From tradition to takeout: How fast-food is impacting health and community in Kashmir

The fast food chains are there, too, but it’s not just the chains. Even the local shops have jumped on the bandwagon. They sell burgers, fries, pizzas, fried chicken—things that weren’t even part of the conversation a few years ago.

It’s hard to ignore the change. In the past, the food was part of the community. You could walk into someone’s home and there would be something hot cooking.

A soup simmering on the stove, the smell of rice and lamb in the air. The younger generations are starting to forget what it was like. They reach for the burger instead of a home-cooked meal. It’s easier. It’s faster. And it tastes good, or at least that’s what they think. They don’t see what it’s doing to them.

The physical changes are harder to ignore. Kids who used to run around the streets are now sitting inside, playing on their phones.

They eat fast food for lunch, for dinner, or between classes. You can see it—how their faces have changed. The puffiness, the weight around the middle, the way their clothes don’t fit right. It’s all coming from the food. The burgers, the fried chicken, the pizzas. They’re easy to get, and they’re cheap, but they don’t offer anything good. The energy is empty. The kind of energy that comes and goes quickly, leaving you feeling sluggish afterward.

But it’s not just the food that’s doing the damage.

It’s the way it’s changing everything—the way it’s turning food into something you grab on the go, rather than something you share with others. There’s no sitting down together any more. People eat in the car, on the street, in front of the TV. They don’t even think about what they’re eating or why they’re eating it.

And it’s not just the young ones who are feeling it. You talk to the older generation, and they tell you how worried they are. They remember when food was real. When it wasn’t loaded with salt, sugar, and fat.

They remember the meals they grew up with—slow-cooked, nourishing. Now, they see their children and grandchildren getting heavy. Getting tired. Getting sick. And it worries them, because they know what’s coming. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure. They’ve seen it in other places. They’ve seen it in the city. It doesn’t take long for fast food to catch up with you.

The digestive problems are starting to show up, too.

More and more people complain of stomach aches, bloating, acid reflux. Food doesn’t sit right.

The body is used to the fresh vegetables, the homemade breads, the rich stews.

But now it’s been swapped for greasy, processed meals that come with a side of discomfort. There’s no satisfaction, no fullness. Just a stomach that grumbles a few hours later.

The mental effects are harder to notice, but they’re there. People aren’t as sharp as they used to be. The energy is always low, and the mood is worse.

You see people dragging themselves through the day, not realising it’s the food. They think it’s work, or life, or stress. But it’s the food. It’s the food that’s making them feel sluggish, making them lose focus. The weight is more than just physical. It drags them down mentally, too.

And it’s not just the food. It’s the way fast food is changing the way people interact. There’s no conversation over meals any more. People eat alone. They don’t sit down and talk about their day, share their thoughts, laugh over a good meal.

Meals were always a time for connection, for sharing. Now, the food is quick, and so are the relationships. There’s no space for slowing down. Everyone’s in a rush. Even when they’re eating, they’re on the go.

It used to be that when you went out, you could stop by a local stall or market and get fresh produce.

People would know where their food came from. It was grown in the fields nearby. Now, you walk past those old shops, and they are closing.

There is no market for fresh food any more. The fast food places are taking over. The food is coming from somewhere else—somewhere far away — and it’s not good for the community. It’s not helping anyone.

There’s no quick fix for this, no easy answer. People can’t go back to how things were, not exactly.

The world moves faster now, and food is part of that. But there’s got to be a way to balance it. To eat better, to slow down. To remember that food is more than just fuel. It’s something to enjoy, something to share.

It’s about more than just satisfying hunger. It’s about nurturing the body, the mind, and the spirit.

If there’s one thing people in Kashmir should take away from all this, it’s the need for balance.

Yes, fast food is here, and it’s easy. But it doesn’t have to be the only option. People should remember that real food—home-cooked, fresh, slow—is still the best option.

The old ways aren’t lost forever. They’re still here, and they can still be part of everyday life. People just have to choose it. They have to choose it over the easy, greasy option.

And that’s  what needs to change. The way people think about food. The way they think about their health. The way they think about their future. Fast food may be convenient, but it isn’t the answer. It’s a short-term fix with long-term consequences.

People need to remember that health isn’t something that comes easy. It takes effort. It takes time. It takes food that’s good for the body, good for the mind. And above all, it takes community. Sharing a meal. Eating together. Being mindful of what goes into the body. That’s  what’s  going to make the difference in the long run.

The author is an educator and columnist, and writes about literary fiction and reflective articles on society and culture.