Smoking is the biggest problem of the US among its population. It has become the root of many deaths and countless problems. However, according to the Organic Consumers Association, Obesity is crawling fast on these ranks, and the greatest contributor to this predicament is the consumption of junk food.
Eating junk food is bad for our health. Although there is a growing campaign to observe a healthy eating habit, it is not always about the calories one takes note of from the nutrition facts behind every packet. Healthy eating does not only include the nutritional values, however, from these food. It is also important for one to note every ingredient taken into these food. Every bag of chips or burger meals we sink our teeth into contains preservatives or additives, which could be relatively be harmful for the body.
Is it science? Is it the answer to poverty and world hunger? Is it business? Regardless of the objectives of these booming companies to produce so much, the fact remains that junk food have negative effects on the body. This have been supported by documentary films like Super Size Me. Many continue to campaign for a healthier diet for every American, and they have raised different ways to counter the rise of junk food consumption. There remains, however, a question for you to ponder on: are you willing to put the burger down to raise a carrot stick?
Everyone should avoid eating junk food because there are ill effects on the body. Website Diet Policy noted some of these effects: lack of energy, poor concentration, heart diseases and high cholesterol. Junk foods lead to a person’s lack of energy because these don’t comprise of the essential nutrients one needs to have in every meal. People suffer from poor concentration because these junk foods usually contain oils. These oils are equated to fat. With more fat, the blood circulation decreases. The amount of oxygen and nutrients were not distributed well throughout the body, causing a drowsy feeling.
This, in turn, leads to heart diseases and high cholesterol. With thickened blood due to the fats in the system, the heart exerts the extra effort to pump more so that each part of the body received the necessary supplements. Junk foods also greatly contribute to high cholesterol. Besides the clogged arteries, in the long run, the liver is likewise damaged. More importantly, as mentioned earlier, it is the leading contributor to obesity, which is the sum of all these ill effects of junk food consumption.
These ill effects on the body have been confirmed by the documentary film, Super Size Me. Although the film targeted McDonald’s, since they have been considered as the leading company in the fast food industry, the fact that Morgan Spurlock got intensely sick because of one brand implies that other companies of the same industry can have similar effects to the people who consume them. For thirty days, Spurlock can only eat whatever is on the menu of any McDonald branch, and have it super sized when offered. Before even completing the agreed number of days, all of his doctors tried to persuade him to stop eating anything from McDonald’s, and switch back to his old diet.
Behind all these, you should not loose hope just yet. Even when there are a lot of fast food establishments tempting us to by at the strike of slight hunger, there are ways to evade the call of a Big Mac. Junk food consumption can be addicting for all ages. However, to counter that, Ezine Article suggested some ideas. First, you should drink at least 8 glasses of water. This is to help the body flush out all the toxins it consumed. Second, one should eat healthy food periodically, to prevent cravings when temptation strikes. Third, have a different diet pattern by involving more fruits and vegetables. This is to supply the body with the necessary nutrients to function best. Fourth, have the initiative to look away. You can always choose not to eat junk food, Fifth, also have the initiative to be educated about these kinds of food. Do you always know what you’re eating?
In conclusion, when consuming junk food, a person’s health is always put at risk. You put your like at risk. You allow yourself to be vulnerable to a wide array of illnesses. You are calling for death far too soon. You could be destroying yourself, and with that, you also affect others. Films such as Super Size Me should not be taken as passing story or an advocacy unsung. They are teachers. They are a reality we have to face. They have the information to open our eyes. We can fight the pursuit of junk food in the market. But we must not falter. Junk food is as its name suggests. It is junk, and it does not have to be part of our system. Although advertisements will always try to persuade us to try their products, we always have a choice not to give in.
Works Cited
“Harmful Effects of Junk Food.” Diet Policy. 2008. 26 March 2008 <http://www.dietpolicy.com/diets-articles/junk-food-addiction.htm>.
Lee, Jared. “How to Avoid Junk Food Consumption.” Ezine Articles. 14 January 2008. 26 March 2008 <http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Avoid-Junk-Food- Consumption&id=927111>.
Simon, Michele. “Junk Food/Obesity Lawsuits Alarm U.S. Food Giants.” Organic Consumers Association. 1 April 2004. 26 March 2008 <http://www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/obesity042004.cfm>.
