JUNK FOOD A SLOW POISON

E-Weekly-2/33

Green Earth Movement

An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice

Remember - “you and I can decide the future”

Our health depends on what we eat daily.Foods are the building blocks of every cell in the body. Our body cells, the building blocks of our body, are responsible for the proper functioning of the whole body. Without adequate nutrition, we cannot expect ourselves to be healthy. The nutrition comes from what we eat and drink. It is important, therefore, to know what is good for our body and what is not.

What is a Junk Food?Any food that has poor nutritional value is

considered unhealthy and may be called a junk food. A food that is high in fat, sodium, and/or

sugar is known as a junk food. Junk food is easy to carry, purchase and consume. Generally, a junk food is given a very attractive appearance by

adding food additives and colors to enhance flavor, texture, appearance, and increasing long self life.

A fast food may also be a junk food.

WHY JUNK FOOD IS BAD, in other words IT IS A SLOW

POISON?Junk foods contains higher amount of fats, sugar, salt,

Artificial colors and preservatives

Sugars, Refined foods, like sugar and plain flour (maida) based items like white bread and most packaged goods, like Twinkies and sugar donuts, etc. (Sugar Substitutes)Our body eventually turns sugars into fat. If you consume just 3 tsp of sugar daily, imagine how much sugar you would have consumed by the time you are 50 years of age; it will be about 275 kg !, about 5 time your weight !!

Many junk foods contain artificial color and preservatives which do no good for our body, rather they act like poison. Sweden’s National Food Administration is a government food safety agency. With their cooperation a research was carried out at Stockholm University. The research showed that baking or frying carbohydrate-rich foods, such as potatoes or cereals, formed acrylamide. International Agency for Research on Cancer, found that acrylamide induces gene mutations. It is also known to cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous system.

Higher potential of suffering from health problems: If you are habituated to eat junk foods almost everyday or very regularly you are sure to be an overweight or obese person unless you do a good amount of physical work everyday. There is absolutely no doubt about that. This overweight or obesity will lead you to some serious health problems like heart diseases, joint problems, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes. Besides those serious problems they are also responsible for faster tooth decay, constipation, problems related to digestion and tiredness.

JUNK FOOD IS A REAL THREAT TO CHILDREN

Junk foods are a real threat for the children and younger age groups: If your children eat too much junk foods, then

you should really control their food habit. Because if they eat too much junk food they will eat fewer amount of nutrient

foods. This in turn will result in:

1. Childhood ObesityOne major effect of fast food on children is carrying excess body fat. Weight gain Can occur when a child eats fast food, Since Many fast food meals are very high In calories, and a child can easily eat more calories than her body burns in a day. Over time, this caloric surplus leads to weight gain and eventually obesity. The Penn State Children's Hospital recommends preventing and treating childhood obesity by providing your child with sweets and fast food in only moderation, encouraging your child to eat breakfast each day to avoid overeating in the afternoon, and providing healthy snacks to sate hunger. If your child already suffers from childhood obesity, consult with a physician to determine an appropriate plan of action to address the health concern.

2. Insulin Resistance

Feeding children a diet rich in fast food can also lead to insulin resistance. Colorado State University explains that insulin typically helps control blood sugar -- the release of insulin from the pancreas encourages your child's cells to take up sugar in their blood, lowering overall blood sugar levels. Following a poor diet, such as one rich in fast foods, can decrease cells' sensitivity to insulin, so the release of insulin is no longer sufficient to lower blood sugar levels. This insulin resistance can act as a precursor to other diseases in adulthood, including type 2 diabetes. Limiting your child's fast food intake and improving his diet may help improve insulin responsiveness and help prevent the development of diabetes in the future.

3. Difficulties at SchoolEating a diet rich in fast foods can also affect your child's performance at school. The brain relies on proper fuel as a source of energy, as well as a range of nutrients that facilitate learning and memory. A fast food diet may lead to nutrient deficiencies, meaning your child's brain does not have the tools to learn effectively. Virginia Tech recommends Packing a nutritious lunch for your child -- and offering an alternative to a cafeteria fast food lunch -- since a healthy lunch composed of proteins, dairy products, grains, fruits and vegetables can increase a child's attention span and positively affect her academic performance.

Junk Food & CholesterolFried and processed food, particularly fast food, contains high amounts of oxycholesterol, Reports Scientists from China in the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in August 2009. Oxycholesterol is a little-known type of cholesterol which may prove to be the lethal to heart health.A healthy diet rich in antioxidants can counter these effects.

