What is Junk Food

The term “junk food” is used to describe food which is low in nutritional value, with a comparatively high caloric value.

 

Nutritionists, doctors, and other health advocates often work to educate people about junk food, encouraging them to eat well balanced diets which contain a high proportion of healthy foods.

This term was coined in 1972 by advocates at the Center for Science in the Public Interest who wanted to raise public attention about the issue of foods with a high caloric value and a low nutritional value.

Foods which fall under the umbrella of “junk food” vary, depending on a number of factors. Snack foods like chips, candies, and so forth are generally universally agreed upon as junk food, and some people also lump fast food like hamburgers, pizza, and fries into the junk food category.

As a general rule, no matter what one classifies as junk food, such foods are perfectly safe to eat, as long as they are integrated into a well balanced diet. There's nothing wrong with having some potato chips now and then, but consuming a diet based primarily on junk food is a cause for concern. Because junk food often lacks useful vitamins and minerals, people who eat an exclusive diet of junk food may suffer from nutritional deficiencies which could cause health problems.

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