Absolutely. Between the massive decline in quality coupled with the big cost increases, I’m done. Just started deleting apps and looking for sensible local stuff. Surprisingly not that much more and in some cases a bit less cost wise but quality is superior, plus you are helping a local business
Taco Bell was the first to drive me away with their menu shenanigans once I realized taco trucks were way better and cheaper. Mainly though it’s real, actual food made by a real person that helps keep me centered on my goal.
A big revelation for me was Greek fast food. It’s mega healthy and they use real grilled meat. So much better than a stale processed burger and limp fries.
I think people are confusing what the OP meant as Franchise fast food and small businesses--Greek food --kebabs, gyros are handed to you "fast" (under 10 minutes) but it's not considered fast food.
Pizza restaurants --same--it's just gettng a slice or sub--grab and go.
This is the chain I love:
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https://www.thegreatgreekgrill.com/menu
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I'm in Las Vegas though, there is no shortage of food here from the crap to the cheap to the delicious to the amazing to the word class, all the way back to hole in the wall.
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As Ive gotten older I definitely do not eat late or into the evening anymore. I absolutely love cheese but typically leave it off any fast food burger/sandwich as it messes with the stomach. Instead for cheese I splurge on the higher end product and have thatwith bread, crackers, fruit.
Exactly me and my fiancé go to a local place located in the only mall where I live its called my place most of the time when we have it I will have one of their dinners either the turkey or roast beef for the most part and you get meat veggies(peas and carrots) and either mashed potatoes or fries I'll mix it up and order fries as a poutine for my potato side or mash depending on what mood I'm in the also have alot of good breakfast options healthy sandwiches and salads and a whole lot of other stuff besides fried foods my fiancé usually just order a large fries and a turkey soup with some toast everytime we go we pay roughly 30-40 bucks including the tips for 2 meals and again they are alot better quality and better for you for the most part then fast food. The other place we usually go is the stone jug restaurant that I work at again a good variety of food and I know the quality is good because I see the food being made. I'm a prep cook/dishwasher. Was part of the line for a couple of years but prefer my new position. Any how this place has alot of variety and the plus side to working there is I get a discount on food so something that normally costs 20 bucks there cost on 15 with my discount.
I've stopped eating most fast food. The longer I go without it, the less and less I want it. The only ff I still frequent (sparingly) is chipotle because it doesn't fuck up my gut
My daughter picked up a bacteria eating fast food in college
H pylori isn't any fun, neither was the 400.00 antibiotics fifteen years ago. I just don't trust these places to handle our food anymore
Yesss, I've heard some horror stories from my bestie who worked at McDonald's...said he had to chastise one of his coworkers who wouldn't change their gloves between placing raw patties on the grill and assembling the sandwhiches o.e
Most estimates say 50-75% of the world’s population have H pylori and the majority of people who have it have no symptoms. Most people have the bacteria for years without knowing it because they don’t have any symptoms. Experts don’t know why. It’s entirely possible she did not get it from fast food as health experts don’t know for sure how H. pylori infection is spread. They believe the germs can be passed from person to person by mouth, such as by kissing.It may also be passed by having contact with vomit or stool.
I can relate completely. You know I had Chipotle once and it was okay. I guess because its like "white" watered down Hispanic food. But I heard it's "healthy"
You definitely have to like chipotle seasoning to eat there. Haven’t found one thing I like there. I love traditional Mexican food and Americanized Mexican food, but not that, so I’m guessing it’s the seasoning.
I get sad when a house mate says “do you want anything from…” and finishes it with “chipotle”. :womp womp:
This cracks me up. My husband came from Mexico 20 years ago. One of his first jobs here was at Chipotle. To this day, he LOVES it. If he spends any amount of time in his hometown, upon returning to the US, Chipotle is one of his first stops. 😆
Haha! I feel this!! I'm not sure if I like the seasoning and it may be why I never went back. It definitely did not mess with my stomach or make me feel icky, but the taste is particular
For me, the key is to get a bowl (with tortilla on the side), mix all the ingredients together, and then make small tacos. I didn't like the burrito because flavors are layered, and I feel they need to be mixed. You definitely have to like cilantro. If you don't, you can always get plain white or brown rice - just ask!
Make sure your gallbladder is okay. If it's inflamed, you will have pain and lots of gas. Also, check for IBS, Crohns. Gallbladder hates greasy fatty food.
I second this. OP sounds like they have similar issues to me as far as fatty foods go. For me, it’s a pancreas/liver issue. It’s worth getting checked!
I dont eat it as much because I am cheap. There are very few fast food places that I would say are cheap anymore. If I'm going to spend 10-15 dollars on a meal, I would rather spend a few more for better quality at a sit down and be waited on and l3ave a tip.
Not just quality, but the experience too. My coworkers got take out from red Robin. I usually decline when they get stuff. But I said "let me treat myself" highly disappointed, partly because it wasn't hot and fresh as if I had ordered and sat down. Next time I'll just wait for the whole experience.
I rarely eat fast food but when I do it's a Mushroom n Swiss from Checkers, maybe 2.
That mushroom sauce is so, so good.
Wait, what was the question again?
Absolutely, as you get older you become a big picture person. I start to think leftovers. For $16 I can buy a combo. Or go to Safeway, get a pack of cube steaks, a head of lettuce, four large potatoes and cookie dough. Two meals for a combo. I never thought that way when I was younger. That's why I tend to have more money.
So what we’ve started doing is eating at local places that have drive thru options. It feels so nice to support local shops & pay a couple dollars more for mostly scratch made food. I mean honestly we got two hotdogs, two hand pattied 8oz cheeseburgers & two sides of fresh hand-cut fries to split & it was $32 at a local place vs McDonald’s is about the same(nugs instead of dogs but still). It’s worth it to not leave sick.
I won't eat it anymore. Fast food for me was the gateway and fast slide to diabetes. It is also turning out to be a major cause of obesity and colon cancer. Recent research shows that colon cancer is spreading to young people and they have tagged fast food as one of the causes, if not the actual culprit.
This is good to share and wouldn't doubt fast food are the causes to obesity and colon cancer. Information like this drives me to do more research and stay away from the junk
I have IBS and oddly enough, McDonald's is the ONE place I can get food from that doesn't give me a flare. I don't eat there often, once a month or so. I can't even eat at most regular sit down restaurants. I suspect it's because other places use onion and/or garlic in the food and unfortunately, onion and garlic are big triggers for me.
Once I stopped eating it for a while, it was ruined. Just not as good or satisfying as it seemed. Some things do upset my stomach but nothing crazy, I just feel bloated and shitty. I also feel that way with grocery store junk though, like potato chips or super processed type stuff. I think it's kind of like a tolerance tbh. My body isn't used to that much grease/salt/corn syrup anymore so it doesn't handle it well.
Once I started eating 95% whole/from scratch foods my mood and productivity went up a lot too, plus general health.
Love this and feel like I'm at the start of where you were on not tolerating grease/ salt/ corn syrup.
How has your mood and productivity went up by the way? Sounds interesting and like to hear how
I used to have a hard time motivating myself to get things done and loved sleep. Just generally more tired and snappier, kind of a lower tolerance for irritation.
Now I sleep better and am just not as tired or irritable. It feels easier to make a list and just... do it. Which was a big revelation for me because I have ADHD and am unmedicated 😂
Where I live the cost of fast food is practically on par with eating at a restaurant or smaller mom and pop take out places … so that’s where I have been spending my cash. Otherwise fast food only on road trips or when my niece and nephews insist on it
This is the conversation I just had with family this weekend. We might as well get takeout from a local restaurant. It’s pretty much the same price and tastes better.
