Dollar menu or disaster?

Why is it that burgers and 30 fl. oz. sweet tea drinks are $1 but salads and waters cost at least $3? The way these fast food industries work is mind-boggling. Healthier foods should cost less than greasy bacon burgers, large cups of Coca-Cola and sweet teas. It's sad because at least one-quarter of American adults eat fast food everyday. Majority of times it's because they are too tired too cook or they can't afford to go to the store and buy all the food products in order to make a homemade meal. Huffington post says "About 45 percent of people in the U.S. have reported not being able to cover their basic living expenses, including food, shelter and transportation." In a way it's almost convenient to have a dollar menu for those who can scrape up enough change to buy a simple meal, but in the long run it ends up resulting in a thousand dollar hospital bill.
No one is considering that even though this "meat" may be cheaper there has to be a reason why. Just like when you go to a store there is a reason why certain things are on sale. Because these burgers, tacos, burritos, and chicken sandwiches are $1 that should raise suspicion as to how its made, what's in it, or more so how that animal is killed. Even though I understand that when these industries have Dollar menus it attracts customers, and eventually that money will add up. But what about the quality of the meat? We could or might be eating either some type of suspicious meat mixed of horse a** and cow neck or meat filled with excessive amounts of chemicals dangerous to the humankind, that could possibly cause cancer, birth defects, and other dangerous body issues. Not every one is educated about what they eat or how its created, but rather how it taste, which in my opinion, somewhat proves us to be a narrow minded nation. In order for this to stop we have to change it. There are plenty of ways. We cans simply stop eating at these fast food industries or maybe even start a food donation center for those who can't afford food. The possibilities are endless.