Low fat, gluten-free, bromate-free, keto-friendly – these are just a few of the phrases that adorn the packaging of junk foods. They mislead you into believing these foods are good for you or safe. These phrases entice you into buying and once you buy, you gain a host of health problems that accompany eating them. To make matters worse, these ultra-processed foods are cheap, attractive, delicious, readily available, and addictive and can harm you long-term.
The carbonated drinks, yogurts, and baked foods that fill your refrigerator, the instant noodles that constantly make it into your lunch box, the protein and chocolate bar you easily grab when getting late for work, and even the burger and chips that have become your go-to party snack are few examples of the junks you consume that are unhealthy for you.
Despite the regular warnings and campaigns against the consumption of junk foods, these foods are still everywhere. Their adverts are constant sights as they are on billboards, at several sports events, in movies and TV shows, inside bars and clubs, and in country after country. Because they are readily available, many still easily buy and eat them to the detriment of their health.
Admittedly, not everyone who eats junk food is aware of its health dangers. Many do not know that an international team of researchers has directly linked junk foods to 32 deadly diseases using millions of people of different ages, genders, and health conditions as test subjects. Do not be misled by the low fat, low sugar phrases written on the packaging of junk foods.
Virtually, all junk foods are high in added sugar, fat, and salt, the culprits behind numerous health issues. Unfortunately, they are also low in vitamins, fiber, and other important nutrients the body needs. They increase the risk of all kinds of problems including obesity by 66%, cardiovascular disease by 50%, Type 2 diabetes by 12%, and mental disorders by 53%. They have also been linked to asthma and cancer—but the government and junk food companies won’t tell you all this, at least not directly.
And even if they do, Americans love their pizzas and burgers, so why should they heed any warnings?
Some people have suggested packaging junk foods with labels that carry mandatory, hard-hitting, cigarette-style warnings. While this deserves a thumbs up and may work to some extent, some important questions are: How far can we go with warning labels? How many people read product labels, let alone trust product labels? How would profit-hungry manufacturers globally take this suggestion?
By the way, if dishing stern warnings through product labels alone were really effective, tobacco use should not be a major health issue anymore now; unfortunately, that is not the case in several countries, even in America.
Besides, the junk food addiction pandemic isn’t just about a lack of information about its dangers. It’s influenced by several factors, which explains why many still resort to eating junk foods despite the constant spread of news of their health dangers.
Let’s be sincere. Many of us cannot deny knowing that our diet significantly affects our health. In fact, most of us know that the recommendations for a balanced daily diet suggest having moderate fats and oils, cereals, and either milk or curd daily, eating plenty of vegetables, and incorporating other rich sources of nutrients, including 100 grams of fruits, along with a fair amount of eggs, meat, nuts, and seeds.
However, how do we expect a tired commuter, hungry office worker, busy mom, or stressed student to readily come up with a balanced diet when a burger can easily quench their hunger and save them from the consequences of low blood sugar levels? Even people with the money to make healthy foods available to them 24/7 opt for junk foods, so no one should expect that, without adopting a multi-pronged approach, merely saying junk foods are bad for one’s health would dissuade anyone from eating them.
To effectively tackle unhealthy eating habits, rather than attempting to dictate personal choices outright, the government needs to impose more stringent restrictions on junk foods while passionately promoting the availability and affordability of fresh produce and healthier options in communities to help change individual behaviors to junk foods.
Doing this would significantly reduce the amount of influence economic factors have on people’s dietary decisions because if healthy foods become cheaper, even the poor will afford them.
We must, however, complement every step taken to reduce the consumption of junk foods with educational campaigns that highlight the hidden dangers of junk foods and emphasize the importance of healthy nutritional choices. Ultimately, only a collaborative effort to regulate junk foods and make healthy foods affordable will pave the way to healthier lifestyles for everyone.
Yetunde is smart, kind, and has a lovable personality. A constant learner with an impressive work ethic and terrific creative skills. She is devoted to personal and spiritual growth and she cherishes the company of people, books, and nature.