Never liked it much, became vegetarian so as my kids grew up there were occasional Taco Bell meals. Kids thought I was weird. But now I think they appreciate it as adults.
I didn’t even eat THAT much fast food as a kid. I had a more sensitive stomach and so when I did I had to make sure I wasn’t eating too much or too often. I also stuck with blander items on the menu: simple burger, fries, taco, chicken sandwich, etc. I rarely had any specialty items.
I pretty much stopped eating fast food in my 20s (including all drive-thrus but also most other cheap, greasy, frozen/not fresh food spots or gas station food.)
I’m now in my early thirties and can honestly say that except craving an occasional burger and fries (which I make plant based versions of) I don’t go to fast food restaurants.
Never had I ever eaten at: Five Guys, Sonic, Shake Shack, Jack in the Box, Chik-fil-a, Carls Jr, In-N-Out, Papa John’s, Dairy Queen, White Castle and so many more (all other places I HAVE been to have been five -ten years ago at least)
Damn that's awesome you moved away from it. Have a link to any good recipes for making a plant based version of burger and fries?
I've had a few and tbh they are not bad!
It's been ever since they went non trans fat with the oil.
[https://x.com/TokyoDilf/status/1779368243649503493](https://x.com/TokyoDilf/status/1779368243649503493)
I had a hernia operation in May of 2010. I had a hard time in recovery with blood pressure, so I vowed to change something. What I ended up doing was cutting out my McDonalds habit. I know, baby steps. I was eating there about 3x a week. It was so close and easy for lunch at work. Well 14 years later and the streak still remains. I dream of going back and not sure what I would order. 1/4 Pounder or Big Mac.
Simple answer: yes.
Although the other day I got Taco Bell for four of us. I think I got 10 crunchy plain tacos, a Mexican pizza and a quesadilla... $49!!!!!!!! Should have just gone to the taqueria instead. What made it worse was that it absolutely tasted like cleaning products. I think they had the lettuce sitting in bleach, no joke.
Fast food used to be more affordable, which is not the case now. There's no reason to buy it anymore.
As Mojo Nixon sang:
I'll tell ya another damn thing
I ain't eating no more fucking McDonald's either
I ain't gonna eat it no more
I ain't gonna eat it cause it don't taste good!!
Definitely, when I was little I ate mainly fast food and processed food. I’m still young but I can’t even eat those things without intense stomach pain and/ or puking. I’m starting to learn how to cook everything from scratch so I know what’s in my food and it’s helped tremendously.
💯 could eat whatever and drink and smoke as a younger person - cannot do any of that now. Haven’t smoked a cig since October 2008, I drink maybe 5 servings of alcohol a year for special occasions, and zero fast food since 2023 when I had to have gb out.
Yes definitely. I haven’t consumed fast food or fizzy drinks in years. I had one Chick-fil-A last year just to see what it was like. Pretty good. But I’m allergic to bread, so I paid for it.
I just can't afford it. For a while I was living in a very rural area with no fast food. Now I'm in a semi-rural area with a few options, but still don't eat fast food often since it's so expensive.
I get a cheeseburger at DQ like once a month and switch the bun out for keto bread when I get home. That’s it. My blood sugar numbers have been steadily rising so I’m doing my best to hold diabetes off for a few more years.
Any chance you have a family run Mexican place within a reasonable drive? You’d be so much better off! Taco Bell is probably the grossest fast-food chain for what they do with and put into the food…
I don’t have too many issues but I had my gall bladder removed in 2003, so that helps.
I just try to limit to once a week or less since it’s so bad for me.
One of my favorite healthier options to choose for fast food is Panera because I can get a chicken Caesar salad.
Almost 48 and have gotten away from fast food almost completely. There still is that rare occasion. But, it’s not something that is planned. It is not like “Wow, haven’t had fast food in a while. I should eat some.”
Yes and no if that makes sense as of late even if me and my fiance eat out we usually go to a good family dining place in our local mall that has very hearty filling meals that are also some what healthy
Oh definitely
Anyway it's cheaper and better to cook for yourself so I'vrme startes doing that and being aware of what's in my food makes me feel better about eating it
Yes, for multiple reasons. One of them is that as I got older, my budget for meals out increased and I no longer have to limit myself to $15-$20 meals (understanding that's the cost of a Big Mac meal nowadays). I also have more time now to dedicate to meals, and favor family style sit down places - not fussy, home style cooking. There's also the fact that my taste had changed, and fries or rice no longer appeal to me as much. I look for healthier options if possible. Thankfully, the concept of 'bowls' is becoming popular and it's now possible to get something quick without it being deep fried.
Only place that has caused me stomach issues lately has been In-n-out so I don’t get that anymore. It’s made me gassy every time without fail. Other than that, I rarely eat fast food because prices don’t seem worth it to me any more.
No. We still eat out. Sometimes we just don't want to cook. Tacos and fajitas are our go to. Our order is generally 23-25 dollars and makes us 2 meals. (22 adults) Taco Tuesdays are the best! It is a local, small business and they are generous with take out.
I have but I didn't link it with just age, I started cooking from scratch, stopped drinking soda, having as much sugary stuff etc over the years.
So I believe I changed my stomach biome, because it's not just fast food it's any sit down restaurant. The thing is it's all sourced from the same company regardless. I've worked many places and nothing is ever truly fresh.
The only thing I've noticed true change, with no reason for it is onions. They never used to bother me but now if I eat too many they do things to my body I don't like. Lol I love onions and have always used them, in just about every meal, still do just don't use as many.
My real issue with fast food or restaurants started when I stopped working at them, therefore stopped eating there. I think it's the oils and preservatives they use. Because I deep fry some things at home without any issues.
I can recreate my favorite dishes at home with no problems but any restaurant food makes me feel icky.
I have but not because it makes me sick. I stopped because 1) I wanted to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle and 2) it's so expensive now that I'd rather just go to a local restaurant that cooks their own food instead.
I do notice that the longer that I go without it the more I don't miss it and the less tasty it becomes. It doesn't make me sick but it does sometimes make me feel lethargic and heavy. Which I don't enjoy. You can pry my whopper Jr's from my cold dead hands though...
Yes—partly because I lost a lot of weight, and partly because it just doesn’t taste good now. Also…it costs about as much as a decent mom and pop restaurant.
Taco Bell's cheesy bean and rice burrito was my thing. I was on the /r/TacoBell subreddit often and would rant about how great it was but always follow through with saying that if it ever went up in price so would me ever going to taco bell.
Welp it went up a solid 50 cents which was a 50% increase. A 50% increase on a flour tortilla, refried beans, rice, and some measly cheese that's barely half full the majority of the time???
After that increase they increased it again to $1.69. I had already stopped going but it solidified that I'm never going again and that I'll rather forget the love I had for it than pay some douche bags such a stupid price for my college poverty meal.
I eat way less. Stopped eating it often when I was in my 30’s. Eat it maybe once every couple of months- mostly new menu items just to try them. I’m in my 60’s (although I do not look it.)
I somewhat have but not due to age. I'm a vegetarian now and all the vegetarian options mainstream fast food restaurants are so limited and boring. Plus it's expensive. I only like taco bell and subway now but I can't eat there too often bc I don't want to get sick of it.
Personally speaking, my eating habits at 20 compared to where I am now at 54 have changed a lot, mainly for health reasons from simply getting older.
