Why You Need To Drive By The Drive Thru – Junk Foods and Health
July 6, 2022Junk Foods and Health: I can remember my parents pulling into the drive-thru of a fast-food restaurant to pick up dinner for the family. I also remember how much fun waiting in the car and hearing my parent's order was, especially when I got one of those toys in the kid's meal. As an adult, I don't eat a lot of fast-food items (anymore!) because they tend to be high in fat, salt, and calories.
But I, along with many others, don't always make the best choices when it comes to grabbing a quick bite on the way home from work or when strapped for time and need something that is quick and easy to feed a hungry family. Grabbing a frozen dinner from the grocery store to save time is not a good choice either. Pre-packaged frozen meals are often loaded with sodium, preservatives, added sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Industry experts tend to agree that drive-thrus do not serve a place in a well-balanced diet. Studies have shown that in most families, diets consisting of fast food tend to be high in fat and calories and low in dietary fiber than regular diets. An article written by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has stated that "Nutritional quality is typically lower in fast food meals than in home-prepared foods."
Junk Food and Fast-Food
Junk food is a term for food that has poor nutritional value and is considered unhealthy. These foods contain many calories and are loaded with preservatives, sugars, and fats. Junk food, generally created out of various artificial flavoring and chemical compounds, has become the staple diet for people who don't know how to eat healthy. It’s popular among office goers, young adults or teenagers and children. It’s usually a part of fast food culture where people depend on it for their smallest meal or snacks.
There are people who are not conscious about the nutrients they take in their body and they end up eating junk food or other foods rich in calories. This can lead to weight gain and overweight conditions. Furthermore, junk food is also responsible for various chronic diseases, such as childhood obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and fatty liver disease.
The popularity of fast-food in the last couple of decades has been steadily increasing. Many people find this affordable convenience to be an attractive option for their food choices, but the lasting effects can be detrimental. Obesity has been a concern amongst people of all ages. With the increase in fast-food restaurants, there has been an increase in obesity and chronic diseases. We found out that regular consumption of these fast-foods can cause high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Hence, both have become indispensable items in their daily diets. In fact, according to a survey on global food consumption by the Food and Agriculture Organization, over 50% of the total calorie intake every day comes from junk food sources such as cakes, pastry, pizza, and noodles. Fast- foods can also be included in this list.
Effect of Junk Food on Body Health
The health effects of junk food are often debated. When you eat healthy foods, your body feels good. But a diet high in junk food can cause you to feel sick and even get sick. Junk food also changes the way your body uses energy and may lead to weight gain.
Weight Gain or Obesity
Junk food is high in calories and fats, which lead to weight gain and cause obesity. Obesity is one of the biggest problems in the world today. It contributes to a slew of other health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, to name a few.
Depression
Junk food contains chemicals that make us feel happy for a short time. However, after some time, they make us depressed because they do not provide any nutrients to our body that we need for our mental health. This can lead to depression and anxiety in people who eat a lot of junk food regularly.
Digestive Issues
Junk food does not contain any nutritional value, so it will not help your digestive system work properly. This can cause digestive issues like bloating or stomach pain, constipation, etc.
Bad Sleep Habit
When we eat junk food at night, it can affect our sleep quality as these foods are rich in carbohydrates and fats, which make us feel drowsy after eating them.
Cause Diseases
Junk foods are high in saturated fats and sweets, which can raise your cholesterol and put you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Furthermore, a high-sodium diet can raise blood pressure over time, enhancing your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. This is especially true if you're overweight or obese since excess body fat puts extra stress on your heart when pumping blood through the body.
FAQs:
Why is junk food called unhealthy?
Foods and drinks having a low nutritional value are referred to as junk food. These fast food items are heavy in fat, added sugar, and salt, and are deficient in vital nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Junk food consumption has been related to serious health issues. Junk foods have no place in a healthy diet and should be avoided totally.
Why should we be aware of fast-food and junk food?
Because fast-food and junk food intake has been related to heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues. In order to avoid harmful health impacts, these foods should be consumed in moderation.
What are the health risks of consuming junk food on a daily basis?
According to research, the more junk food a person consumes daily, the more likely they are to acquire major health issues. Obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes are some of the issues that might occur. Junk food may also raise the risk of depression and digestive problems.
Tammy J. Colter is an OH staff writer and has proudly served the ObesityHelp community since 1999, helping members and professionals alike. Tammy wears many hats at ObesityHelp, she works as an author, editor, and account manager. Read more articles by Tammy!
