Junk food is also known as discretionary food or optional food. Some examples of junk food include: cakes and biscuits fast foods (such as hot chips, burgers and pizzas)
- cakes and biscuits.
- fast foods (such as hot chips, burgers and pizzas)
- chocolate and sweets.
- processed meat (such as bacon)
- snacks (such as chips)
- sugary drinks (such as sports, energy and soft drinks)
- alcoholic drinks.
What foods are considered junk food?
These include:
- soybean oil
- corn oil
- sunflower oil
- products made with these oils, including many processed, prepackaged foods
What are some examples of junk food?
Junk food is defined as any unhealthy food with a high content of fat and sugar-rich in calories lacking or having very little nutritional value. Some examples of junk food are French fries, burgers, noodles, wafers, cookies, chips, colas, any packet as well as Processed food.
What are the types of junk food?
The most unhealthiest junk foods that can cause extreme harm to your body are:
- Acidified Soda often loaded with HFCS or artificial sweeteners. ...
- Fried Chicken, loaded with large amount of calories, salts and other chemicals. ...
- Egg and Sausage Sandwich, unhealthy for breakfast. ...
- Bacon Cheese Burger, loaded with fat, calories, and cholesterol.
- French Fries, fried in rancid oil, salty and full of fat.
Which junk foods are least unhealthy?
The Least Unhealthy Junk Foods splurges
- These are as Good as It Gets with junk foods. First, what is the Least Unhealthy Junk Foods? ...
- Tortilla Chips. Tortilla chips tend to have less fat and calories per ounce than potato chips. ...
- Dark Chocolate. When that chocolate craving hits, reach for dark chocolate. ...
- Salsa. Chips and salsa have become ubiquitous since the 1980s. ...
- Beef Jerky. ...
- Pretzel M&M’s. ...

What are 10 junk foods?
Big Mac.Coca-Cola.Twinkies.Oreos.Pop Tarts.Pizza Hut Pizza.KFC Fried Chicken.M&M's.More items...•
What are the names of junk food?
Here's my list of the unhealthiest fast food items and substitutions you can make.Soda. ... Fried chicken. ... Egg and sausage sandwich. ... Bacon cheeseburger. ... French fries. ... Milk shake. ... Deep fried cheese sticks. ... Fish and chips.More items...•
Which is the junk food?
Junk food describes food and drinks low in nutrients (e.g. vitamins, minerals and fibre) and high in kilojoules, saturated fat, added sugar and/or added salt. Eating too much junk food is linked to serious health problems. Junk foods are not a necessary part of any diet.
What is the most eaten junk food?
Most popular food types Well, bad news hamburger, because in case you hadn't guessed, pizza is America's undisputed favorite junk food. With an average of 2,240,000 searches every month, it gets more than double the number of searches than its nearest rival.
Is Maggi a junk food?
Here are some foods mentioned which many of us might consider healthy but actually are unhealthy foods. 1. Instant noodles Maggi/ noodles hardly take any time to cook and taste good but all you are adding to your body is refined flour.
What is junk food in India?
List of Most Popular Indian Junk Food:Pani puri.White bread.Puri.Bhature (minus the chole).Pakoras.Samosas/kachoris.Potato chips.Pav.More items...•
What is junk food essay?
The term 'junk food' itself says a lot about this food. It indicates how it is harmful to our health. Furthermore, junk foods are basically trash which harms our bodies in different ways. They have high levels of cholesterol, sugar, calories and more.
What is junk food snacks?
Some common examples of junk foods include sodas and snack foods, such as potato chips, crackers and candy. Popular fast-food items, like hamburgers and French fries, are also often lumped into the category of junk foods because they often contain lots of calories but not many nutrients.
What is junk food and fast food?
Fast Food and Junk Food: Definitions Fast food is a type of food you get from a restaurant designed to deliver the order in the quickest possible way. Junk food is food with extremely low nutritional value, sometimes called rich in 'empty calories'.
What are healthy junk foods?
17 healthy versions of your favorite junk foods that are actually worth buyingMAC & CHEESE: Banza. ... CHIPS: Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips. ... BREAD: Dave's Killer Bread. ... CHEESE DOODLES: Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar. ... ICE CREAM: Yasso Greek Yogurt Pops. ... LOLLIPOPS: Yum Earth Organic Pops. ... BEEF JERKY: Biltong Beef Jerky.More items...•
Is pizza a junk food?
