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JUNK FOOD

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Crunchy Cheetos with a sandwich
Crunchy Cheetos with a sandwich

Junk food is a common term used for any food item that is perceived to be unhealthy or to have poor nutritional value. The phrase was coined by Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972. Examples of junk food may include, but are not limited to: hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Although Chewing gum and Bubblegum are not swallowed, they usually contain sugar or sugar-alcohol. Be careful, as sugar-free gum usually uses sugar-alcohol as a substitute. While sugar-alcohol won't cause tooth decay, it does have calories.

A diet rich in junk food is not conducive to maintaining a balanced diet, as suggested by various government and non-profit health organizations. The term has been used by many different groups over the years including opponents of fast food industries and environmentalists.

Junk food nevertheless remains popular because it is relatively cheap to manufacture, easy to purchase, is convenient to consume, and has a lot of flavor because of its typically high fat, sodium, or sugar content. Its nutritional value is typically very high in empty calories. Junk food also may contain numerous food additives, which are used to enhance flavor, adjust texture, alter color, and prevent spoilage. For this reason many junk foods are also convenient in that they have very long shelf lives and often do not require any kind of refrigeration.

Hostess Twinkies, the almost iconic junk food
Hostess Twinkies, the almost iconic junk food

Since junk food is high in fats and sugars, it is a leading cause of obesity, dental cavities, increasing cases of Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, etc. They are very low on proteins, vitamins, and fibre. Once children start consuming junk foods, their intake of high-protein-vitamins-roughage diet substantially decreases and intake of milk and healthy fruit juices is replaced by soft drinks. This can cause a deficiency of calcium, milk being a rich source of calcium, resulting in weakening of bones.

Some types of chips that are said to be "junk food" may actually be partially beneficial because they may contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. However, since they are fats, the intake of these should be kept to a minimum. It should also be understood that the detrimental effects of the empty calories may outweigh the benefits of the unsaturated fats. These foods tend to be high in sodium, which may contribute in causing hypertension (high blood pressure) in some people.

Advertising restrictions

Following a threat of court action from the National Heart Forum[1], the UK advertising regulator and competition authority, Ofcom, has launched a consultation on advertising of foods to children.[2] The Food Standards Agency is one of many respondents. [3]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Guardian (Felicity Lawrence) Heart campaigners drop case over junk food ad ban 22 June 2006
  2. ^ Television advertising of food and drink products to children - Options for new restrictions
  3. ^ Food Standards Agency Board responds to Ofcom consultation