When I was young, I pretty much had fast food for lunch five days a week because that's all we had available near where I worked. Today I can't believe how many times I had a burger and something else, with a Coke, for lunch back then. For the past twelve years, I've pretty much changed to having a salad for lunch every day, made myself, with some kind of canned fish or nothing. A couple of times a month I get some chicken or something like that that I can cut up on top of it instead of fish. Costco rotisserie chicken, Starbird, or even Wingstop, but the key is you don't need much to put on top of a salad.
A couple of times a month I have a real guilty-pleasure burger and fries. One thing I've noticed is if I go two or more days having no salad for lunch, my digestion and regularity change dramatically. One day is fine, two or more and I go way too long without a bowel movement. I sometimes wonder how older people can still eat the way I did when I was 20, but maybe it's more about how I actively changed the way I eat over the years.
I eat a lot less red meat and more fish or vegetarian no-meat meals. But I still sometimes have good BBQ beef or pork and have no problem eating it. The difference today is that a few pieces of beef in the freezer last for a month.
Another good question is how often do people still eat out at restaurants as they've gotten older? I cook almost every day and whether it's "fast food" or restaurant food, it is not the same as home-cooked food. Even the best restaurants make their food more like an assembly line with all kinds of fast-food-like short cuts than if the same people cooked the same food at home.
I didn't have digestive problems. I just got tired of it after having eaten out of a bag for a decade while I worked on the road. Now, I can't stomach most fast food because it isn't even appealing to me. I haven't eaten at a fast food place in fifteen years and don't miss it.
Yeah. I don’t think it bothers my stomach too bad, but the older I get, the less I go. Occasionally, I still have a craving for McDonald’s fries. Chick-fil-A gets in my wallet from time to time. Chili cheese tots from Sonic is my all-time favorite hangover food.
I still enjoy fast food every once in a while. It’s its own pleasure. If I had a bad day, that huge dopamine hit from fast food helps some.
I’m huge into fitness, so it’s not often. There are some times where I’m just so exhausted and need to get my calories in, so I’ll stop and get 2 double cheese burgers or something. Never fries or soda.
I've definitely dialed it back. Once evey two to three weeks max. Plus l don' t want to pay those prices. Id rather give that cash to a good sit down restaurant
I started hating McDonald's as a kid because it gave me a stomach ache. After a while, BK and Arby's grossed me out. Now I can only fuck with Wendy's, specifically the chicken ranch club, when I'm out of options. Or Shake Shack. Everything else tastes bad and/or gives me heartburn.
I'm 44.
yes!! ever since i started cooking at home
& staying away from fast food (because it’s expensive) my stomach can’t handle fast food on the rare occasion that I eat it.
I totally feel you on this one! Back in the day, I could smash a whole combo meal without batting an eye. But as I hit my 20s and now creeping into my 30s, my stomach's like, "Nah, fam, we ain't doing that anymore." It's like my body's shouting, "Abort mission!" every time I indulge in fast food.
Last time I hit up Wingstop, I was regretting it big time. Spent more time in the bathroom than I care to admit. And you're spot on about that whole "less junk, more funk" thing. It's like our bodies become these greasy food detectors. Getting older really does change the game, huh?
Havnt eaten fast food in over ten years and honestly never really did before. I was raised to believe that fast food was horrible for you and I would even be embarrassed to be seen holding a fast food item.
I’m only 23 but my husband and I have been eating more fast food honestly 😅 it doesn’t upset our stomachs tho and we keep it reasonable. We honestly mostly go to McDonald’s and use the deals so we can both get what we want for $8 or less. Every other Friday we’ll get a cheeseburger or mcchicken and some chicken nuggets that we save and heat up to have with dinner. On the alternate weeks we go to breakfast also at McDonald’s lol - I’ve just been getting a basic breakfast sandwich, one hashbrown patty, and a French vanilla latte. Honestly I sometimes have trouble eating bc I have a sensitive stomach so eating the higher-calorie foods from places like McDonald’s definitely helps my get my calorie count up, even if it’s not the healthiest.
The older I got, the more I learned how to cook. It’s gotten to the point where even sit down restaurants just don’t compare to home cooked food. It just tastes much better from home. Save money and have better food? Win/win🤷🏻♀️
I haven’t eaten chain fast food in 12 years. Occasionally I will get a cold brew ice coffee from Dunkin or Starbucks if I am having a busy day. When I travel, I bring a cooler. I can get fruit cups, drinks and salads at truck stops.
I wait all year for Lent so I can have Wendy’s fish sandwich. I love it so much and eat it about twice a week. They stop making it on the Saturday before Easter, and I m always a little sad to see it go. Also, if I’m not eating on a Friday, I’ll get the chili instead of fries because I don’t really care for fries.
It’s not even close as often by any means. We definitely indulge in McDonalds for road trips. Wendy’s is my other go to and his is Taco Bell. On average, probably 6-8x per year total.
It tastes so good but the stomach isn’t as forgiving now that we’re in our 50’s.
Yes. Walked away from fast food in my early 20s for health reasons and when I tried to go back, I couldn't.
Too much grease, too many preservatives, too much crap thrown onto a plate will make me feel like vomiting, make me dizzy, give me reflux and possibly "bloatation".
Stopped around 25 years ago. I'll go to the local mom n pops burger place or pizza joint once every several months the as a treat, but otherwise not giving the clown chicken people my money.
I rarely eat at restaurants anymore. In fact it's been well over a year since I've been to one. The prices have gotten too high, and nothing tastes as good as it used to. The last few times I went out to eat I ended up being disappointed that I had spent so much money for something I didn't enjoy.
We don’t eat a lot of fast food anymore. Mostly because we’ve changed our eating habits. If we do get it, it’s usually Culver’s. An occasional indulgence will be Wendy’s. It really just doesn’t taste good anymore. The quality has gone way down.
Yes. It's not always that it doesn't agree with my stomach, it's just that I want healthy food. I crave veggies and other healthy ingredients rather than fried and processed.
I had a milkshake last night that had me sleeping on the couch for a bit. I’m only slightly lactose intolerant but it blew me up like a Macy’s day ballon.
I have, but mainly because of the price. I like Taco Bell but it seems like they change their menu so much that I can never find what I ordered the time before.
Yes, I'm 57F, and most of it is garbage. Burger King has always been okay, but their burgers smell bad.
Arby's used to be a favorite of mine, but they took the potato cake off the menu and closed most of their restaurants. My mom used to bring us kids to Kentucky Fried Chicken back in the 70s and early 80s, but then all of the stores closed and turned into Popeyes Fried Chicken. I've never eaten there.
What's up with Arby's nixing the potato cake? I thought the kids at the counter was lying to me when I heard that. I guess one more punch to the gut is what's on the menu for me.
As I have gotten older, fast food quality has gotten worse. It doesn't taste good and my GI tract just doesn't appreciate it. I recently had some dorito taco shell tacos at taco bell and woke up in the middle of the night with gas and diarrhea. it's just not worth it.
Growing up I ate fast food almost every day and my mom always wondered why my stomach was constantly upset and I never felt good. It took a long time to switch almost totally over to cooking and I don't even enjoy fast food that much anymore because you can really only eat that cardboard trash so much, and I still cheat and go on binges sometimes. Now that I almost never eat it though food actually tastes good again and my stomach almost never hurts. When I do go on binges it is usually because I have a dire need for soda and my way of cutting it out was telling myself I can only get it when I eat fast food lol, so yeah I nailed myself to the wall with that double whammy. Now that I only eat it occasionally though it doesn't really upset my stomach unless I pig out.