Americans eat an average of 46 slices of pizza per person each year, according to MayoClinic.com. While pizza can be healthy if you make it the right way, most of the pizza you buy counts as junk food because of the high amount of refined carbohydrates, fat and sodium it contains.
What are the top 10 snack foods?
The 99 Best Snacks Of All Time1 - Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. This snack is number one for a reason. ... 2 - Milky Way. Milky Way is one of the best snacks you can have because it's full of the delicious taste of caramel and chocolate. ... 3 - Butterfinger. ... 4 - 100 Grand. ... 5 - Whatchamacallit. ... 6 - Twix. ... 7 - 3 Musketeers. ... 8 - PayDay.More items...
What is junk food?
'Junk foods' are foods that lack nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and are high in kilojoules (energy), salts, sugars, and fats. Junk food is so ca...
How do I make healthy food choices?
It's important to understand the nutritional value of the food you are buying. You can do this by reading the nutrition panel found on the back of...
Can I include a small amount of junk food in a healthy diet?
Yes, in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines, a small amount of junk or discretionary food can be included in a healthy, balanced diet. This...
How can I reduce the amount of junk food I eat?
While it can be challenging to reduce the amount of junk food you eat, you don't necessarily have to give up on all your favourite foods. Here are...
Why is junk food so appealing?
While we may feel that we enjoy junk food just because it tastes so good, there is a scientific explanation for why we want to have more of it. Our...
Does eating junk food cause health complications?
Eating an excessive amount of junk food can have a negative effect on your general health and wellbeing and can also reduce your ability to be acti...
What are some examples of junk food?
Junk food is also known as discretionary food or optional food. Some examples of junk food include: cakes and biscuits. fast foods (such as hot chips, burgers and pizzas) chocolate and sweets. processed meat (such as bacon) snacks (such as chips) sugary drinks (such as sports, energy and soft drinks) alcoholic drinks.
What is junk food?
'Junk foods' are foods that lack nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and are high in kilojoules (energy), salts, sugars, and fats. Junk food is so called because it doesn’t play a role in healthy eating, especially if it's eaten to excess. Junk food is also known as discretionary food or optional food.
How do I make healthy food choices?
You can do this by reading the nutrition panel found on the back of all packaged items in Australia. Food labels can tell you things like the amount of energy ( kilojoules ), protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, fibre and sodium in each product as well as the recommended serving size.
Why is junk food so appealing?
While we may feel that we enjoy junk food just because it tastes so good, there is a scientific explanation for why we want to have more of it. Our brain encourages us to seek experiences that we find pleasurable, including eating tasty food. This encouragement from our brain is known as the ‘reward’ system.
What are the effects of eating junk food?
Eating an excessive amount of junk food can have a negative effect on your general health and wellbeing and can also reduce your ability to be active. As well as causing you to gain weight, the other short-term effects of eating junk food include: increased stress levels. fatigue. difficulty sleeping.
Is muesli a junk food?
The product may also contain salt or fat and may be high in kilojoules, so even sugar free products can be junk foods. Note also that products known as ‘health foods’ such as some fruit juices and muesli bars can actually be junk food if they contain high levels of sugar, salt or fat.
Is fast food considered junk food?
A: Yes, fast food is always classified as junk food, due to the high saturated fat and salt content in these foods.
When was junk food invented?
The term junk food dates back at least to the early 1950s, although its coinage has been credited to Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972. In 1952, the phrase appeared in a headline in the Lima, Ohio, News, "'Junk Foods' Cause Serious Malnutrition", over a reprint of a 1948 article from the Ogden, Utah, Standard-Examiner, originally titled, "Dr. Brady’s Health Column: More Junk Than Food". In the article, Dr. Brady writes, "What Mrs. H calls 'junk' I call cheat food. That is anything made principally of (1) white flour and or (2) refined white sugar or syrup. For example, white bread, crackers, cake, candy, ice cream soda, chocolate malted, sundaes, sweetened carbonated beverages ." The term cheat food can be traced back in newspaper mentions to at least 1916.
Why do poor people eat junk food?
It is well-established that the poor eat more junk food overall than the more affluent, but the reasons for this are not clear. Few studies have focused on variations in food perception according to socio-economic status (SES); some studies that have differentiated based on SES suggest that the economically challenged don't perceive healthy food much differently than any other segment of the population. Recent research into scarcity, combining behavioral science and economics, suggests that, faced with extreme economic uncertainty, where even the next meal may not be a sure thing, judgment is impaired and the drive is to the instant gratification of junk food, rather than to making the necessary investment in the longer-term benefits of a healthier diet.
