Is junk food good or bad? This is my personal experience. I gained admission into college 5 years ago, I was curious to know what life will be like when I start taking decisions for myself. A few days later, I was given a bed space, and the first thing that greeted me at the entrance was the hostel rules and regulations. All through my first year, I was feeding on boiled noodles, snacks, fizzy drinks, etc. because of the rules and regulations.
After 3 months of feeding on only junk without proper meals, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was so lucky it was detected early and given prompt attention. Stay glued to this page as I take you through the answer to the question “is junk food good or bad?”
WHAT IS JUNK FOOD
According to Oxford Dictionary, junk food is any food that is quick and easy to prepare and eat but that is thought to be bad for your health.
Junk food is a term used to describe foods that are high in calories, fat and/or sugar, but low in nutritional value. While often tasty and convenient, eating too much junk food can have a negative impact on our health. The key is moderation, enjoying these types of foods occasionally instead of consuming them on a regular basis. In order for us to determine if junk food is good or bad for us, it requires looking at both the benefits and the risks associated with its consumption.
TYPES OF JUNK FOOD
The list of junk foods is quite numerous, for this topic we will take a few. They include canned foods, cream products, preserved foods, cookies, ice cream, potato chips, hamburgers, candy, French fries, bacon, nachos, doughnuts, popcorn, hot dog, chicken nuggets, mozzarella cheese, cakes and fizzy drinks.
IS JUNK FOOD GOOD OR BAD?
If you read through the story I shared above, you will agree with me that excess junk foods are bad. The next question that readily comes to mind is, are you saying we should avoid them totally? Read patiently to get answers to this.
HOW HEALTHY IS JUNK FOOD?
Junk foods are not healthy but it is okay to eat occasionally. Giving yourself a simple treatment such as a slice of cake or a handful of hamburgers won’t hurt. Junk food has been a staple in our diets for generations, but it’s only recently that we’ve begun to understand the potential health risks associated with it. While junk food can be convenient and tasty, it often contains high levels of fat, sugar and salt which can have a negative impact on our health if consumed in large amounts.
IS JUNK FOOD GOOD OR BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH?
Narrowing this down to health, research has it that 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.
WHAT CLASS OF FOOD IS JUNK?
The body can do without junk food and that is why it’s termed “unhealthy”, as a result of this it doesn’t fall under any of the classes of food, it’s actually taken for our own pleasure.
WHO ARE THE LOVERS OF JUNK?
We all love foods that are easy to find, sweet and appealing to the eye. Research shows that Australian teenagers aged 14-18 years get more than 40% of their daily energy from these types of foods. Young people are often the targets of advertising junk food companies. Another study also showed that adolescents aged 12-17 years view over 14.4 million food advertisements in a single year on popular websites with cakes, cookies and ice cream being the most frequently advertised products.
WHERE CAN I FIND JUNK FOOD
Junk food can be found in any grocery store within your vicinity, they can also be found in fast food spots, online food vendors and department stores. But while it may be easy to get your hands on junk food, it’s important to understand the potential health risks associated with eating it.
WHERE ARE THEY STORED IN THE BODY?
Consumption of excess fat or sugar is stored in adipocytes, it can also be stored in the liver. The liver is a very important organ because it is in charge of handling sugar and fat. Food typically takes 24-72 hours to digest. The intake of junk food slows down the digestion process to 3 days and beyond. Digestion of any food requires various enzymes which these fast foods lack.
ARE THEY GOOD FAT OR BAD FAT?
We all know that fat is an essential part of our diet and is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. But, when it comes to fat, there are two types: good fat and bad fat(trans fat). Good fats provide us with essential nutrients and help us stay healthy.
Junk food has the unhealthiest fat to eat which is called trans fats. Trans fats are found in a lot of processed food. Trans fat should be eaten sparingly because it can raise cholesterol levels, clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. It can also lead to weight gain and other health issues.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TAKE JUNK FOOD?
It had been ascertained that junk food is unhealthy food but eating fast food once a week ensures that you are able to give your body what it needs without harming it. Fast food also helps in boosting metabolism by making your body burn more calories.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF TAKING EXCESS JUNK FOOD?
There is a saying that goes “excess of everything is bad”, everything you do or take should be done in moderation. Eating fast food in excess can have effects on the following areas of the body:
- The digestive and cardiovascular systems of the body
- It equally affects the respiratory system
- It has an adverse effect on the central nervous system
- Reproductive system
- Skeletal system and
- The skin, hair and nails
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF JUNK FOOD:
The advantages are:
- It’s very fast to make
- It saves time
- Good for a lunch break
- It makes one feel more energetic
Disadvantages are:
- It cannot satisfy one’s hunger
- Lead to weight gain
- Deprives you of oxygen because excess fat blocks the airways
- Contains high cholesterol
FINAL THOUGHTS ON IS JUNK GOOD OR BAD?
From the analysis, research and information above, I believe the question “is junk food good or bad?” has been answered. It has been proven that although junk foods are nice, palatable and sweet, they should be consumed occasionally. It should also serve as snack that can be taken once a week. Other than your main source of nutrients, excess junk foods are bad, they tend to limit your body of the necessary nutrients.