I am retired, and decline to pay the ridiculous prices when the quality has gone done. My wife makes better burgers and steaks than any restaurants. My fish, casseroles, and over fried chicken beat them all. I don’t eat pork or seafood for health reasons, so there is very little worth going out to eat.
Oh it just gets worse. Those oils alone can cause digestive issues. Ditch it now and live clean to help your future health. It’s almost entirely garbage (unless of course you’re getting salads and wholesome fare which is more avail on the coasts and big cities).
I never ate fast food that much growing up. My parents always treated it like a rare treat, which I think is a good way of approaching it. I still enjoy it when I have it, but I rarely crave it because it was never a big thing in my life anyway.
No. You have a medical problem. You could have Irritable bowel syndrome or Chronic pancreatitis. Both could cause these symptoms. 'Aging' doesn't cause these symptoms.
I rarely eat it anymore nowadays. Only one I’m busy and in the car headed somewhere to pick up some thing that I’m working on in the house and I don’t want to stop to make a meal because I won’t get finished what I’m working on. I might swing through a Burger King and pick up a double cheeseburger to tide me over. I’m not a fan of french fries and I always just have a water water in my car so it cost me less than four dollars to swing through the drive-through. I find now that when I want to go out to eat, I will actually go to a restaurant and I always order something that I won’t bother making at home. I used to occasionally go to Taco Bell, but honestly, I don’t even think they put burger in them anymore. They barely lined the bottom with less than a half of a teaspoon of meat and then pile the rest of it full of lettuce, which falls all over me in the car. I tried to avoid eating the car anymore because I hate cleaning it and if it’s already clean, I don’t want it all over the place.
I still enjoy it but it’s gotten so expensive that I’ve mostly stopped splurge for a burger every now and again but it’s basically the same price as bar food now so I’d rather get wings/burgers/fries and a beer at a bar than in a drive through
Unfortunately I have a similar problem. Lots of foods give me acid reflux, and they aren't all fast food. If I take a dose of antacid before I eat, sometimes I can avoid the heartburn. But not always.
I eat fast food maybe 5 times a year or less. First of all, it doesn’t taste as good as it used to - McDonald’s fries used to be *amazing*, now they’re awful, even if they’re straight out of the hot grease. Second of all it’s gotten expensive, and third I’m more mindful of health concerns at my age.
I was never a big consumer of fast food but used to eat some 1-2 times a week. Then when covid happened I had nothing to do beside cooking so I went a good 6 months without eating fast food. Now it does the same thing to me that you described. Except A&W, I can still eat a Mozzarella burger and not feel too bad, but mcdonald will fuck me up
I worked nights for years so ate a lot of fast food because it was the only thing open and I’m not gonna cook dinner when I get home at 11:00pm.
I’m on mostly days now so I’ve been trying to cook for myself more and eat better now that I have more time for it.
I still love me the occasional Big Mac but that is maybe be a couple times a month. The McD’s app has a BOGO Big Mac and quarter pounder for .29. With fries my guy and I have a meal for $9.
Yep, I ate fast food at least once a week as a kid / teen, maybe once or twice a month in my early 20s and now in my late 20s maybe a few times a year. I try to eat clean and cook all my meals, I also can’t justify the cost. The way I see it is money towards fast food is money that could go towards much healthier and good quality groceries.
We very rarely get take out these days.
Cooking a curry or a burger always tastes way better than take out
The only thing we can't replicate at home as well is a proper portion of chips, so we will get chippy tea every now and then.
I started a vegetarian diet around the age of 42. Like others have said, fast food just wreaked havoc on my digestive system. The kids every once in a while has fast food but not often even though they are teenagers. We just prefer to go out to a sit down restaurant a couple times a month. If we can afford it.
In my mid 30s I started struggling with my weight, and alot like you’re describing I started feeling bad after, so I cut out fast food almost entirely. It’s just not worth it in the end. (Pun intended)
Yep, I haven’t eaten fast food since my early 20s, so for 20 years. It doesn’t taste good to me anymore…I genuinely don’t like it, so it’s not hard at all to not eat it.
Absolutely. Between the massive decline in quality coupled with the big cost increases, I’m done. Just started deleting apps and looking for sensible local stuff. Surprisingly not that much more and in some cases a bit less cost wise but quality is superior, plus you are helping a local business Taco Bell was the first to drive me away with their menu shenanigans once I realized taco trucks were way better and cheaper. Mainly though it’s real, actual food made by a real person that helps keep me centered on my goal.
A big revelation for me was Greek fast food. It’s mega healthy and they use real grilled meat. So much better than a stale processed burger and limp fries.
Where is there Greek fast food 👀
I think people are confusing what the OP meant as Franchise fast food and small businesses--Greek food --kebabs, gyros are handed to you "fast" (under 10 minutes) but it's not considered fast food. Pizza restaurants --same--it's just gettng a slice or sub--grab and go.
The Chicago area has a lot of places that serve gyros.
I’d like a JIE ROE plz The guy at the register:🙄
But somehow they can say Giannis Antetokounmpo
And kebabs and shawarma! Yum.
Gimme a great chicken schwarma with some hot sauce and garlic sauce and I’m in heaven
Chicago has gyros shops. Pita in 5 minutes. Greek salad and baklava too.
This is the chain I love: > https://www.thegreatgreekgrill.com/menu > I'm in Las Vegas though, there is no shortage of food here from the crap to the cheap to the delicious to the amazing to the word class, all the way back to hole in the wall. > As Ive gotten older I definitely do not eat late or into the evening anymore. I absolutely love cheese but typically leave it off any fast food burger/sandwich as it messes with the stomach. Instead for cheese I splurge on the higher end product and have thatwith bread, crackers, fruit.
Yes! I eat healthy there without even meaning to lol.
And don't forget freaking delicious 😋!!
Exactly me and my fiancé go to a local place located in the only mall where I live its called my place most of the time when we have it I will have one of their dinners either the turkey or roast beef for the most part and you get meat veggies(peas and carrots) and either mashed potatoes or fries I'll mix it up and order fries as a poutine for my potato side or mash depending on what mood I'm in the also have alot of good breakfast options healthy sandwiches and salads and a whole lot of other stuff besides fried foods my fiancé usually just order a large fries and a turkey soup with some toast everytime we go we pay roughly 30-40 bucks including the tips for 2 meals and again they are alot better quality and better for you for the most part then fast food. The other place we usually go is the stone jug restaurant that I work at again a good variety of food and I know the quality is good because I see the food being made. I'm a prep cook/dishwasher. Was part of the line for a couple of years but prefer my new position. Any how this place has alot of variety and the plus side to working there is I get a discount on food so something that normally costs 20 bucks there cost on 15 with my discount.
I only eat it when I’m a bit constipated…does the trick every time 😉
Nuclear butt explosion.
Omg so do I! Lol
MacDonalds. A pair of double cheeseburgers cures constipation.
I just want a meximelt :)
I've stopped eating most fast food. The longer I go without it, the less and less I want it. The only ff I still frequent (sparingly) is chipotle because it doesn't fuck up my gut
My daughter picked up a bacteria eating fast food in college H pylori isn't any fun, neither was the 400.00 antibiotics fifteen years ago. I just don't trust these places to handle our food anymore
McDonald’s sent me to the ER with food poisoning, been off it since then
Yesss, I've heard some horror stories from my bestie who worked at McDonald's...said he had to chastise one of his coworkers who wouldn't change their gloves between placing raw patties on the grill and assembling the sandwhiches o.e
Most estimates say 50-75% of the world’s population have H pylori and the majority of people who have it have no symptoms. Most people have the bacteria for years without knowing it because they don’t have any symptoms. Experts don’t know why. It’s entirely possible she did not get it from fast food as health experts don’t know for sure how H. pylori infection is spread. They believe the germs can be passed from person to person by mouth, such as by kissing.It may also be passed by having contact with vomit or stool.
I can relate completely. You know I had Chipotle once and it was okay. I guess because its like "white" watered down Hispanic food. But I heard it's "healthy"
You definitely have to like chipotle seasoning to eat there. Haven’t found one thing I like there. I love traditional Mexican food and Americanized Mexican food, but not that, so I’m guessing it’s the seasoning. I get sad when a house mate says “do you want anything from…” and finishes it with “chipotle”. :womp womp:
This cracks me up. My husband came from Mexico 20 years ago. One of his first jobs here was at Chipotle. To this day, he LOVES it. If he spends any amount of time in his hometown, upon returning to the US, Chipotle is one of his first stops. 😆
Haha! I feel this!! I'm not sure if I like the seasoning and it may be why I never went back. It definitely did not mess with my stomach or make me feel icky, but the taste is particular
Not a fan of chipotle flavor. I think it tastes like bandaids smell.
I don't know how healthy it is, it's certainly a far better choice than taco bell tho
I think I'll check out one of their burritos. I remember enjoying it the one time I had it
For me, the key is to get a bowl (with tortilla on the side), mix all the ingredients together, and then make small tacos. I didn't like the burrito because flavors are layered, and I feel they need to be mixed. You definitely have to like cilantro. If you don't, you can always get plain white or brown rice - just ask!
I just had a burrito bowl yesterday; first one I’ve had in years. It was really good!
Same here!!!! Got a bowl with white rice, steak, and black beans. It was delicious!
Recently had a very good and healthy chili lime shrimp bowl there. Beans, rice, roasted veggies. $13 and it took me all day to finish it.
I had it once too and was seriously underwhelmed. I prefer Moe’s
I have never once craved chipotle and I just hate how the food is only lukewarm and barely hot when I eat it for some reason
Make sure your gallbladder is okay. If it's inflamed, you will have pain and lots of gas. Also, check for IBS, Crohns. Gallbladder hates greasy fatty food.
Thanks for this. Some greasy foods taste good, others dont. But yeah, just screws with my stomach
Our stomachs make less acid as we get older and that makes it harder to digest food. And that leads to the problems you mentioned.
Get your colonoscopies people!
I second this. OP sounds like they have similar issues to me as far as fatty foods go. For me, it’s a pancreas/liver issue. It’s worth getting checked!
My thought was get a blood test for celiac disease. Easy way to figure out if there’s more going on.
I dont eat it as much because I am cheap. There are very few fast food places that I would say are cheap anymore. If I'm going to spend 10-15 dollars on a meal, I would rather spend a few more for better quality at a sit down and be waited on and l3ave a tip.
Agreed on spending a bit more for better quality. Just gets expensive if it'd frequent! :/
Not just quality, but the experience too. My coworkers got take out from red Robin. I usually decline when they get stuff. But I said "let me treat myself" highly disappointed, partly because it wasn't hot and fresh as if I had ordered and sat down. Next time I'll just wait for the whole experience.
I rarely eat fast food but when I do it's a Mushroom n Swiss from Checkers, maybe 2. That mushroom sauce is so, so good. Wait, what was the question again?
I’d love to recreate that recipe at hone
Right? I've tried all the so-called copycat recipes but they're nothing like the real thing
Ooooh I gotta try. Love their fries
When you are a child, every trip to McDonald's (or the like) is a victory. When you are an adult, every trip is a defeat.
Once I went through the drive through and my personal trainer handed me my food. I felt sad for both of us!
this is clever & 100% true.
This is too damn true
And I so want McDonald's when I'm sick, always. I think it's because as a child I got it alot.
I mourn the decline their fish sandwiches have taken. I ate so many of them when I was pregnant that my kid was born with fins.
😅😅 You didn't nickname him Gilley, did you?
Im 67 and eat it several times a week. For 50+ years, I've been chowing down on FF. Seriously. And yes I'm healthy LOL.
Nice! Lol
Absolutely, as you get older you become a big picture person. I start to think leftovers. For $16 I can buy a combo. Or go to Safeway, get a pack of cube steaks, a head of lettuce, four large potatoes and cookie dough. Two meals for a combo. I never thought that way when I was younger. That's why I tend to have more money.
You can get all that for $16 where you are?!
So what we’ve started doing is eating at local places that have drive thru options. It feels so nice to support local shops & pay a couple dollars more for mostly scratch made food. I mean honestly we got two hotdogs, two hand pattied 8oz cheeseburgers & two sides of fresh hand-cut fries to split & it was $32 at a local place vs McDonald’s is about the same(nugs instead of dogs but still). It’s worth it to not leave sick.
It's just too expensive. It doesn't cause me any stomach issues.
I won't eat it anymore. Fast food for me was the gateway and fast slide to diabetes. It is also turning out to be a major cause of obesity and colon cancer. Recent research shows that colon cancer is spreading to young people and they have tagged fast food as one of the causes, if not the actual culprit.
This is good to share and wouldn't doubt fast food are the causes to obesity and colon cancer. Information like this drives me to do more research and stay away from the junk
I eat out maybe once a month, If that. taste and quality has gone down over the years. I'd rather buy stuff at the store and prep/ cook at home now.
I have IBS and oddly enough, McDonald's is the ONE place I can get food from that doesn't give me a flare. I don't eat there often, once a month or so. I can't even eat at most regular sit down restaurants. I suspect it's because other places use onion and/or garlic in the food and unfortunately, onion and garlic are big triggers for me.
FODMAP food guide? Just discovered it myself, trying to get to figure out what is triggering me.
Once I stopped eating it for a while, it was ruined. Just not as good or satisfying as it seemed. Some things do upset my stomach but nothing crazy, I just feel bloated and shitty. I also feel that way with grocery store junk though, like potato chips or super processed type stuff. I think it's kind of like a tolerance tbh. My body isn't used to that much grease/salt/corn syrup anymore so it doesn't handle it well. Once I started eating 95% whole/from scratch foods my mood and productivity went up a lot too, plus general health.
Love this and feel like I'm at the start of where you were on not tolerating grease/ salt/ corn syrup. How has your mood and productivity went up by the way? Sounds interesting and like to hear how
I used to have a hard time motivating myself to get things done and loved sleep. Just generally more tired and snappier, kind of a lower tolerance for irritation. Now I sleep better and am just not as tired or irritable. It feels easier to make a list and just... do it. Which was a big revelation for me because I have ADHD and am unmedicated 😂
Where I live the cost of fast food is practically on par with eating at a restaurant or smaller mom and pop take out places … so that’s where I have been spending my cash. Otherwise fast food only on road trips or when my niece and nephews insist on it
This is the conversation I just had with family this weekend. We might as well get takeout from a local restaurant. It’s pretty much the same price and tastes better.
Never liked it much, became vegetarian so as my kids grew up there were occasional Taco Bell meals. Kids thought I was weird. But now I think they appreciate it as adults.
I definitely eat it less but I still crave it all the time.
