"Junk” food is the term coined for food which has no nutritional value and is high in calories and also poses health hazards.

This term was first used by Michael Jacobson in 1972 and has been in usage since then. "Junk”, literally means garbage and now researchers have started realizing that this type of food is as useless as junk.

Over the past few decades, along with development, there has also been increase in the use of junk food, all over the world.

Before, in olden times, meals were something sacred. The lady of the house would put her best efforts in preparing a tasty and   nutritionally good meal for the family. Every meal eaten was freshly prepared.  The whole family would sit together and relish the meal.

But now the scenario has changed completely. With more women joining the work force, nobody has the time to prepare a fresh whole meal. Tastes of children and youngsters have also changed. Burgers and fries, instant ready to eat noodles and puddings, have become favorite meals for children. Elders also like eat this stuff   because of the convenience involved.

But now scientists and researchers have started realizing the health hazards of these fast foods. It is not few individuals but people as whole who are suffering from adverse health due to junk food.

Junk or fast food is tasty, does not need many efforts in preparation and has a good shelf life due to the preservatives.  Because of these properties   it also becomes hazardous for one’s health.

The good taste of junk food comes from hydrogenated fats. These fats lead to obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart diseases. White sugar used in most of the fast foods, is a source of obesity and diabetes and has no nutritional value whatsoever. Apart from this it is damaging to the teeth.

Artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame are implicated to be producing cancer.

Monosodium glutamate(MSG), used in ready to eat instant foods is a very controversial chemical and is known to be producing cancer. Butylated hydroxyl toluene(BHT) and BHA(Butylated hydroxyanisole), have also been proved to be carcinogenic in experimental animals and these 2 chemicals are also widely used in fast foods.

The wide range of chemicals used as food preservatives, additives, flavouring and chemical agents are a source of allergy for susceptible people. There is increase in prevalence of bronchial asthma and related allergic disorders in developed countries, where there is an increased consumption of this kind of food.

Now it has been known that these chemicals also reduce the immunity of the body. This is the reason why with so much advancement in medical science, there are outbreaks of diseases, like   swine flu, bird flu , e.t.c. even in developed countries.

The junk food is low in fiber content as compared to fresh fruits and freshly cooked vegetables and cerals. Therefore it is poorly digested and leads to problems of dyspepsia, constipation and gastritis

Nutritionally, freshly prepared food is far superior to fast food. There are many useful   trace minerals, other elements which are present in fresh food.  Many of these hidden useful trace elements cannot be supplemented by artificial means, i.e. like by tablets or syrups.

Therefore it is high time that people become aware of the health hazards of fast food. Here one spends money and also spoils one’s health.

It is  very important to take freshly prepared food at meal times. It does involve spending time and money (fuel is expensive), but then it should be considered as an investment for good health.

It is difficult for a  working woman to arrange it because if she has to stay out and work 8 to 10 hours every day,  where is the time to cook meals? Total cooperation of all family members (including husband and children) is needed here because it is a vital health issue for all.

Little advance planning on part of the housewife and cooperation of the husband and kids can ensure that they all eat fresh meals and not junk food.

The efforts put in by all will yield dividends in form of good health for all family.

E-mail –rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk