Why We Consider Junk Food an Unhealthy Food

“Why we consider junk food an unhealthy food and why it is called junk Aunt Midas?” my niece asked me yesterday afternoon while we are buying some stuff at the supermarket. I simply answered her that junk foods are bad foods especially those that are preserved, they are not good for the body. Junk food is an unhealthy food, not fit for eating. But she insisted that there are healthy junk foods too because of some nutritional value you could find on its packs that is why eating junk foods is fine. She made me smile that time, yes, all foods have some value but it does not mean that it has a little nutritional value you could categorize it as healthy or nutritious food. I explained to her that junk foods effects, could not be seen immediately, that it takes time before she could see its bad effects.

Why we categorize junk foods as unhealthy foods? Not just because of its low nutritional value that it was called unhealthy food but because of junk foods effects, the hazards it could cause to one’s health. Junk foods are usually high in fats. As we could see on the back label of a junk food, the fats they mostly use are hydrogenated oils, the common term for trans fatty acids or trans fats (could cause cancer). Manufacturers hydrogenate the healthy unsaturated fats so that it will last long. Unfortunately, hydrogenation causes the healthy unsaturated fats to become unhealthy saturated fats which could result to clogged arteries and heart problems. That is just one reason why eating junk foods is not advisable.

And what are some of the junk food effects why junk foods were called an unhealthy foods? High level of salt in a junk food could cause hypertension and, or kidney problems because of its sodium content. If it is a sweet junk food, too much sugar could not only ruin the teeth but could cause obesity and diabetes in the long run. Other junk foods uses aspartame or saccharin as sweetener. These  sweeteners has been linked with other health problems including certain cancers in laboratory animals. Have you seen monosodium glutamate (MSG) listed on the junk food content? This additive is flavor enhancer, as we all know it has bad reputation and been controversial that it could cause cancer. Antioxidants such as Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and  Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) that are widely use in oils of junk food has been linked with certain cancers in laboratory animals too. Now, tell me, is eating junk foods good for the health? Is there such thing as healthy junk foods or you will consider junk foods now as a group of bad foods? Yes, junk food may contain low nutritional value but junk foods effects are so hazardous to ones health.

Television advertising, greatly affects child’s desire for food, especially on unhealthy foods like junk food. Relatives and friends that gives food to the children is another great factor that influences the child’s choice of food. Parents, just bear in mind that your influence in choosing the right food for your kids is still the greatest influence of all. Though it is a little bit difficult to have complete control over what your children are taking in (especially when they are with friends or relatives) but you can and should control the foods that are available at your home. If junk food or any high sugar, high fat, high salt, low nutrient and preserved foods are not available at your home, the child would be force to eat the nutritious food available. So, the best thing is do not keep foods that you do not want your child to consume, those you consider unhealthy foods for your family like junk food.

Children Eating Habit

let your child assist you in the kitchen

Your children eating habit depends on you. Your child’s good eating habit start in your own home. So, parents has great responsibility on the sense of taste of their kids because ‘acquired’ health problems like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol level, heart problems, etc. does not just affect the individual because of his or her bad eating habit in a week. Most of it started when they were young children. Their appetite for salty, sweet, fatty and preserved foods rooted when they were still young that was carried over to their adulthood. These bad eating habits usually precipitates resulting to ‘acquired’ diseases that most people are suffering nowadays. Can you afford your child to suffer such diseases someday because you have not trained your kids taste buds while they were still young?

Here are some tips that might help you train your kids taste buds for them to have good eating habit:

Parents, children eating habit is in your hands because children loves to copy what the adults are doing. As the old rhyme says, “Monkey see, monkey do.” Parents, please set yourself as a good example to your child. Share meals with your child with the same dishes for him or her to copy your own eating habits. Meal time is a good bonding time.

Discourage your child appetite for junk foods. Increase kids appetite for good food by having plenty of supply of healthy foods such as fruits, raw carrots or cheese, which your child can eat in between meals instead of junk foods and other preserved or refined foods.

Children eating habit is so important. Allow your child to follow their natural choice in deciding ‘how much’ to eat. However, you should be followed on ‘what’ to eat and not their taste buds or appetite, for most of young children has appetite for their favorite foods only. This will encourage them to have a healthy appetite on good food.

At his or her early age, increase kids appetite on fruits and vegetables by giving them different varieties. Aim for five portions a day for them to enjoy enough nutrients and phytochemicals from what they ate.

Invite your child to prepare your meal. Encourage your child to help out with simple task in the kitchen such as measuring, stirring, taste the food and arranging foods in plate. This activity help kids to love the food you are preparing for them. This will stimulate kids sense of taste.

Do not encourage sweet tooth. Children eating habit especially on love of sweet food may lead to acquired diabetes. The chance for your child not to crave for sweet foods is high if you will not add unnecessary sugar to drinks and foods. As much as possible do not allow them to taste the food that are too sweet.

Same thing with salt, the chance for your child not to crave for salty foods is high if you will not add extra salt by sprinkling it over the food. Remember that kids taste buds can be trained.

Always provide whole milk to your child if he or she is under fives. Kids need the energy provided by the extra calories in whole milk that cannot be found in a skimmed milk.

Do not give food like whole nuts to your child under four years old that may cause choking. Grind those foods if you want your child to avail its nutrition value. And, make sure that your child is not allergic to nuts.

Children eating habit is really essential so, educate your child on the importance of healthy eating while your child is young, for him or her to know and love what he or she is doing, having a healthy appetite and good taste on good food. And, for your child to practice a good eating habit that can be carried on to his or her adulthood.