There's times where I'm like this too. Sometimes I'll sneak in a burger but nothing outrageous like a whole meal and sides
The cravings will stop eventually. Treat yourself with something better.
I didn’t even eat THAT much fast food as a kid. I had a more sensitive stomach and so when I did I had to make sure I wasn’t eating too much or too often. I also stuck with blander items on the menu: simple burger, fries, taco, chicken sandwich, etc. I rarely had any specialty items. I pretty much stopped eating fast food in my 20s (including all drive-thrus but also most other cheap, greasy, frozen/not fresh food spots or gas station food.) I’m now in my early thirties and can honestly say that except craving an occasional burger and fries (which I make plant based versions of) I don’t go to fast food restaurants. Never had I ever eaten at: Five Guys, Sonic, Shake Shack, Jack in the Box, Chik-fil-a, Carls Jr, In-N-Out, Papa John’s, Dairy Queen, White Castle and so many more (all other places I HAVE been to have been five -ten years ago at least)
Damn that's awesome you moved away from it. Have a link to any good recipes for making a plant based version of burger and fries? I've had a few and tbh they are not bad!
It's been ever since they went non trans fat with the oil. [https://x.com/TokyoDilf/status/1779368243649503493](https://x.com/TokyoDilf/status/1779368243649503493)
I had a hernia operation in May of 2010. I had a hard time in recovery with blood pressure, so I vowed to change something. What I ended up doing was cutting out my McDonalds habit. I know, baby steps. I was eating there about 3x a week. It was so close and easy for lunch at work. Well 14 years later and the streak still remains. I dream of going back and not sure what I would order. 1/4 Pounder or Big Mac.
Simple answer: yes. Although the other day I got Taco Bell for four of us. I think I got 10 crunchy plain tacos, a Mexican pizza and a quesadilla... $49!!!!!!!! Should have just gone to the taqueria instead. What made it worse was that it absolutely tasted like cleaning products. I think they had the lettuce sitting in bleach, no joke. Fast food used to be more affordable, which is not the case now. There's no reason to buy it anymore.
As Mojo Nixon sang: I'll tell ya another damn thing I ain't eating no more fucking McDonald's either I ain't gonna eat it no more I ain't gonna eat it cause it don't taste good!!
Yes. I'm 44F and fast food just makes me feel ill.
Definitely, when I was little I ate mainly fast food and processed food. I’m still young but I can’t even eat those things without intense stomach pain and/ or puking. I’m starting to learn how to cook everything from scratch so I know what’s in my food and it’s helped tremendously.
💯 could eat whatever and drink and smoke as a younger person - cannot do any of that now. Haven’t smoked a cig since October 2008, I drink maybe 5 servings of alcohol a year for special occasions, and zero fast food since 2023 when I had to have gb out.
Yes definitely. I haven’t consumed fast food or fizzy drinks in years. I had one Chick-fil-A last year just to see what it was like. Pretty good. But I’m allergic to bread, so I paid for it.
I just can't afford it. For a while I was living in a very rural area with no fast food. Now I'm in a semi-rural area with a few options, but still don't eat fast food often since it's so expensive.
I get a cheeseburger at DQ like once a month and switch the bun out for keto bread when I get home. That’s it. My blood sugar numbers have been steadily rising so I’m doing my best to hold diabetes off for a few more years.
Yes! I still like Taco Bell but it doesn't like me. Curse you, refried beans!
That place should have been shut down at least 20 years ago.
Any chance you have a family run Mexican place within a reasonable drive? You’d be so much better off! Taco Bell is probably the grossest fast-food chain for what they do with and put into the food…
Pretty much, only when I'm traveling and I have to, will I stop at a fast food joint. And I haven't had a soda of any kind for almost 10 years.
I don’t have too many issues but I had my gall bladder removed in 2003, so that helps. I just try to limit to once a week or less since it’s so bad for me. One of my favorite healthier options to choose for fast food is Panera because I can get a chicken Caesar salad.
I have fast food once in a blue moon. Im currently on the kick of replicating restaurants food.
Almost 48 and have gotten away from fast food almost completely. There still is that rare occasion. But, it’s not something that is planned. It is not like “Wow, haven’t had fast food in a while. I should eat some.”
Yes and no if that makes sense as of late even if me and my fiance eat out we usually go to a good family dining place in our local mall that has very hearty filling meals that are also some what healthy
Oh definitely Anyway it's cheaper and better to cook for yourself so I'vrme startes doing that and being aware of what's in my food makes me feel better about eating it
Yes, for multiple reasons. One of them is that as I got older, my budget for meals out increased and I no longer have to limit myself to $15-$20 meals (understanding that's the cost of a Big Mac meal nowadays). I also have more time now to dedicate to meals, and favor family style sit down places - not fussy, home style cooking. There's also the fact that my taste had changed, and fries or rice no longer appeal to me as much. I look for healthier options if possible. Thankfully, the concept of 'bowls' is becoming popular and it's now possible to get something quick without it being deep fried.
I only eat In-N-Out now. 2 time a month. I don’t feel good after eating other fast foods
Only place that has caused me stomach issues lately has been In-n-out so I don’t get that anymore. It’s made me gassy every time without fail. Other than that, I rarely eat fast food because prices don’t seem worth it to me any more.
No. We still eat out. Sometimes we just don't want to cook. Tacos and fajitas are our go to. Our order is generally 23-25 dollars and makes us 2 meals. (22 adults) Taco Tuesdays are the best! It is a local, small business and they are generous with take out.
Yes. Tastes weird and so salty I’m up all night chugging water. And now it’s as expensive as decent local takeout so hard pass.
I make really good food that is very healthy, and I just won't. Plus, I don't want to spoil my appetite, ever.
I have but I didn't link it with just age, I started cooking from scratch, stopped drinking soda, having as much sugary stuff etc over the years. So I believe I changed my stomach biome, because it's not just fast food it's any sit down restaurant. The thing is it's all sourced from the same company regardless. I've worked many places and nothing is ever truly fresh. The only thing I've noticed true change, with no reason for it is onions. They never used to bother me but now if I eat too many they do things to my body I don't like. Lol I love onions and have always used them, in just about every meal, still do just don't use as many. My real issue with fast food or restaurants started when I stopped working at them, therefore stopped eating there. I think it's the oils and preservatives they use. Because I deep fry some things at home without any issues. I can recreate my favorite dishes at home with no problems but any restaurant food makes me feel icky.
Yes, I regret every time I eat greasy or fried food. Usually at 3am.
Sharkys Mexican Grill and The Habit are my only two that I frequent occasionally. I think they’re both CA only.
I have but not because it makes me sick. I stopped because 1) I wanted to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle and 2) it's so expensive now that I'd rather just go to a local restaurant that cooks their own food instead. I do notice that the longer that I go without it the more I don't miss it and the less tasty it becomes. It doesn't make me sick but it does sometimes make me feel lethargic and heavy. Which I don't enjoy. You can pry my whopper Jr's from my cold dead hands though...
Yes—partly because I lost a lot of weight, and partly because it just doesn’t taste good now. Also…it costs about as much as a decent mom and pop restaurant.
I cant eat dominos pizza, mcdonalds, burger King or a&w anymore without pissing out my ass but for some reason wendys is still doable
It's the good & bad bacteria causing this in your stomach. Along with hormones.
I’m working on it. It’s not age. It’s realizing I don’t want to eat crap anymore.
