Junk food is causing a real pandemic that affects the health of millions of people.
The emergence of junk food during the twentieth century is one of the most problematic factors in relation to this issue. To take care of health we must avoid junk food, which is all kinds of food product harmful to our body.
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What is junk food?
Junk food or junk food is anything that does not have a recommended nutritional profile. It is thus a term that is widely used to refer to different types of food, being usually produced by the food industry.
Unfortunately, we must bear in mind that the food industry, with some exceptions, is focused on profitability and not on people’s health. This ends up resulting in different types of food products with a low production cost.
However, since the suitability of these products for health is not a priority (only if it is synonymous with sales), it is normal that they have different drawbacks. Additives, sugars, salt, saturated fats or refined flours are some of the ingredients of these products, which are very difficult to introduce into a balanced diet.
This causes people who usually consume these food products to develop different types of diseases easily. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension or atherosclerosis are some of the most common.
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10 Types of Junk Food That Are Harmful Food
Junk food has come to cause health problems worldwide. Industrialized countries have led a paradigm shift in terms of food, and that is that most of their inhabitants consume many food products that their grandmothers would not have identified as such.
Below are the main types of junk food, potentially harmful food products. Eating this type of food from time to time is not a problem, but when it is consumed regularly, you have to seriously worry about your health.
1. Sweets
Sugars are potentially very harmful food products . Although natural sugars can be found in foods such as fruits without being a problem, the truth is that externally added sugar in other food products is highly inadvisable. In addition, it is common for them to contain additives and other ingredients that are not recommended, so they can be considered junk food.
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2. Fried
Most vegetable oils are not highly recommended . Except for some really healthy ones like extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil, others like sunflower oil are not. In addition, fried foods may have been cooked with oils that have reached high temperatures or have been reused, which is bad for your health.
3. Industrial breakfast cereals
Breakfast cereal is one of the surprises on the list for many people . The truth is that making “porridge” or any preparation with whole grains is an excellent option for breakfast, the problem comes with industrial breakfast cereals. These contain huge amounts of refined flours and sugars that raise the glycemic index.
4. Soft drinks
Soft drinks are generally a bad idea for the body . They normally contain additives, gas, sugars and acids, substances without any nutritional interest and that in the best of cases do not contribute anything. However, each and every one of these ingredients has potential health damages, therefore soft drinks are a type of junk food (even if they are drinks).
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5. Industrial bakery
The breakfasts of millions of people include industrial pastries every day . This is bad news for public health, because these types of food products contain trans fats, as well as saturated fats, sugars, etc. A good quality butter croissant can have a Sunday once in a while, but it’s not good to have pastries often.
6. Ice cream
Ice creams are a type of food product to watch out for . In the same way that eating a quality croissant from time to time is possible, eating an artisanal ice cream made with good products is also possible. However, the most consumed are those produced industrially and that contain sugars, creams, additives and other highly inadvisable ingredients, which makes them junk food.
7. Fast food (low quality)
“Fast food” means fast food, and as such this does not have to be bad . As long as you bet on products of good quality and nutritional profile, something that does not happen in the big companies that produce pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and others. The reason is not only the low quality of the product, but also that they are made up of ingredients that cannot be abused, such as red meat or flour.
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8. Juices
Natural juices are not bad if they are not abused, but those that contain sugar are . Many people do not know the amount of added sugar that juices sold in bricks contain; sometimes they have more water and sugar than real juice. For this reason, the ideal is to drink natural juices, without forgetting that they cannot be abused equally. Taking a large amount without the natural fiber of the food is not good.
9. Precooked food
In many homes, precooked food is part of everyday life . This is very bad news for your health, as it is very common to consume food products with too many ingredients such as salt, glutamate or sugar. Types of food products that contain many ingredients and are microwaved or baked and ready are highly discouraged. It’s all about junk food.
10. Ultra-processed food
Few ultra-processed foods are recommended. There are very good ones, such as extra virgin olive oil. However, it must be understood that all food that is made from products derived from other foods is suspicious. Products containing large amounts of refined flours, refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt are examples of this type of junk food.
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References
- Poti, J.M., Kiya, J.D., & Barry, M.P. (2013). The association of fast food consumption with poor dietary outcomes and obesity among children: is it the fast food or the remainder of the diet?. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 99(1), 162–171.
- Smith, A.F. (2000). Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food. Westport (Connecticut, USA): Greenwood Press.
- Wiles, N.J., Northstone, K., Emmett, P., & Lewis, G. (2007). ‘Junk food’ diet and childhood behavioural problems: results from the ALSPAC cohort. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63(4), 491-498.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.