[originaltext] The biggest recent change in eating habits and food-related l

The biggest recent change in eating habits and food-related lifestyles is the advent of fast food. This permits many people to eat conveniently without having prepared it. But it also makes family-style meals less likely to be, and it is not always very nutritious. The clever marketing of fast food such as KFC may cause some youngsters to dislike their parents’ cooking and some college students to dislike the more nutritious food available on campus. Eating fast food while driving is also a cause of traffic accidents. Sociologist George Ritzer uses the metaphor of "McDonaldization of society", and that we should voice our protest by eating in local "mom and pop" restaurants rather than patronizing national or international fast-food chains. Despite Ritzer’s advice, McDonald’s and other fast-food chains are probably here to stay. They are getting more similar to one anther all the time, with hamburger chains offering chicken, chicken chains offering hamburgers, and all of all offering milk shakes and fries.
    Nutritionists have been warning that the typical fast-food diet is unhealthy if eaten too often. Consequently, some of the fast food chains, such as McDonald’s, are now including healthier options for their customers along with the traditional hamburgers. Various healthy salads are now appearing on the menu boards, along with low fat salad dressing options. For children, fresh apple slices can now be chosen in the place of French fries in the children’s meal, and apple juice or low fat white and chocolate milk can be chosen instead of a cola. Bottled water also can now be purchased instead of a soft drink if one so choose. Most people believe that this trend of healthier eating will continue.