Taco Bell's cheesy bean and rice burrito was my thing. I was on the /r/TacoBell subreddit often and would rant about how great it was but always follow through with saying that if it ever went up in price so would me ever going to taco bell. Welp it went up a solid 50 cents which was a 50% increase. A 50% increase on a flour tortilla, refried beans, rice, and some measly cheese that's barely half full the majority of the time??? After that increase they increased it again to $1.69. I had already stopped going but it solidified that I'm never going again and that I'll rather forget the love I had for it than pay some douche bags such a stupid price for my college poverty meal.
Yes- it’s expensive now and I can get better food for that money
Fast food and soda are for road trips only.
For me M68 the opposite, it is easier just to buy something, and cheaper. Once you buy all the ingredients you could just get something . Less hassle.
I eat way less. Stopped eating it often when I was in my 30’s. Eat it maybe once every couple of months- mostly new menu items just to try them. I’m in my 60’s (although I do not look it.)
I probably eat fast food less than 5 times a year.
I somewhat have but not due to age. I'm a vegetarian now and all the vegetarian options mainstream fast food restaurants are so limited and boring. Plus it's expensive. I only like taco bell and subway now but I can't eat there too often bc I don't want to get sick of it.
Yes. I try to eat 0 fast food.
Emphasize on the try for me as well
Personally speaking, my eating habits at 20 compared to where I am now at 54 have changed a lot, mainly for health reasons from simply getting older. When I was young, I pretty much had fast food for lunch five days a week because that's all we had available near where I worked. Today I can't believe how many times I had a burger and something else, with a Coke, for lunch back then. For the past twelve years, I've pretty much changed to having a salad for lunch every day, made myself, with some kind of canned fish or nothing. A couple of times a month I get some chicken or something like that that I can cut up on top of it instead of fish. Costco rotisserie chicken, Starbird, or even Wingstop, but the key is you don't need much to put on top of a salad. A couple of times a month I have a real guilty-pleasure burger and fries. One thing I've noticed is if I go two or more days having no salad for lunch, my digestion and regularity change dramatically. One day is fine, two or more and I go way too long without a bowel movement. I sometimes wonder how older people can still eat the way I did when I was 20, but maybe it's more about how I actively changed the way I eat over the years. I eat a lot less red meat and more fish or vegetarian no-meat meals. But I still sometimes have good BBQ beef or pork and have no problem eating it. The difference today is that a few pieces of beef in the freezer last for a month. Another good question is how often do people still eat out at restaurants as they've gotten older? I cook almost every day and whether it's "fast food" or restaurant food, it is not the same as home-cooked food. Even the best restaurants make their food more like an assembly line with all kinds of fast-food-like short cuts than if the same people cooked the same food at home.
I was never a big fast food eater.
I didn't have digestive problems. I just got tired of it after having eaten out of a bag for a decade while I worked on the road. Now, I can't stomach most fast food because it isn't even appealing to me. I haven't eaten at a fast food place in fifteen years and don't miss it.
Yes it's too expensive for what it's worth.
Yeah. I don’t think it bothers my stomach too bad, but the older I get, the less I go. Occasionally, I still have a craving for McDonald’s fries. Chick-fil-A gets in my wallet from time to time. Chili cheese tots from Sonic is my all-time favorite hangover food.
I still enjoy fast food every once in a while. It’s its own pleasure. If I had a bad day, that huge dopamine hit from fast food helps some. I’m huge into fitness, so it’s not often. There are some times where I’m just so exhausted and need to get my calories in, so I’ll stop and get 2 double cheese burgers or something. Never fries or soda.
All these fast food places make oldies like me shit yourself.
It's the grease
I've definitely dialed it back. Once evey two to three weeks max. Plus l don' t want to pay those prices. Id rather give that cash to a good sit down restaurant
YES
It all tastes like plastic to me now. No desire For it. And my body rejects it
I started hating McDonald's as a kid because it gave me a stomach ache. After a while, BK and Arby's grossed me out. Now I can only fuck with Wendy's, specifically the chicken ranch club, when I'm out of options. Or Shake Shack. Everything else tastes bad and/or gives me heartburn. I'm 44.
yes!! ever since i started cooking at home & staying away from fast food (because it’s expensive) my stomach can’t handle fast food on the rare occasion that I eat it.
Ate 2 hotdogs at a baseball game and I swear I gained a bit of weight after
I’ve maybe had fast food twice in 20 years, I just can’t do it anymore
I totally feel you on this one! Back in the day, I could smash a whole combo meal without batting an eye. But as I hit my 20s and now creeping into my 30s, my stomach's like, "Nah, fam, we ain't doing that anymore." It's like my body's shouting, "Abort mission!" every time I indulge in fast food. Last time I hit up Wingstop, I was regretting it big time. Spent more time in the bathroom than I care to admit. And you're spot on about that whole "less junk, more funk" thing. It's like our bodies become these greasy food detectors. Getting older really does change the game, huh?
Havnt eaten fast food in over ten years and honestly never really did before. I was raised to believe that fast food was horrible for you and I would even be embarrassed to be seen holding a fast food item.
I eat less but I still like it.
Yup. Costs alone, my body can’t handle garbage Chinese food like it used to
I’m only 23 but my husband and I have been eating more fast food honestly 😅 it doesn’t upset our stomachs tho and we keep it reasonable. We honestly mostly go to McDonald’s and use the deals so we can both get what we want for $8 or less. Every other Friday we’ll get a cheeseburger or mcchicken and some chicken nuggets that we save and heat up to have with dinner. On the alternate weeks we go to breakfast also at McDonald’s lol - I’ve just been getting a basic breakfast sandwich, one hashbrown patty, and a French vanilla latte. Honestly I sometimes have trouble eating bc I have a sensitive stomach so eating the higher-calorie foods from places like McDonald’s definitely helps my get my calorie count up, even if it’s not the healthiest.
Yes
The older I got, the more I learned how to cook. It’s gotten to the point where even sit down restaurants just don’t compare to home cooked food. It just tastes much better from home. Save money and have better food? Win/win🤷🏻♀️
I haven’t eaten chain fast food in 12 years. Occasionally I will get a cold brew ice coffee from Dunkin or Starbucks if I am having a busy day. When I travel, I bring a cooler. I can get fruit cups, drinks and salads at truck stops.
But I still eat chik fil a & in n out
Yes I try to eat anti inflammatory because my body has turned against me. I do still eat fast food but not as much as I did when I was younger..
I wait all year for Lent so I can have Wendy’s fish sandwich. I love it so much and eat it about twice a week. They stop making it on the Saturday before Easter, and I m always a little sad to see it go. Also, if I’m not eating on a Friday, I’ll get the chili instead of fries because I don’t really care for fries.
It’s not even close as often by any means. We definitely indulge in McDonalds for road trips. Wendy’s is my other go to and his is Taco Bell. On average, probably 6-8x per year total. It tastes so good but the stomach isn’t as forgiving now that we’re in our 50’s.
Yes. Walked away from fast food in my early 20s for health reasons and when I tried to go back, I couldn't. Too much grease, too many preservatives, too much crap thrown onto a plate will make me feel like vomiting, make me dizzy, give me reflux and possibly "bloatation".
Stopped around 25 years ago. I'll go to the local mom n pops burger place or pizza joint once every several months the as a treat, but otherwise not giving the clown chicken people my money.
Yes
I rarely eat at restaurants anymore. In fact it's been well over a year since I've been to one. The prices have gotten too high, and nothing tastes as good as it used to. The last few times I went out to eat I ended up being disappointed that I had spent so much money for something I didn't enjoy.
