One of the defining features of modern American life is its fast-food consumption in the United States. For millions, the America’s fast food industry has become a cultural symbol of affordability, while offering convenience. Over the decades, the fast-food industry has adapted to the diverse Americans’ taste palettes and lifestyles by offering a wide range of choices like pizzas, burgers, donuts, corn dogs, fried chicken, etc.

Fast Food Frenzy

In the mid-20th century, the America’s fast food industry began to grow on a massive scale when brands like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s completely reformed their eating habits by offering fast, pocket-friendly, and portable meals. As the car culture was fueled by the growth of suburbs demand for fast food also increased; drive-thru windows brought ease for the customers as well. America’s fast food culture became a symbol of modernity, by the 1990s, fast food chains were working globally, and the industry served billions of customers each year. This very day, the US fast food market has over 200,000 establishments operating across the country worth over $300 billion as fast food is being consumed by many Americans multiple times within a week.

Trends and Fast Food

Though fast food consumption stays predominant in the American diet, eating habits have still evolved. Trends hold great significance and they have the power to leave an impact on people’s life choices as well. People are becoming more health-conscious these days so many chains have started to offer grilled chicken, and salad to keep their customers though these options are still very limited compared to the rest of the menu that offers food high in calories, fats, and sodium which raises multiple health concerns. The simplest of things are being commercialized by different trends, information gets spread into the global village within seconds and food chains cash upon this idea.  The food industry offers a bizarre idea like pineapple on pizza, canned chicken, maggi milkshakes, hot beef sundaes, etc. and people out of curiosity buy these things. Other than that, food getting delivered to the doorstep has made things much more convenient for the people. Fast food chains are popular among Millennials and Gen Z; as the food offered is price-sensitive, convenient, and hassle-free as they save time and energy compared to cooking from scratch.

Health Concerns

It is no secret that fast food contains unhealthy fats, poor nutrients, dense calories, sugars, and salt which raises health concerns for the consumers. With the rise in fast food consumption the epidemic of obesity increases in the US as well. Symptoms of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions can be observed in the US public for the overconsumption of fast food. Other than that, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims that 40% of the adults in the US are suffering from obesity and children are at a high risk of it as well.  The fast-food industry offers affordability and convenience, but its long-term health risk factors cannot be ignored.

Environmental Impact

The fast food industry is not just playing with people’s health, it is also impacting the environment greatly. Meat is required in fast food chains and due to its high demand, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation are on the rise. The fast-food industry relies on the use of plastic containers, straws, and wrappers for serving customers which has increased plastic wastage and is affecting ocean life.

Conclusion

Fast-food chains are providing affordable food to the masses but their impact cannot be overlooked on the humans and environment. Eating habits need to change to avoid obesity in the young generation as it will lead to more bodily issues that will impact the mental health of Americans as well. 

Since the early 2000s, the makeup industry has undergone a significant metamorphosis. From a narrow and traditional market, it has transformed into a vibrant and inclusive industry. Earlier there were limited product options and the definition of beauty was restrictive. Still, over the years the industry has evolved as it has embraced diversity, technological innovation, and social media’s influence. A broad spectrum of ethnicities, skin tones, and gender identities are proudly putting themselves out there and they are successfully pushing the societal set beauty standards through variation in the products and innovative marketing strategies. 

The Early 2000s: An Era of Red-Carpet Glam and Understated Elegance

In the early 2000s, celebrity culture and magazine covers were at their peak and they ruled makeup trends as well. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Lopez were the groundbreaking individuals setting the beauty standards. 

2000s were ruled by makeup trends that were bright and bold like icy blue eyeshadows and vibrant eyeliner to create striking eye looks. Thin sharp arch eyebrows were in trend. Glossy lips were a staple and clear, pink, or glittery shades were used, to achieve a dramatic appearance a darker outline was drawn on the outer side of the lips. Emo style made its way to the mainstream in the early 2000s as well, which included heavy eyeliner, multiple coats of mascara, and smokey eyes. Matte foundation and warm powder were used not only to highlight the complexion but also to keep the skin dewy. Celebrities in magazines and on TV were often seen wearing face glitter to add an extra touch of sparkle to the overall look.

The makeup industry was ruled by mass-market brands and drugstore beauty lines but the dawn of the internet age brought new opportunities for setting fresh trends and redefining beauty.  

The 2010s through different Social Media Dominance, Inclusive Beauty, and the Ascendancy of Digital Influencers

In 2010, social media and digital platforms significantly changed the makeup industry. Social sites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok appreciated beauty influencers and makeup artists and encouraged them to get creative with skills; the new beauty culture that emerged was not just aspirational but educational. Makeup was made accessible through tutorials and product reviews by influencers like Michelle Phan and James Charles. Fenty Beauty introduced a variety of shades in their brand, not only that their goal was to focus on natural ingredients and packaging that were not harming the environment. Technological innovations have developed to the extent that through augmented reality the gap between online and offline beauty shopping has been bridged using try-on features. Overall, the 2010s democratized beauty and made makeup more inclusive, accessible, and technologically driven.

