It seems that most recent news stories about fast food joints deal with nutritional and ingredient issues—from Taco Bell’s “beef” to Wendy’s new natural-cut French fries with sea salt. Making food with all natural food clearly seems like a step in the right direction toward quality food, but is that really why you go to a fast food restaurant? I don’t think so. If I want all-natural food made with high quality ingredients, Burger King is not in the forefront of my mind. Heck, Taco Bell fresco tacos aren’t even in the running. The only reason I go to fast food restaurants is to get a fatty burger, fries, soda and maybe top it off with some ice cream.

I get it that fast food restaurants are attempting to fulfill their corporate social responsibility by offering “healthier” options, because sometimes fast food is the only option to grab food on busy days or while on the go so it’s nice to be able to get something with 150 calories as opposed to something packed with 800 (and usually more) calories.

This topic came to mind when I read an article (http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/112557/wendys-natural-cut-fries-bnet) about Wendy’s new natural-cut French fries, which leave the skin on, are crispier and tastier. In this way, the fries are different than McDonalds or similar restaurants however, they are still frozen and fried exactly the way most other fast food establishments do. Additionally, the sea salt increases the fries’ sodium amount by 43 percent. Perhaps these more “natural fries” aren’t so natural. However, Wendy’s hamburgers do have an advantage over the competition because Wendy’s burgers are not frozen.

Bottom line: If you’re concerned with getting healthier options, fast food probably is not your best bet. Even the salads at most places contain huge amounts of sodium and fat from the dressing. Also, if you’re after more natural ingredients, it will cost you. Natural ingredients cost more for the restaurants, and are in turn reflected in the price you pay. This decision is one consumers must weigh and determine 1) whether the cost of consuming a day’s worth of calories in one sitting is worth it and 2) whether you’re willing to dish out more from your wallet for more natural ingredients. There’s also the other problem with people wanting quality food products but don’t want to pay more than $5 for a meal. Guess the old saying is true: You get what you pay for.

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