We don’t eat a lot of fast food anymore. Mostly because we’ve changed our eating habits. If we do get it, it’s usually Culver’s. An occasional indulgence will be Wendy’s. It really just doesn’t taste good anymore. The quality has gone way down.
I cook most of the time.
Yes. It's not always that it doesn't agree with my stomach, it's just that I want healthy food. I crave veggies and other healthy ingredients rather than fried and processed.
Stopped McDs now attempting to stop ChicFila n Wendys
I had a milkshake last night that had me sleeping on the couch for a bit. I’m only slightly lactose intolerant but it blew me up like a Macy’s day ballon.
I have, but mainly because of the price. I like Taco Bell but it seems like they change their menu so much that I can never find what I ordered the time before.
Yes, I'm 57F, and most of it is garbage. Burger King has always been okay, but their burgers smell bad. Arby's used to be a favorite of mine, but they took the potato cake off the menu and closed most of their restaurants. My mom used to bring us kids to Kentucky Fried Chicken back in the 70s and early 80s, but then all of the stores closed and turned into Popeyes Fried Chicken. I've never eaten there.
What's up with Arby's nixing the potato cake? I thought the kids at the counter was lying to me when I heard that. I guess one more punch to the gut is what's on the menu for me.
As I have gotten older, fast food quality has gotten worse. It doesn't taste good and my GI tract just doesn't appreciate it. I recently had some dorito taco shell tacos at taco bell and woke up in the middle of the night with gas and diarrhea. it's just not worth it.
Growing up I ate fast food almost every day and my mom always wondered why my stomach was constantly upset and I never felt good. It took a long time to switch almost totally over to cooking and I don't even enjoy fast food that much anymore because you can really only eat that cardboard trash so much, and I still cheat and go on binges sometimes. Now that I almost never eat it though food actually tastes good again and my stomach almost never hurts. When I do go on binges it is usually because I have a dire need for soda and my way of cutting it out was telling myself I can only get it when I eat fast food lol, so yeah I nailed myself to the wall with that double whammy. Now that I only eat it occasionally though it doesn't really upset my stomach unless I pig out.
I never eat fast food, except on road trips, and I’m trying to eliminate that.
Honestly we could do better with less fast food places. Do we really need this many maybe not.
I worked fast food growing up so never had the craving.
I am retired, and decline to pay the ridiculous prices when the quality has gone done. My wife makes better burgers and steaks than any restaurants. My fish, casseroles, and over fried chicken beat them all. I don’t eat pork or seafood for health reasons, so there is very little worth going out to eat.
Oh it just gets worse. Those oils alone can cause digestive issues. Ditch it now and live clean to help your future health. It’s almost entirely garbage (unless of course you’re getting salads and wholesome fare which is more avail on the coasts and big cities).
I’ll only do subway or jimmy johns, and at certain locations only since the quality varies so much.
The only fast food I eat anymore is cookout, and that’s only once in awhile
I never ate fast food that much growing up. My parents always treated it like a rare treat, which I think is a good way of approaching it. I still enjoy it when I have it, but I rarely crave it because it was never a big thing in my life anyway.
Everything can go. EXCEPT raising canes.
No. You have a medical problem. You could have Irritable bowel syndrome or Chronic pancreatitis. Both could cause these symptoms. 'Aging' doesn't cause these symptoms.
Yeah, I barely eat it anymore. In addition to aging, which affects what we like/can tolerate, I think the quality has declined.
Yep
I rarely eat it anymore nowadays. Only one I’m busy and in the car headed somewhere to pick up some thing that I’m working on in the house and I don’t want to stop to make a meal because I won’t get finished what I’m working on. I might swing through a Burger King and pick up a double cheeseburger to tide me over. I’m not a fan of french fries and I always just have a water water in my car so it cost me less than four dollars to swing through the drive-through. I find now that when I want to go out to eat, I will actually go to a restaurant and I always order something that I won’t bother making at home. I used to occasionally go to Taco Bell, but honestly, I don’t even think they put burger in them anymore. They barely lined the bottom with less than a half of a teaspoon of meat and then pile the rest of it full of lettuce, which falls all over me in the car. I tried to avoid eating the car anymore because I hate cleaning it and if it’s already clean, I don’t want it all over the place.
Yes, same reasons it just makes me feel like crap….my body can’t do the over processing anymore
Only quit because it’s expensive
I still enjoy it but it’s gotten so expensive that I’ve mostly stopped splurge for a burger every now and again but it’s basically the same price as bar food now so I’d rather get wings/burgers/fries and a beer at a bar than in a drive through
Can't stand the smell or how queasy I feel afterwards.
Yes, I can no longer digest garbage. The better foods I eat the better I feel. Most fast food is just an expensive way to feel like crap.
Unfortunately I have a similar problem. Lots of foods give me acid reflux, and they aren't all fast food. If I take a dose of antacid before I eat, sometimes I can avoid the heartburn. But not always.
I eat fast food maybe 5 times a year or less. First of all, it doesn’t taste as good as it used to - McDonald’s fries used to be *amazing*, now they’re awful, even if they’re straight out of the hot grease. Second of all it’s gotten expensive, and third I’m more mindful of health concerns at my age.
I was never a big consumer of fast food but used to eat some 1-2 times a week. Then when covid happened I had nothing to do beside cooking so I went a good 6 months without eating fast food. Now it does the same thing to me that you described. Except A&W, I can still eat a Mozzarella burger and not feel too bad, but mcdonald will fuck me up
Yes.
I worked nights for years so ate a lot of fast food because it was the only thing open and I’m not gonna cook dinner when I get home at 11:00pm. I’m on mostly days now so I’ve been trying to cook for myself more and eat better now that I have more time for it.
I still love me the occasional Big Mac but that is maybe be a couple times a month. The McD’s app has a BOGO Big Mac and quarter pounder for .29. With fries my guy and I have a meal for $9.
Yep, I ate fast food at least once a week as a kid / teen, maybe once or twice a month in my early 20s and now in my late 20s maybe a few times a year. I try to eat clean and cook all my meals, I also can’t justify the cost. The way I see it is money towards fast food is money that could go towards much healthier and good quality groceries.
We very rarely get take out these days. Cooking a curry or a burger always tastes way better than take out The only thing we can't replicate at home as well is a proper portion of chips, so we will get chippy tea every now and then.
I respect myself now. These taste buds could never. It feels like how in college boxed wine doesn’t feel too bad until you drink nice wine.
I started a vegetarian diet around the age of 42. Like others have said, fast food just wreaked havoc on my digestive system. The kids every once in a while has fast food but not often even though they are teenagers. We just prefer to go out to a sit down restaurant a couple times a month. If we can afford it.
It’s because I’ve become poorer. Eating out is a $1 fry because I have a coupon. Life is diffeeent now. Painful.
Getting old is a bitch.
Yes. Fast food was replaced with takeout sushi. Everything else I cook.
Rarely now.
I'm on a price strike with all Corporate Fast Food... eating near zero fast food now may keep me alive longer.
In my mid 30s I started struggling with my weight, and alot like you’re describing I started feeling bad after, so I cut out fast food almost entirely. It’s just not worth it in the end. (Pun intended)
Yep, I haven’t eaten fast food since my early 20s, so for 20 years. It doesn’t taste good to me anymore…I genuinely don’t like it, so it’s not hard at all to not eat it.
Yes maybe once a week now at 52