 The 2020s: An Era of Virtual Beauty Innovation, Eco-Conscious Sustainability, and Gender Expression

In the 2020s, different social movements, technological advancements, and shifting beauty standards are continuing to make waves in the makeup industry. Brands are encouraging experimentation and inclusivity as gender fluidity is being accepted and celebrated by the masses. There is much more awareness in people now than there was ever in the past, and that is why prioritizing sustainability and making sure that the products are in eco-friendly packaging, and they are cruelty-free is the top priority. A large sum of consumers have shown concern regarding the environment which pushed the makeup industry to come up with a practical solution to cater to their targeted audience. The realization that it is the responsibility of the general public to make a healthy choice now and have a better living condition in the future, is changing the world slowly but effectively. With the rise of AI-powered technologies foundation matching and skincare have become much easier. Other than that, post-pandemic makeup trends have revolutionized makeup routines. The usage of masks for protection shifted all the attention to the eyes and for that reason, bold eyeshadow, graphic eyeliner, and luscious brows gained popularity. Bold eye makeup gained popularity and demand for durable mask-friendly makeup also increased. 

Conclusion

A stunning transformation has been noticed in the past two decades regarding the makeup industry. Its focus has shifted from being only a celebrity-centered market with limited inclusivity to a more diverse and dynamic marketplace. In the present era, makeup is not about just beauty, it has become an identity, an expression, and a way to showcase talent. Social media and technology have not just played a major role in bringing hidden gems into the limelight it has inculcated a sense of responsibility in users to go for more chemical-free and sustainable products that are cruelty-free as well. New trends are more accepting and they challenge any traditional set standard of beauty and encourage individuals to embrace their unique selves. 

Veganism is a responsibility and those who adopt the vegan lifestyle are saving the Earth and its creatures while staying healthy. The careful conscious consideration while saying no and yes to what is out there to be used and consumed is what makes all the difference. 

Veganism deals with conscious dietary and lifestyle choices that are free from all sorts of animal exploitation and cruelty. It is not limited to food consumption only, the clothes one wears, cosmetic products one uses, and the choice of entertainment one makes are also considered. In other words, veganism advocates a compassionate way of living that does not compromise the lives of animals and discourages industries that cause harm to animals. The key component of veganism is a vegan diet that relies on plant-based products only, which includes a wide range of nuts, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and seeds and eliminates anything that can be taken from animals for consumption like honey, meat, dairy, eggs, etc. 

A broad ethical, environmental, and health-conscious approach to life is taken into consideration in veganism rather than just the food-related choices that need to be made. Many people switch to veganism to adopt a healthy lifestyle as going vegan can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers because the vegan diet is filled with nutrient-rich profile with fewer unhealthy fats; but many other people switch to veganism because they do not want to encourage animal cruelty environmental sustainability, or both. 

Ideology of Veganism

The veganism approach is not just about killing animals and using their products for human consumption, the ideology goes deeper than that. Veganism raises the voice against factory farming, the usage of animals for chemical product testation, and for entertainment purposes like shooting films, game-riding contests, zoos, circuses, seaworld, etc. where animals like elephants, horses, monkeys, tigers, dolphins, etc. Vegans advocate that animals have an inherited right to live their lives in their natural habitat just like humans, and unnecessary intervention must be ceased as it only brings suffering to them.  Veganism is closely related to environmentalism. Animal agriculture contributes to environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and water pollution. Avoiding animal agriculture and promoting plant-based food is an attempt to minimize the ecological impact and increase production with fewer resources involved.

Vegan diets are highly nutritious but it is important to meet the nutrients that are driven from animals and look for essential plant-based alternatives to have a well-balanced diet. vital nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber can easily be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Whole grains such as rice, oats, quinoa, barley, and farro are the powerhouse for carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and minerals like B vitamins, magnesium, and iron. Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas help to meet the daily requirement of protein. Different nuts and seeds offer healthy fats and minerals such as zinc and calcium. They are very beneficial for brain health as they are packed with fatty acids like omega-3. Alternative to cow milk can be derived from soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. They are fortified with calcium, vitamin D, and B12. Consumers’ interest has grown in vegan cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy substitutes over time.

Concerns of Vegan Diet:

The vegan diet has challenges attached to it though adopting a vegan lifestyle not only saves the lives of animals but also contributes to making the earth a better place. New vegans’ biggest concern is to make sure they are getting all the nutrients like iron from plant sources (non-heme iron) takes longer to absorb than the iron present in animal products, vitamin B12 is not naturally found in plant food. 

Veganism is a movement towards a virtuous, eco-friendly, and health-aware lifestyle. It is an attempt to stop environmental degradation and mitigate animal distress by eschewing animal products while providing a healthy alternative altogether. Veganism is taking baby steps but it surely is making waves worldwide.