How does junk food affect health?
When junk food is consumed very often, the excess fat, simple carbohydrates, and processed sugar found in junk food contributes to an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and many other chronic health conditions. A case study on consumption of fast foods in Ghana suggested a direct correlation between consumption of junk food and obesity rates. The report asserts that obesity resulted in related complex health concerns such as an upsurge in the rate of heart attacks. Studies reveal that as early as the age of 30, arteries could begin clogging and lay the groundwork for future heart attacks. Consumers also tend to eat too much in one sitting, and those who have satisfied their appetite with junk food are less likely to eat healthy foods like fruit or vegetables.
How much is junk food sold in the US?
In the US, annual fast food sales are in the area of $160 billion, compared to supermarket sales of $620 billion (a figure which also includes junk food in the form of convenience foods, snack foods, and candy).
How many food and drink days are there in the US?
Origins are unclear; it is one of around 175 US food and drink days, most created by "people who want to sell more food", at times aided by elected officials at the request of a trade association or commodity group. "In honor of the day," Time in 2014 published, "5 Crazy Junk Food Combinations".
What is cheat food?
That is anything made principally of (1) white flour and or (2) refined white sugar or syrup. For example, white bread, crackers, cake, candy, ice cream soda, chocolate malted, sundaes, sweetened carbonated beverages .". The term cheat food can be traced back in newspaper mentions to at least 1916.
When was Cracker Jack invented?
Cracker Jack, the candy-coated popcorn-and-peanuts confection, is credited as the first popular name-brand junk food; it was created in Chicago, registered in 1896, and became the best-selling candy in the world 20 years later.
Is soft drink bad for you?
They normally contain additives, gas, sugars and acids, substances which are of no nutritional interest and which in the best of cases do not contribute anything. However, each and every one of these ingredients has potential health hazards, so soft drinks are a type of junk food (even if they are drinks).
Is ice cream a food product?
Ice cream is a type of food product that you have to pay attention to. . In the same way as eating a quality croissant from time to time, it is possible to eat an artisan ice cream made with good products as well. However, the most consumed are those produced industrially and that contain sugars, creams, additives and other ingredients very unrecommendable, which makes them junk food.
Is natural juice bad for you?
Natural juices are not bad if they are not abused, but those containing sugar are.. Many people don’t know how much added sugar is in juices sold in bricks; sometimes they have more water and sugar than real juice. For this reason it is ideal to drink natural juices, without forgetting that they can not be abused equally. Drinking a lot without natural food fiber is not good.
Is fast food bad?
“Fast food means fast food, and as such it doesn’t 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 so on. The reason is not only the low quality of the product, but they are composed of ingredients that cannot be abused, such as red meat or flour.
Is precooked food bad for you?
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. The types of food products that contain many ingredients and that are put in the microwave or oven and are ready are very unrecommendable. It’s all about junk food.
What is junk food?
Junk foods are processed foods consisting of high calories, but that is considered only as a broad umbrella. These foods are prepared in a way that they look appealing and are enjoyable so you are chemically programmed to ask for more.
Why is junk food bad for you?
Junk foods are processed foods consisting of high calories Why are junk foods bad for you? Frequent consumption of junk food increases the intake of excess fat, simple carbohydrates, and processed sugar which may lead to a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases among other chronic health problems. The resulting obesity may begin clogging up the arteries and lay the basis of an impending heart attack. It has also been suggested that eating junk food affects the brain in the same way as consuming addictive drugs. An addiction to junk food may even result in rejection of healthier food options like fruits, vegetables, salads etc. leading to further lack of nourishment. How should you really avoid junk food? According to Dr. Sharma, the red flags that you should look out for and avoid bringing home include trans-fats, refined grains, salt and high fructose corn syrup. Avoid foods that say corn sweetener, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, partially hydrogenated, fractionated, or hydrogenated on their label.
What are the symptoms of quitting junk food?
If you are someone who is accustomed to daily doses of junk, then quitting may not be way. The first few days could be tough as you may experience some of these symptoms: irritability, headaches, dip in energy levels and so on. An occasional treat never hurts, what you have to look out against is consistent consumption of junk foods, especially at the cost of healthy nutrition.
Does junk food affect the brain?
