Why is 'junk food' called that?

When talking about junk food, you might think of certain specific dishes, but do you really know what that term means?The term junk food is used to refer to beverages and foods low in nutrients, meaning they do not provide vitamins, minerals, or fiber, and they also have high contents of calories, saturated fats, and added sugars.With your help, we can transform the lives of children. SEE HOW TO ACHIEVE IT.Although it is not yet possible to obtain general estimates of the proportion of people suffering from diseases related to poor nutrition, the World Health Organization (WHO) points out various causes of an unhealthy diet, among which three stand out: high salt consumption, high fat intake, and low consumption of fruits and vegetables.Fruits and VegetablesAbout 1.7 million (2.8%) deaths worldwide are attributable to low consumption of fruits and vegetables; while adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stomach cancer, and colorectal cancer. There is evidence that consuming high levels of high-calorie foods, such as processed foods rich in fats and sugars, promotes obesity.SaltThe recommended salt intake per person per day is 5 grams, according to the WHO, in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, data from several countries indicate that most populations consume much more salt than recommended.A person consumes about 9 to 12 grams of salt per day, so it is estimated that reducing it to the recommended 5 grams would have a significant positive impact on blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.FatsHigh consumption of saturated fats and trans fatty acids is linked to heart disease. However, replacing them with polyunsaturated vegetable oils reduces the risk of coronary disease. It has also been shown that higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids from plant sources and polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.Consequences of Junk FoodFar from nourishing us, junk food can have unfavorable consequences:It can cause memory and learning problems.Junk food lacks essential nutrients, and the risk of suffering from depression increases by 58% if consumed very frequently.People addicted to junk food may suffer from digestive problems, such as reflux or irritable bowel syndrome.It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.Since the kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins from the blood, the intake of a lot of junk food has a direct effect on their functioning.The WHO indicates that an unhealthy diet is one of the main risk factors for a variety of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and other obesity-related conditions. Specific recommendations for a healthy diet include eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and grains; reducing salt, sugar, and fats. On the other hand, it is also advisable to choose unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats.Improving eating habits is a social issue, not just an individual one. Therefore, it requires a population-based, multisectoral, multidisciplinary, and culturally relevant approach.Remember that if your diet is balanced, you don't need to completely eliminate this type of food; however, it is important not to abuse its consumption, to keep your foods varied, and to have plenty of colors on your plates so that you nourish yourself with what you eat.Additionally, it is vital to ensure that children learn to differentiate between food that provides nutrients and food that does not, not just at home. At the community level, you can contribute to the work of foundations and associations dedicated to helping underprivileged children have a balanced diet, such as Dibujando un mañana or Comer y Crecer, and contribute to their healthy development and better future. See here how you can help.