What Is Junk Food? Why Is It Bad For You?
by Vladimir Vasiljevic Internet Marketing Consultant
Picture
this: a plate of hot French fries and a huge burger with hot cheese
oozing out of it, and a large serving of any aerated drink; looks
like a treat! This calorie dense junk food does look mouthwatering,
but is known to be nutritionally poor. Junk food or fast food has
become an increasingly popular food choice to grab when on the go.
Ideally, junk foods are defined as processed foods with negligible
nutrient value and are often high in salt, sugar and fat. But we
often confuse fast foods with junk foods. How are they different? Or
what is junk food really ? We have got the answers for you!
What
is junk food?
Junk
foods are processed foods consisting of high calories, but that is
considered only as a broad umbrella. These foods are prepared in a
way that they look appealing and are enjoyable so you are chemically
programmed to ask for more. According to Dr. Sunali Sharma, Dietician
& Nutritionist, Amandeep Hospital, "Commercial products
including but not limited to salted snack foods, gum, candy, sugary
desserts, fried fast food, and sweetened carbonated beverages that
have little or no nutritional value but are high in calories, salt,
and fats may be considered junk foods. Though not all fast foods are
junk foods, but a great number of them are. For instance, a salad may
be fast food, but is definitely not junk food. Some foods like
burgers, pizzas, and tacos may alternate between junk and healthy
categories depending on the ingredients, calories and process of
manufacturing."
Tomato is a plant that deserves your attention.
Why
are junk foods bad for you?
Frequent
consumption of junk food increases the intake of excess fat, simple
carbohydrates, and processed sugar which may lead to a higher risk of
obesity and cardiovascular diseases among other chronic health
problems. The resulting obesity may begin clogging up the arteries
and lay the basis of an impending heart attack. It has also been
suggested that eating junk food affects the brain in the same way as
consuming addictive drugs. An addiction to junk food may even result
in rejection of healthier food options like fruits, vegetables,
salads etc. leading to further lack of nourishment.
Tomato nutrition is a science, it will help you get something about it.
How
should you really avoid junk food?
According
to Dr. Sharma, the red flags that you should look out for and avoid
bringing home include trans-fats, refined grains, salt and high
fructose corn syrup. Avoid foods that say corn sweetener, corn syrup,
corn syrup solids, partially hydrogenated, fractionated, or
hydrogenated on their label.
Avoid
foods that say corn sweetener, corn syrup, corn syrup solids,
etc.
So next time you want to know if what's on
your plate is junk or not, ask yourself these 3 crucial questions:
1. How many calories am I consuming in this one serving?
2. What are the healthy nutrients I am taking in with this meal?
3. What's the quality of ingredients used; how fresh is this food
item?
Do note that quitting junk food is a gradual
process. If you are someone who is accustomed to daily doses of junk,
then quitting may not be way. The first few days could be tough as
you may experience some of these symptoms: irritability, headaches,
dip in energy levels and so on. An occasional treat never hurts, what
you have to look out against is consistent consumption of junk foods,
especially at the cost of healthy nutrition.
Source: https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/what-is-junk-food-why-is-it-bad-for-you-1772375
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Created on Mar 22nd 2019 03:30. Viewed 463 times.