Junk food
Everyone knows food is as important as the air we breathe and the water that we drink. Basically, it is a source of life. Food is fuel as well as medicine for our body. Its importance is directly related to our body, mind, and spiritual well-being.
It is not only about satisfying our hunger and cravings but also there is a whole science explaining the link between the food and how it affects our quality of life. The healthier we eat, the more nourishment of our body happens.
It provides us with the essential vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need so that we can be healthy, active, and joyful. It’s not something to be considered a commodity but the basic necessity of one’s life.
It plays a major role in the maintenance of health in order to avoid any kind of illness. Every cell in our body needs sufficient energy to strengthen our muscles and bones, repair tissues, and help develop our brain and other organs.
Basically, junk food is a category that is high in calories, salt, processed sugar and is often deep-fried. Salted sugary snacks like chips, candy, sweets, desserts, and fast/street food like burgers, pani puri, samosa, pizza (depending on nutrients and how it is prepared), etc are mostly the food choices that one has in today’s life.
Yes, they seem cravingly delicious but you are not doing any favor to your body by eating those low nutritional unhealthy food rather you are doing the opposite. It is unhealthy because of the negative impacts it has on your well-being.
Research suggests that watching ads about processed foods encourages people to eat more of them. It actually activates the reward system in the brain when one eats it on a daily basis, in the same way as addictive drugs (cocaine & alcohol). So, the more you eat it, the worse your body gets but you feel satisfied just like any other drug.
Manufacturers consider two factors while preparing it, the first is “sensation” while eating which includes its smell, taste (sweet, salty, spicy etc), and crunchiness. The second factor is its nutrients of it, they are very less, but they add the perfect blend of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that excites our brain and makes us want to eat more often. It’s a TRAP.
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Obesity: Junk food contains loads of sugar, calories, and fats which contribute to weight gain. Obesity can cause many medical issues like joint pain, diabetes, and heart diseases.
Learning and memory problems: A study stated that people who stick to a junk diet performed poorly in cognitive tests. So, it was concluded that junk food can weaken your memory and the brain. It causes damage due to inflammation in a certain part of the brain which is responsible for memory and recognition.
Depression and Anxiety issues: It can cause certain chemical reactions in the brain which affect its functioning. If you overconsume these, the body loses essential nutrients and amino acids. This leads to the weakening of your brain which becomes unable to deal with stress, and anxiety. Hence, it leaves you feeling depressed.
Digestive troubles: Excessive sugar intake fluctuates blood sugar levels and makes the brain demand more food which eventually leads to overeating. So, the body cannot digest such huge quantities and this may leave your brain in confusion.
Hinders growth and development: Major consumption of these causes deficiency of essential vitamins and nutrients which hampers the growth of one’s body. Excess intake of soda and sugar causes tooth decay and weakening of bones.
| Categories | Junk Food | Healthy alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Ice cream, chocolates, candies | Fruit Salad/Smoothie, Dark chocolate |
| Salty | Potato chips, french fries | Kale chips, Baked veggie fries, Roasted chickpeas, cashew nuts, Makhana |
| Spicy | Indian Masala street food (samosa, pani puri), chilli chips | Hot Sauce Popcorn, Spicy noodles |
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