Healthy Food Vs Junk Food is often a difficult topic to discuss, especially when there are not many healthy options on the menu and you’re extremely hungry. Thanks to the increase in fast food availability, healthy foods are not always the first available option to choose from. A few years ago, all we knew were fruits and vegetables. Well 1000 years ago to be exact. There were no fast food restaurants, we use to hunt animals, plant crops, and avoid being eaten by dragons and dinosaurs. Now, you can lay in your bed and order your food and have it delivered to your doorstep. Fun right? Not having to hunt and plant crops. Think about it.
However, a lot of things have changed over the years and we now face a difficult decision trying to choose between Healthy food and junk food. When choosing between healthy food and junk food, many times, junk food has won the race. The winner among the junk foods? That would be foods very high in sugar.
What is the difference between Healthy Food Vs Junk Food?
Healthy foods are packed with essential nutrients to help the body perform its daily functions, boost the immune to protect against diseases and viruses, and likewise maintain weight. Healthy foods also contribute to regulating blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels, also remove bad toxins and waste materials from the body. These foods help speed up your metabolism to burn fats naturally preventing weight gain and obesity. An example of a healthy food would be a mixed salad, with a mixture of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Healthy foods are balanced. It contains all nutrients, vitamins, etc in proper proportions. They come mainly from organic sources unprocessed and free from harmful chemicals. Junk foods are mainly those foods that will have adverse effects on your body in the long run.
On the contrary, Junk foods, or what we all know as fast foods are typically empty calories that contribute little to no essential nutrients to the body. Take Fried chicken and chips for example. One might think they’re consuming veggies in the form of potatoes, deep-fried with fruits in the form of ketchup, and protein as deep-fried chicken. This American diet is a significant contributor to high cholesterol, weight gain, heart disease, obesity, and cancer when consumed consistently over long periods. It is important to understand why we eat food. We consume food to provide our bodies with energy and nutrients to perform their daily functions. Some of us, unfortunately, are eating to kill ourselves when we make bad diet decisions. Junk foods are high in fats, calories, and sugars which are unhealthy for the body. They are associated with diseases like diabetes, heart problems, and obesity to name a few. Over the past few years, junk food has been consumed in high amounts regularly in all parts of the world. The consequences of junk foods will be terrible even if you consume them daily, twice, or thrice a week. There are many reasons why you should choose healthy food over junk food.
How does Healthy food vs Junk food Impact our Health?
Junk food which is rich in negative calories and fats is much tastier and easier to prepare as compared to the healthier options. These foods do not contain vital nutrients which are required for good health. Moreover, hydrogenated fats, artificial sweeteners, highly refined sugars, saturated fats, etc make junk foods a very unhealthy eating option.
When we eat junk food, we feel satisfied. But we are not aware of how much it affects our health in the long run.
- It is the main cause of Obesity
- They lack essential nutrients, vitamins, and, minerals putting your health at risk
- It may lead to depression
- It causes digestive problems
- Causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
- Affects Brain Function
- Increases the risk of heart diseases
- It can damage your liver
- Causes Type 2 Diabetes
- It increases the risk of Cancer
Now, on the other hand, Healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, etc contain essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required by the body to stay healthy. Not only will your body, even your mind and soul feel healthy. Healthy food increases immunity and reduces the risk of health problems. Healthy Food gives nutrients and maintains our health. It includes protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals, which give us energy. At this point, there isn’t much deciding between healthy food vs junk food.
- It helps to prevent some types of cancer
- It helps to reduce the risk of heart disease
- As healthy foods are low in calories, your daily calorie intake will be in check
- It reduces the risk of obesity as well as type 2 diabetes
- It helps you to maintain normal blood pressure and also reduces the risk of kidney stones
When deciding between Healthy food vs junk food, select the option which nurtures your body. Always remember, Junk food excites the tongue! What we eat daily in our diet will affect our growth, health, behavior, and mind.
Not that you can’t treat yourself now and then. The idea is to choose the best option consistently when it comes to healthy food vs junk food. Eat healthy, stay away from junk food, do exercise, and staying fit should be the priority in your life.