’t necessarily mean you’re eating healthier food and supporting a better business.
Many people think poorly of fast food because items there are unhealthy, which does have a bit of truth in it. However, Chandlers says that “80% of Americans eat it every single month and 96% of Americans eat it every single year.” So, that friend who judges you for snacking on fast food fries could very well be eating them as well.
Of course, many fast-food restaurants have been adapting with the times and adding more healthy options. For example, White Castle offers plant-based burgers and Burger King has Impossible Whoppers.
In the book, a study was also included that shows that convenience and speed are the main reasons people choose fast food. This makes sense, given how closely drive-thrus are tied into road trips, where drivers want quick bites that will hold them over for the ride.
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Chandler’s book certainly sounds like an insightful read. It will be interesting to see how the fast-food industry continues to evolve over the years and how that affects the food drivers eat.
News Source: National Public Radio
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