Sometimes, people don’t crave the usual heavy healthy meal. Some days, they need snacking. That’s where junk food comes in.
It may not always provide the best nutritional value but it provides great comfort.
Junk food: Etymology
Junk encompasses food that is high in calories from sugar and fat, with little dietary fiber, proteins, vitamins, minerals, or other important forms of nutritional value.
These snacks provide empty calories, supplying little or none of the protein, vitamins, or minerals required for a nutritious diet. But either way, we love it!
Most “junkies”, or rather snackaholics, need junk food not just for comfort eating but for the energy boost.
Some examples of junk include cake and biscuits, hot chips, burgers, pizzas, chocolate bars and candy, and alcoholic drinks. Fast food can also be described as junk food.
READ: Healthy Habits to Develop
History of junk food
Well, if you ask me, I’ll say that junk has been there since the beginning of time.
It has been around for hundreds of years, but only just became extremely popular this century.
Junk food is now available all over the world. We see it almost everywhere we go, in grocery and convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. Even in pharmacy stores!
You can literally step out of your house and be provided with junk food.
SEE: Healthy Eating Habits You Should Adopt for a Better Life
Why do people love junk food?
Did you know that America has a world junk food day? This day is on the 21st of July but not much is known about the origin. Most people say it was established by a group of food traders.
There are many reasons why people love junk and it’s not particularly because of the sweet taste.
Have you seen: 10 Ways to Keep a Healthy Lifestyle
It looks Attractive
The popularity of junk food can also be attributed to its beautiful visual appeal. Look at Oreos for example; don’t you just want to eat it when you see it in a store or on the internet?
Oftentimes, manufacturers focus on colors to appeal to people, most especially children.
It affects our mood
This has to be the top reason why people love junk. When we are stressed, our body produces a hormone called cortisol in response. Cortisol increases the sugar content in the blood.
That’s the reason why, when we’re stressed, we prefer foods that are high in sugar, fats, and carbohydrates.
Read: Stress: 10 ways to manage it
It’s easy to find
Junk food is everywhere. It’s in every grocery store, instant meals are available, and snacks and sodas are sold in every vending machine.
Unlike regular food where you have to cook, this is easily accessible. You can also consume it in a short period of time.
It’s tasty
Of course, junk is very tasty. It is rich in sweets, fats, or salt, which gives it a rich taste. Fat makes junk food feel smooth and creamy.
It assists with blood sugar level
Eating low calorie-food results in low blood sugar levels. This makes people crave sweet food.
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Junk food is a form of reward
Most of the time when we have a bad day, we want to reward ourselves with something nice and sweet. Donuts, chocolates, cookies or sodas as well as ice creams and pizza are everything we can think of when depressed.
Sweet foods release certain opioids in our bodies and make us feel more euphoric.
Consequences of junk food
Too much of everything is bad. When you consume junk very often, it can lead to various health problems.
A Scripps Research Institute study in 2008 suggested that junk food consumption alters brain activity, just like addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin.
Apart from causing weight gain, other short-term effects of eating junk include increased fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and tooth decay. In the long term, it can cause serious problems like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and eating disorders.
These complications are all associated with a diet high in sugar, salt, trans and saturated fats and with a lack of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
You can also balance your feeding so that everything works out fine! Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time so you decide what you eat based on nutrition.
SEE: Abortions in Nigeria
Conclusion
Junk can be very addictive and we know that you need it to relax, we completely understand. But it is very important to watch the amount of junk food you consume.
