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By Maitree Choube
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Updated on 20 Aug 2025, 15:30 IST
Junk food is food that has high amount of calories and it has little nutritional value. It is generally high in fats, sugars and salts, but with a dearth of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Typical instances of junk food items are fast-food, packaged snacks, sweetened beverages and desserts.
In as much as junk food is popular because of the level of convenience and taste, substantial health hazard exists whenever junk food is taken regularly. Gradually, it may lead to the development of such diseases like obesity, heart illnesses, diabetes, etc.
The essay seeks to inform the concept of junk food, the health implication of junk food and the ways of avoiding it, particularly among students and the kids.
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Junk food can be defined as unhealthy food that contains high sugar, excess salt, and harmful fats, which makes body lazy and increase the risk of major problems like obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. Junk food should be avoided from childhood because, if consumed in large amounts, it can turn into a habit. These foods only satisfy our cravings but are very dangerous for our health.
Examples of Junk Food include:
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Junk food: is mostly processed and contains numerous additives/preservatives/artificial flavors that make it more appealing (in terms of taste and shelf life). Some of the most commonly found varieties are fast food, such as burgers, fries and pizza, sugary drinks, candies and packaged chips.
Junk food is actually so tempting only because of the way it tastes, its convenience, and the immediate gratification that comes with it. The combination of unhealthy fats, large amounts of sugar, and overuse of salt activates the brain reward system by producing a pleasure response that resembles that associated with addictive drugs. This renders people desiring and indulging into it again and again.
With the current hectic life, most people rely on the ready-to-eat and convenience food most of which can be categorized as the junk food category. Although these foods might appear to be attractive when it comes to whipping up a meal quickly, they have a way of sneaking up and enhancing the chances of obesity and diabetes, heart issues, and more chronic diseases.
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Good health is the necessity of living a healthy life for every one of us which needs to maintain a healthy diet and healthy habits throughout the life. However, the custom of eating junk food in many is increasing day by day and making our future sad and diseased especially our future generations.
Parents should be very conscious towards the eating habits of their kids and children because in the childhood they never know and decide their good or bad so it is parents who are fully responsible for the good or bad eating habits among their kids. They should train their kids about eating habits from childhood and make them clear about the differences between healthy and junk foods.
Generally, junk foods look so attractive and yummy for the people of every age group. However, it is very true that they are so coarse from inside. What they look from outside never become from inside.
Junk foods are never considered healthy to the health, they have been proved unhealthy in all ways. Junk foods are unfit to the health and one who practice to eat junk foods calls so many disorders to his/her health. It may cause heart diseases, cancer, early ageing, high blood pressure, bone problems, diabetes, mental disorders, liver disorders, digestive system problems, constipation, diarrhoea, heart attack, prostate and breast cancer, osteoporosis, and so many health disorders.
According to the research, it is found that puberty is the most sensitive age during which one should practice healthy eating habits because during this age there are many changes occur in the body to prepare one to enter to the adult age group.
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The term junk food means a food do not good to the body health in anyway. It is less nutritional and harmful to the body systems. Most of junk foods contain high level of saturated fats, sugar, salt and bad cholesterol which are toxin to the health. They become lack of dietary fibers so easily get involve in causing constipation and other digestive disorders.
What is Unhealthy Food?
Unhealthy food refers to heavily processed and refined food products. It's typically less nutritious than natural, whole foods. Unhealthy food is often linked to weight gain and can lead to significant health problems, especially in kids, including the risk of developing conditions like diabetes. Junk foods have gained so much popularity because of the nice taste and easy to cook.
There are many readymade junk foods available in the market packed in the polybags. Most of the people are depend on such readymade foods because of their busy schedule or they do not know to cook food at home.
The consumption of junk food all over the world is increasing day by day which is not good for the future. People of all age groups like to eat junk food and they generally chose to eat whenever they enjoy special time with family like birthday party, marriage anniversary, etc. They easily become used to of taking soft drinks, wafers, chips, noodles, burgers, pizza, french fries, Chinese dishes, and other varieties of fast food available in the market.
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As we all know the truth about junk foods and it needs no introduction. However, it is a most interesting question that why everyone likes to eat junk foods even after knowing its truth. Nowadays every one of us is enjoying well the taste of junk food because it is delicious, affordable and readily available. Junk foods have no nutritional value and essential ingredients required for the health.
It is very harmful to the health if consumed on regular basis. It causes a spike in body energy level and creates sleeping disorders. It reduces level of concentration and calls to chronic diseases such as obesity, hormonal imbalances, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
Junk foods become very oily and lack of dietary fibers thus they are hard to digest and require more energy to perform the process from body and make a person lack of oxygen level in the body which lead towards improper brain functioning. Junk foods are high in bad cholesterol and cause heart and liver damage. Because of lack of dietary fibers they cause strain to the stomach and other digestive organs and result in constipation.
Junk foods are always harmful to the heath and deteriorate the health condition if taken on regular basis without providing any health benefits. We should avoid eating junk foods in order to enjoy the good health and happy life all through the life.
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The word junk food speaks itself a lot and indicates its harmful nature to the health. Junk foods are trash food to the health because they are high in calorie, fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt components. Nowadays kids and teenagers are more prone to eat junk foods daily in bulk amount. They are leading their lives towards danger through their unhealthy lifestyle.
They generally eat chips, french fries, cracks, snack, chowmein, burger, pizza, pasta, and other junk foods whenever they feel hungry. No junk foods are beneficial and provide no nutritional value. It affects the health in all ways of the people of any age group, weight and health condition. Junk foods are considered as high in calories however one who eat end up easily getting exhausted and need more food frequently. Junk food does not provide appropriate level of energy thus the eater develop tendencies of craving more food frequently.
