Because they're full of chemicals.

Cheaper to make, filled with chemicals so they sell for less than something that took more care to grow or costly ingredients to make.

For instance a whole pack of ramen which could be multiple meals compared to a single salad, the ramen is chosen if about cost cause usually cheaper.

you can get pizza for $1

Fast food is typically cheaper than healthier alternatives in monetary price if not also time. Fast food costs less to produce, whereas healthier food is unfortunately considered a premium (see: rise of Whole Foods, gentrification, the premium pricing of organic food).

It's also a question of being full, obtaining a variety of nutrients, and overall maintaining variety of food- while a bag of bananas can be cheaper than a burger and fries, do any of you eat only bananas per meal?

Also, buying fresh healthy groceries requires them to be bought in bulk; fresh food spoils quickly because preservatives aren't added.

A lot of the US is rural and it may be closer and cheaper to drive to taco bell or mcdonalds down the street than to drive 20-30 minutes to the closest grocery store. That’s why middle America has an obesity problem. a lot of towns dont have grocery stores

youre implying someone low on funds has time to make their meals every day without the ingredients going to waste before then, and that someone wants a sandwhich every day lol

Fast food doesn't equal all unhealthy food but actually a lot of things from McD's would prob be cheaper than certain healthy alternatives although it is getting better to find cheaper and healthier options. Plus not all fast food is that cheap in comparison to certain healthy options.

However the cheap snacks and pre-packaged meals in the stores compared to buying certain fruits and vegetables or things of a healthier alternative usually have longer shelf life and cheaper in mass purchase so they are considered more reasonable on a small budget.

I saw you were coming from the fat thread mentioning about fat people claiming it's cheaper but it also has to do with what is viable.

I've heard this quite often too...

People don't consider a bag of bananas to be a meal in comparison to a burger and fries though...

because it is? and it's not just fast food. it's everything.

on top of everything else it's packed with preservatives and will have a much longer shelf life than anything fresh you'd buy in the grocery store.

also these prices are ridiculous/a joke lol

yes. they want us sick so we buy their meds.

Yes sadly, it is usually referred to as a "food desert" and happens in certain areas where they only have small corner stores than can only carry things but so fresh. The only grocery store with fresh items being miles away.