Junk Food

Did you know that one in five deaths worldwide is caused by an unhealthy diet?

In 2017, around 11 million deaths were as a result of poor diets with high sugar, salt and processed meat (Kate Kelland, 2019). An unhealthy diet is the leading cause of heart diseases, cancer and diabetes. There are too many calories with fewer fruits and vegetables in the average diet taken by Americans. An unhealthy diet is a diet that does not provide the body with the right amounts and types of nutrients necessary for a healthy living. The young people are the major victims of unhealthy diet and need to understand the dangers associated with this behavior.

History of Unhealthy Diet

Unhealthy diet has been in existence for centuries, but most of the junk food came to light in the 20th century. The leading cause of the emergence of this junk food is mechanization, electricity, and devices that aimed at saving labour.

Causes and Symptoms of Unhealthy Diet

Most people know that junk food is unhealthy, yet they eat it. The reason why most people eat most of this unhealthy food is that they are cheap, readily available, tasty and filling (Tracy, 2013). An unhealthy diet brings problems to one’s digestive system, skin and weight. Some symptoms of an unhealthy diet are water retention due to excess sodium, lack of energy, bloating and stomach upset, heartburn and poor sleeping habits.

Changing the Habit of Unhealthy Diet

It is not easy to transition from poor eating habits to healthy eating overnight. It is a process that requires commitment and understanding that eating healthy food is the best thing you can do for your body. Here are some steps to kick start a healthy eating style;

• Ensure you take food with nutrients daily.
• Take fresh juices frequently as they add nutrients into the body.
• Understand that there are natural healthy alternatives to the bad stuff.
• Keep in mind that most of the health issues can heal with the right medication and proper nutrition.
• Cut out the stuff that causes health problem.
• Finally eat local, organic food when possible.

Effects of Bad Diet on College Students

College students among young people are some of the individuals most hit by the effects of eating unhealthy foods. Some short-term effects of are decreased energy and unhealthy body weight. According to Magni, Dozio, Ruscica (2009)Continuous eating of unhealthy food is likely to lead to serious health problems; some of these problems are cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.

There are no benefits to a poor diet.

Technology Effects on Bad Diet

Technology has led to improvements in the diet that people eat, and it has also led to bad eating habits. With life becoming more hectic, smart cooking has enabled people to cook fast the food they wish to eat. Technology has also enabled people to search online for the best foods to eat, when sick, people can also search for the food that can help them get better (Pitchford, 2002). On the other hand, technology has made it possible to produce junk food that is not good for health. Junk food is full of sugar, salt and calories.

Bad Diet Effects on Genetics

How the body genes work in the body is influenced by the type of food people eat. Eating food with high carbohydrates makes some genes to work overtime. According to (Paul, and Robinson, 2016), overworking the genes affects the genes that lead to inflammation as well as those that associated with cardiovascular disease.

Transforming from Bad Diet

College students are at their youthful age; this is the age when their bodies are most active and growing; this means it is essential for them to take healthy meals. Here are some of the ways that college students can maintain a healthy diet;

• No skipping meals.
• Snack smart.
• Exercise frequently.
• Drink enough water.
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid alcohol which is very common among college students.

References

1. Kate Kelland, (2019). One in five deaths worldwide linked to unhealthy diet. Available at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-diet/one-in-five-deaths-worldwide-linked-to- unhealthy-diet-idUSKCN1RF2SV
2. Magni P, Dozio E, Ruscica M, (2009). Feeding behavior in mammals including humans. Ann NY Acad Sci.
3. Paul, M. and Robinson, L. (2016). Nutrition for Children and Teens: Easy Ways to Help Your Kids Eat Healthier.
4. Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods. Berkeley, Calif.: North Atlantic Books.
5. Tracy, S. (2013). Something New under the Sun? The Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Health. New England Journal of Medicine