What we generally acquire from the junk foods are unhealthy fats and not healthy ingredients thus we feel lack of oxygen which causes poor brain functioning. We absorb much cholesterol from such type of foods which causes plaque formation in the arteries and creates problems for the heart to pump normal amount of blood. That’s why we feel high level fatigue.
High level of bad cholesterol destroys our liver and put more weight at the same time. According to the research, kids and children eating more junk food on daily basis are overweight and obese and highly prone to the heart and liver disorders. Such kids are more prone to become diabetic and lethargic because of high sugar collection in their body in the early ages. They get high blood pressure because of high amount of sodium mineral in the junk foods. Kids and children should be trained by their parents to follow healthy eating habits from the childhood.
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Junk foods taste good that’s why it is mostly liked by everyone of any age group especially kids and school going children. They generally ask for the junk food daily because they have been trend so by their parents from the childhood. They never have been discussed by their parents about the harmful effects of junk foods over health. According to the research by scientists, it has been found that junk foods have negative effects on the health in many ways. They are generally fried food found in the market in the packets.
They become high in calories, high in cholesterol, low in healthy nutrients, high in sodium mineral, high in sugar, starch, unhealthy fat, lack of protein and lack of dietary fibers. Processed and junk foods are the means of rapid and unhealthy weight gain and negatively impact the whole body throughout the life. It makes able a person to gain excessive weight which is called as obesity. Junk foods tastes good and looks good however do not fulfil the healthy calorie requirement of the body.
Some of the foods like french fries, fried foods, pizza, burgers, candy, soft drinks, baked goods, ice cream, cookies, etc are the example of high-sugar and high-fat containing foods. It is found according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention that Kids and children eating junk food are more prone to the type-2 diabetes. In type-2 diabetes our body become unable to regulate blood sugar level.
Risk of getting this disease is increasing as one become more obese or overweight. It increases the risk of kidney failure. Eating junk food daily will lead to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases because it is rich in saturated fat, sodium and bad cholesterol.
High sodium and bad cholesterol diet increases blood pressure and overloads the heart functioning. One who like junk food develop more risk to put on extra weight and become fatter and unhealthier. Junk foods contain high level carbohydrate which spike blood sugar level and make person more lethargic, sleepy and less active and alert. Reflexes and senses of the people eating this food become dull day by day thus they live more sedentary life.
Junk foods are the source of constipation and other disease like diabetes, heart ailments, clogged arteries, heart attack, strokes, etc because of being poor in nutrition.
There are many reasons responsible for consuming Junk Food some are discussed below:
One of the most direct consequences of consuming junk food is weight gain. Junk food is high in calories but low in nutritional value, meaning that it contributes to an excessive caloric intake.
When these calories are not burned off through physical activity, they are stored as fat in the body, leading to weight gain and eventually obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It is especially dangerous for children and adolescents, as it sets the foundation for a lifetime of health problems.
The effects of junk food are not limited to physical health; they can also affect mental well-being. Diets high in sugar and fat have been linked to mood swings, irritability, and poor mental health. Studies suggest that excessive consumption of junk food can contribute to the development of conditions like depression and anxiety.
Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that poor diet can impair cognitive function, making it harder to focus, learn, and retain information. This is particularly concerning for students who are still in their developmental years.
Consuming junk food regularly increases the risk of developing several chronic diseases. Some of the most common include:
Students are particularly vulnerable to the effects of junk food consumption due to their growing bodies and minds. While junk food may fill up the stomach, it provides little in the way of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. As a result, students may experience nutrient deficiencies, which can impair their overall health and development. For example, a lack of essential nutrients like calcium and iron can affect bone health and cognitive function. Students who frequently consume junk food may also be at a higher risk of developing conditions such as anemia or weakened immune systems.
Junk food can also have a direct impact on a student’s ability to learn and concentrate. Diets high in sugar and unhealthy fats have been linked to reduced attention spans and poor cognitive performance. The fluctuations in blood sugar caused by sugary foods can lead to energy crashes, making it harder for students to focus on their studies. In the classroom, students who consume junk food regularly may struggle with memory retention, problem-solving, and overall academic performance. This can lead to poor grades and a lack of motivation.
One of the best ways to avoid junk food is by incorporating healthier alternatives into the diet. Here are some nutritious substitutes for common junk foods:
By making these simple swaps, students can significantly improve their health while still enjoying delicious snacks and meals.
Adopting better eating habits can help reduce the consumption of junk food. Some helpful tips include:
Junk food is convenient and delicious but its adverse effect on the body is real. Weight gain and obesity being a significant problem and going so far as developing chronic disease and mental problems, the impact of eating junk food has serious long-term side effects.
One should make healthier decisions and minimize the consumption of junk food, especially among children and students who are still in the process of development. We all can change our habits towards healthier eating and avoid junk food-related negative outcomes by incorporating more nutritious alternatives.
Eating too much junk food can cause health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also harm your dental health, lead to digestive issues, and affect your energy levels negatively.
Healthy food contains essential nutrients, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Junk food, on the other hand, is highly processed and offers little nutritional value. It's often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
To write a essay on junk food, begin with an introduction explaining what junk food is. What is the difference between healthy and Junk Food. Then discuss its impact on health, including obesity and related diseases. Conclude with suggestions for a balanced diet.
10 Unhealthy Foods include processed meats, sugary drinks, fried foods, fast food, chips, baked goods, toffee, sweets, alcohol, and instant noodles