Why do the British think ALL Americans LOVE fast food?

Question

An American asked a question about trying to find something to eat in England because he didnt like the English food (no offense, but England is famous for having horrible food) & everyone just lashed out at him. Some said things like " we have Mcdonalds & KFC & all the things you Americans like to eat". Ok, Americans do not constantly eat fast food. Most Americans that eat fast food only eat it when they are in a hurry. Over lunch break or on long car trips or something of the sort. That is why its called FAST food. But we certainly do not DINE at fast food places. Its not like you pack up the entire family & say to the wife "Honey, lets go to Mcdonalds tonight". We dont do that, so why do the British think that? The last time i ate fast food as a first choice place to eat i was a teenager. I do realize that England is a country that condemns Americans for fast food, but the Brits use heavy cream, butter and way more fats than anyone in the US would ever dream of.

Answer 1

Because, like it or not, Mc Donalds, KFC and Pizza Hut are all most of the world ever sees of American food.

I have been to the US many times and have eaten good food every time. Also, we do have some decent food in Britain too, if you know where to look. Admittedly, a lot of it is Indian :-)

Answer 2

Seems like charcinders is the only intelligent one here.

Haley F, try using English. Where do you get your facts? ("americans eat fast food 2 nights or more a week"). This is simply not true.

Ellie, your "facts" ("fast food is fine never. Half of the meat isn't even real cow") are also incorrect. Fast food in moderation (<once or twice a month) will not hurt a healthy individual. Also, all beef in fast food is beef (cow).

The claim of Americans on the whole being overweight is true, according to the modern definitions of obesity. The only discrepency is whether this definition is true for all body types. There is a great deal of research on people who fit the definition of obese, yet are in better shape physically than those that have what is defined by an "ideal" weight. However, Americans as a whole do have poor eating habits, and are generally overweight.

The media loves to emphasize this (just like any other "shock story"). It is a stereotype that sells. Unfortunately, too many people derive their information from media outlets, rather than truly researching information.

Traditional English food does tend to be bland and favor heavy sauces using butter (which in moderation is much better than most margarines), cream and other fats. In moderation, these foods are generally ok to consume (for a healthy person). In fact, "substitutes" are far worse IMHO. These products, usually synthetic or heavily modified from natural products, not only are bad for the body, but also give the consumer a false sense of security, which leads to overuse. Trans-fats (hydrogenated fats) are a great example of this. A few years back, margarine was touted a healthier alternative to butter. Now research has shown that trans-fats cause health problems (margarines are loaded with trans-fats).

As far as "healthy eating"....anything in moderation is generally not a problem, when it comes to food. Let's face it-do you want to live a long, miserable life, or a shorter, happier life? You can eat fast foods occasionally without ill effects. It all comes down to moderation and self-control.

The bottom line? Good food is available in England-you just need to know where to look, as Charcinders stated. The perception of Americans prefering fast-food is a stereotype-ignore it.

Answer 3

Simple , there's alot of fat people in America compared to other countries and fast food is more ready available to them .

( no disrespect intended )

Answer 4

I am British and think people are stereo typing.

Although America is well known for its fast food I am sure there as many who do not eat it as there that do.

Its the same over here , many get a burger on there lunch break.

This Britain V America battle is immature.

I do think that you are being just as bad by saying "Brits use heavy cream, butter and way more fats than anyone in the US would ever dream of."

You can not moan about  what people say about Americans and fast food then fo on to have a pop at us.

It makes no sense.

Answer 5

I don't see them cook when watching a movie so maybe that's why.

Answer 6

Who actually cares?

Answer 7

becaus the money fat food companys get over a half of americans eat fast food 2 nights or more a week yet fast food ears more money and british thinks we all love fast food yet not every one does

Answer 8

Because they associate obesity with eating a rubbish diet.

You rarely see people in Europe the size of some Americans.The clothing sizes in America can cater for far bigger than is catered for in Europe and that's simply because there is a demand.

Almost two-thirds (about 66%) of U.S. adults age 20 or older are overweight -- about 62% of women and around 71% of men. Nearly one-third (about 31%) of American adults are so overweight that they are considered obese, meaning they have a BMI greater than 30; that breaks down to about 33% of women and 30% of men.

Less than one-third of all U.S. adults age 20 or older are at a healthy weight, which means they have a BMI of 18.5 through 24.9.

The prevalence of overweight has steadily increased over the years among both genders, all ages, racial and ethnic groups, educational levels, and smoking levels.

Recent research has shown that Americans are almost twice as likely as those who live in Europe to become obese. Not coincidentally, Americans have been found to be more likely than Europeans to suffer from chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Answer 9

Its tough to hear but the biggest US food export to the UK has been processed fast food of the most basic kind. i.e. the movie Supersize Me.

Basic British food can also be pretty lacking but what response do you expect from a host when you reject the hospitality?

Your friend hadn't tried excellent British cuisine (and it exists) and these British people hadn't tried excellent US cuisine. (it also exists)

Your friend could have been more polite to his hosts, much more polite. Insulting your host country is not cool.

Answer 10

I have seen alot of grossly obese americans even the small kids pumpkinshaped- thats not healthy eating.

Answer 11

Because entirely too many Americans DO eat it on a semi regular basis.  Have you seen Americans?  As a country we are entirely too obese.  

Heavy cream and butter are fine in moderation, fast food is fine never.  Half of the meat isn't even real cow.