Junk food lovers, here are some reasons for you to Ditch them.....

Junk food items are sold everywhere these days starting from the food court in malls, theaters and airports to the local vendors in the street. We find them appealing because they are delicious, affordable and readily available. But it is no secret that these foods bring with them a host of health problems.

Harmful components in junk foods

Bleached/enriched flour: Bleach flour is a powdered form of crushed cereal crops and seeds. It has bleaching agents added to it so that it looks white instead of yellow. It is usually added to wraps, rolls and burgers. Enriched flour is so refined that it can cause diabetes.

Coloring/food dyes: These are mainly used in processed foods and soft drinks. Many popular candies, pickles and chips contain these colouring agents. These colouring agents can lead to allergic reactions in a person’s body.

Partially hydrogenated oils: Processed foods and restaurant fried foods contain trans fats .These oils do not complete the process of hydrogenation. They are very high in trans fat which increase bad cholesterol. Consumption of too much trans fat over time can lead to heart disease.

Aspartame: It is one of the many substitutes for sugar. It is mostly used in products labelled ‘diet’ including soft drinks. Aspartame consumption has been linked to conditions such as dizziness, muscle aches and episodes of high blood pressure. Excessive consumption of aspartame can also interfere with eating and sleeping pattern.

Junk food is any food that provides too much fat and calories and not enough nutrients. Here are the calorie counts of common junk food items:

• Classic vegetarian pizza: 2 slices = 213.3 cal
• Chicken supreme pizza: 1 slice = 128 cal
• Vegetable burger: 1 piece = 299.4 cal
• Chicken burger: 1 piece = 237.6 cal
• Fried chicken: 1 piece = 145.2 cal
• Samosa: 1 piece = 245.9 cal
• Vada pav: 1 piece = 286.4 cal
• Pani puri: 6 pieces = 166.4 cal
• Chicken spring roll: 1 piece = 430.2 cal
• Potato chips: 20 pieces = 163 cal
• Coke float, Mc Donalds: 1 regular serving  = 140 cal
• French fries, KFC:  1 regular serving = 216 cal
• Doughnut: 1 piece = 250.2 cal

The Consequences(Health implications) of eating too much junk food:

Weight gain: Junk food is high in saturated fats and cholesterol leading to obesity and weight gain. The excess sodium found in most processed foods can raise blood pressure and increase chances of developing heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes: The refined flour and added sugar in junk foods cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels leading to diabetes.

Nutritional deficiencies: You may suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you consume too much junk food. Junk foods often lack protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, C, and D, potassium, zinc and monounsaturated fats. A deficiency in any of these nutrients affects the immune system making one more prone to infections and allergies.