It has also been suggested that eating junk food affects the brain in the same way as consuming addictive drugs. An addiction to junk food may even result in rejection of healthier food options like fruits, vegetables, salads etc. leading to further lack of nourishment.
Is salad a fast food?
Though not all fast foods are junk foods, but a great number of them are. For instance, a salad may be fast food, but is definitely not junk food. Some foods like burgers, pizzas, and tacos may alternate between junk and healthy categories depending on the ingredients, calories and process of manufacturing.".
Is junk food calorie dense?
Calorie dense junk food does look mouthwatering. Ideally, junk foods are defined as processed foods. We often confuse fast foods with junk foods. Picture this: a plate of hot French fries and a huge burger with hot cheese oozing out of it, and a large serving of any aerated drink; looks like a treat! This calorie dense junk food does look ...
What are some facts about junk food?
Here are some facts you may not know about eating junk food. First, these types of food taste delicious but do not actually fill you up (again, empty calories). This combination of flavor and empty calories tricks you into eating too much. Instead of eating a handful of yummy potato chips, you eat half the bag.
What happens if you eat junk food?
Eating junk food when you're young can set the stage for health problems later in life. Junk food is usually highly processed foods like chips, cookies and soda. It tastes good but has little or no nutritional value, also known as empty calories, or energy units.
Why do we eat food?
More importantly, we need food to fuel our bodies. We must get nutrients from the food we eat in order to live and grow. Many foods provide us with the healthy proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Fruits, vegetables, healthy grains and dairy are all great examples of nutrient-rich healthy food.
Can you eat half a bag of chips?
Instead of eating a handful of yummy potato chips, you eat half the bag. Then, since the bag is almost gone, you run out and buy more. Soda and chips are empty calories. In addition, when you are loading up on cookies and crackers, you could instead be eating apples or yogurt.
Is junk food bad for you?
Side Effects of Junk Food. We have already pointed out many of the problems with junk food, but there are also some serious health risks. Eating excessive amounts of sugar found in soda and cookies can cause weight gain, obesity and even diabetes, a disease that affects the body's use of glucose (sugar).

Overview
Definitions
In Andrew F. Smith's Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food, junk food is defined as "those commercial products, including candy, bakery goods, ice cream, salty snacks and soft drinks, which have little or no nutritional value but do have plenty of calories, salt, and fats. While not all fast foods are junk foods, many of them are. Fast foods are ready-to-eat foods served promptly after ordering. So…
Etymology
The term junk food dates back at least to the early 1950s, although its coinage has been credited to Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972. In 1952, the phrase appeared in a headline in the Lima, Ohio, News, "'Junk Foods' Cause Serious Malnutrition", over a reprint of a 1948 article from the Ogden, Utah, Standard-Examiner, originally titled, "Dr. Brady’s Health Column: More Junk Than Food". In the article, Dr. Brady writes, "What Mrs. H calls 'junk' I …
History
According to an article in the New York Times, "Let Us Now Praise the Great Men of Junk Food", "The history of junk food is a largely American tale: It has been around for hundreds of years, in many parts of the world, but no one has done a better job inventing so many varieties of it, branding it, mass-producing it, making people rich off it and, of course, eating it." Cracker Jack, the candy-coated popcorn-and-peanuts confection, is credited as the first popular name-brand junk f…
Popularity and appeal
Junk food in its various forms is extremely popular, and an integral part of modern popular culture. In the US, annual fast food sales are in the area of $160 billion, compared to supermarket sales of $620 billion (a figure which also includes junk food in the form of convenience foods, snack foods, and candy). In 1976, "Junk Food Junkie", a US top 10 pop song, described a junk food addict who pretends to follow a healthy diet by day, while at night gorges on Hostess Twinkies and
Health effects
When junk food is consumed very often, the excess fat, simple carbohydrates, and processed sugar found in junk food contributes to an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and many other chronic health conditions. A case study on consumption of fast foods in Ghana suggested a direct correlation between consumption of junk food and obesity rates. The report asserts that obesity resulted in related complex health concerns such as an upsurge in the rate …
Anti-junk food measures
A number of countries have taken, or are considering, various forms of legislative action to curb junk food consumption. In 2014, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Anand Grover, released his report, "Unhealthy foods, non-communicable diseases and the right to health", and called for governments to "take measures, such as developing food and nutrition guideli…
See also
• Obesity
• Comfort food
• Dude food
• Glutamic acid (flavor), common flavoring compounds and their synthetic versions, which may be added to some processed foods, to boost their savoriness