Fats & Hydrogenated oils

They are found in cookies, chips, candy bars, fried foods, muffins, bologna, etc. etc. Many snacks, such as potato chips, cheeseburgers and fries, have high levels of fat, sugar or salt-ingredients that are usually best limited to a small portion of your diet. The saturated fat mainly comes from animal products. Remember there is nothing that is useful for our body in foods with hydrogenated or trans fat. The excessive fats stick to our arteries and cause the blockages leading to heart disease and strokes. They can also aid to cancer, arthritis, PMS and sexual dysfunction.Some fats like Omega-3 fatty acids are good for our bodies.

SaltExcessive salt is not good for our body (Daily Salt Recommendation). However, sodium in moderate amount, along with potassium, maintains the water balance in our body. But too much sodium can cause high blood pressure. Pretzels, chips and many canned food items contain excessive salt. (High sodium food list)

Despite all the bad press about fast food, why do people continue to throng fast food restaurants? The reasons often given by people are:

Convenience Cleanliness

Friendly service Delicious food

Value for money Speed

In conclusion, it can be deduced that nutritional concerns rank very low on most people’s priorities when it comes to choosing food. Some fast food eaten now and then, is OK. But for weight watchers (and people with sensitive physiology, allergies, high blood pressure, and weak digestion), the high calories, salt, sugar, and additives of fast food can inflict health problems, and are therefore best avoided.

Five Tips for a Healthy, Happy Family

When good eating and exercise habits are formed at home, they can last a lifetime. Use these techniques to teach your children the importance of staying active and eating nutritious (and great-tasting!) food.

1] Good foods in; bad foods out.

Start simple. When kids are young, you have the advantage Because they eat at least half their meals at home. If you stock your cupboards and fridge with nutritious foods and toss out the junk, then your whole family will be eating

the same healthy foods. Shop for fat-free or reduced-

fat dairy(milk, yogurt, and cheese) and lean protein

sources(skinless poultry, fish, turkey sausage and

bacon, andso on), and have freshly washed vegetables

and fruitavailable at all times.

2. Eat dinner as a Family — and slim down favorite meals.Sitting down to regular meals as a family is a great way to connect with one another and offers the opportunity to instill proper eating habits in your children at an early age. I find that family dinners are the best occasions for kids to explore new foods — something they may not be inclined to do at a friend's house or at a restaurant. Learn to make leaner versions of your kids' favorites — like tacos with ground turkey, pizza with toasted whole-wheat pita bread and reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, baked sweet potato fries, and "unfried" chicken fingers. Pick five of your family's standards and master a healthier, tasty version of each.

3. Minimize snackingConstant snacking throughout the day can Set kids up for weight gain and leave them uninterested in eating when it's time to sit down for lunch or dinner. And if they're less hungry, they'll be less willing to try new foods - like vegetables! As a parent, it's important to set snacking guidelines: Try to stick to a consistent meal and snack schedule, spacing snacks and meals at least two hours apart, allowing no more than two or three snacks a day, and limiting them to about 150 calories apiece. Apple slices with peanut butter, low-fat yogurt with strawberries, air-popped popcorn, baby carrots and red pepper sticks with low-fat dip, and homemade trail mix made with whole grain cereal, nuts, and dried fruit are all great options.

4. Make the TV room a no eating zone.

Excessive TV watching leads to inactivity and mindless munching. So make the TV room a "no-eating zone," and get the television sets out of your kids' bedrooms. Turn off the tube during mealtimes, and try your best to limit overall TV watching to no more than two hours a day (this Includes non-academic computer Activity and video games as well). Your children will be more active And well-rounded as a result.

5. Get moving as a

family.

Not only does physical activity help with weight management, but it can boost self-esteem and encourage family bonding. Kids, especially those struggling with their weight, like the acceptance they feel as part of a team. Plan hikes, go for family bike rides, toss a ball around in the backyard, join exercise classes together, follow along with exercise videos — anything goes! Take turns choosing activities; in no time at all, the whole family will look forward to enjoying these fit, fun outings.

“ Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time

for illness.“ Edward Stanley

Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are. Anthelme Brillat-

Savarin

IN CONCLUSION HERE ARE TWOENLIGHTENING QUOTES ON HEALTHY

EATING

This Presentation was produced by Green Earth Movement (GEM) Team, c/o St Xavier’s

Community Centre, PanvelTel: 2745 5556

Email: panvelchurch@gmail.com, gemenewsletter@gmail.com