In 2010, the American fast food industry boasted a $154.7 billion revenue. That was just the fast food industry. Other companies who produce junk food were not included in this tally. The fact that Americans are willing to spend this much on junk food says something about our society. Moreover, it sheds light on how much control corporation actually have on us.

The average American knows the associated health risks that come with indulging in fast food on a regular basis. Even with that knowledge the the average American goes out to eat at least twice a week. This is the unfortunate product of what corporations have done to us. Corporations who manufacture these food know the secret that always has us coming back for more. Salt, sugar, and fat. The combination of these three ingredients have been scientifically proven to be as addictive as heroin.

Before foods were filled with toxic amounts of preservatives and had shelf lives long enough to survive Armageddon, they were made at home and contained significantly less amounts of the addicting trio. As corporations who controlled food popped up, America’s obesity epidemic started to grow at an alarming rate.

Most people have seen the documentary Super Size Me. Though the documentary solely focuses on McDonalds, it shows how eating fast food can become some what of a sickness for some. The filmmaker experienced depression and anxiety when he didn’t get his fix of fast food.

The corporation is the drug dealer that is constantly nagging you when you are trying to get clean. America, isn’t it time we get clean. Get off this drug called consumerism and look at all the healthy alternatives that nature has to offer? Instead of hashing down those french fries why not have an apple for a change.

The corporations are not going to stop as long as there is someone willing to buy their products, so we must take it upon ourselves to say no to them. Michelle Obama can try as hard as she wants to combat the obesity epidemic among the youth in U.S., but all in all nothing is going to change unless we want it to change.  And as things have been going the past few decades, it seems that we would rather indulge in the sweet, fried, salty, goodness than face the facts that we are killing ourselves.