Blog# 09 Just Because It’s Real Cheese Doesn’t Make It a Salad
It’s 2025, and let’s be honest, everyone’s thinking more about their health. Whether it’s trying new diets, hitting the gym, or just attempting to eat less junk, health is definitely trending. So when I saw this fast food ad talking about how “natural” and “fresh” their burger is, I had to laugh a little. They’re calling out things like fresh lettuce, real cheese, and no preservatives like it suddenly makes their burger healthy. It’s what people are calling “Health washing” basically slapping health terms onto something that’s still not actually good for you.
The ad also leans hard into nostalgia. They make a big deal about how their house sauce hasn’t changed since 1948, and how their burger is “classic” and “simple.” It’s smart, because it taps into that whole vintage, authentic vibe that people love right now. But let’s be real. just because something hasn’t changed in 60+ years doesn’t mean it’s suddenly healthy. It might not be full of fake ingredients, but it’s still a greasy burger.
At the end of the day, sure, it’s great that they use fresh tomatoes and don’t overload it with additives. But that doesn’t mean it belongs in the same category as a balanced, healthy meal. It’s still fast food. This kind of marketing just tries to make us feel better about eating it. And hey, eat what you want! Just don’t let fancy wording fool you into thinking you’re making a super healthy choice.
I completely agree with this viewpoint—just because a burger contains "fresh" ingredients doesn't mean it's suddenly healthy. You perfectly captured how companies leverage buzzwords and nostalgia to make indulgent options seem guilt-free. Loved how you articulated this with a clear, honest voice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great entry. I fully agree that we're in our "healthy" era right now. I've always said how chains advertise fresh ingredients but what the public is unaware of is that everything is straight from a warehouse on pallets kept in a freezer. Great topic on bringing awareness to the so called freshness.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that In-N-Out is trying to "health wash" their burgers here, I do have to give it to them on the produce always seeming crisp, the buns being nicely toasted and their prices staying reasonable. The patties are pretty small though haha.
ReplyDeleteThat title though, Paul! So great!
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