This is supposed to be a definition of "fast food" but I think I wandered a little bit off...

The smell of French fries and charcoaled meat permeates the air. Does that waken your appetite? If you are on your way from work to run some errands, and you are hungry, don't have time to go to a restaurant or to prepare something yourself, what are you going to do? What is most convenient? Stop at a McDonalds, Taco Bell, or an Asian place?

If you look up the meaning of "fast food" in the dictionary, it will give you the definition of an inexpensive food prepared and served quickly. What is really associated with the term "fast food" though? To me fast food also means fat-containing unhealthy chow.

In the1970s the McDonald's chain had a restaurant in every state in the US and the company was starting to expand globally. Their success had many initiators naturally, and soon several chain restaurants appeared. Burger King (their biggest competition), Taco Bell, Wendy's, etc.

Français : Un MacDonald's, un KFC et un Pizza Hut...

English: Fast food in Yambol, Bulgaria Бълга�...

Foto de una carretera en la cual se destacan anunc...

are just a few.

Every American likes it easy and effortless (others might call it lazy), so demand grew bigger and bigger. All these fast food suppliers were guaranteed not to fail, as long as the food is okay and the service is good.

Over the years the restaurants received a bad reputation though: Fatty food, bad nutrients and health factors. Many chains are expanding their nutritional efforts now with everything from online fat and calorie counters to healthier alternatives to burgers, shakes and fries. They are trying to give their sluggish business a growth spurt by introducing low fat products.

Fast food has also invaded the schools in this country. What food choices will you find in a lunch room at a high school or even grade school? Pizza, Burgers, Tacos - aren't these THE represents of fast food? Are the kids of this nation...