Ten Junk Food: Challenges to Traditional Concept

Generally we think the following food contains nutrition to a certain degree. However, the fact shows it can be classified into junk food.

1. Fillet of fish: It is usually made of cod. Cod contains unsaturated fatty acid （including DHA）which is healthy to human bodies. And thus, this product is labeled “nutritional”. However, you may notice there are tens of ingredients in its packaging. A large amount of salt, monosodium glutamate, saturated fatty acid is added in fillets of fish during the processing. As a result, harms the fillet of fish brings exceed its nutrition.

2. Canned thick soup: It is cheap and easy to make. But there is much salt, fat, artificial additives, preservative and sometimes dehydrated carrots. A can of soup contains 1000 mg sodium, half of what you need per day. Thus, we suggest buy chicken, beef and vegetables to cook delicious and hot soup yourselves.

3. Green tea: Asian people like to drink green tea, and even turning it into a form of arts. Green tea contains many healthy ingredients which help prevent cancers, heart disease and aging. But most Americans don’t like the original flavor of green tea and thus many producers add sugar and other additives into it. As a result, the healthy green tea turns to be unhealthy.

4. Yoghourt: It is fermented by fresh milk, containing much protein, calcium and vitamin. For people who have lactose intolerance, yoghourt is a good choice. However, yoghourt in American supermarkets now contains much sugar and processed fruit. Thus, you’d better choose non-fat yoghourt.

5. Tawny potatoes: they are grown in Iowa. Compared to other potatoes, they are easier to cultivate and much cheaper. However, the starch contained in them can be quickly turned into blood sugar which increases the risk of diabetes and obesity. They don’t have a good flavor, and therefore are mashed or fried to taste better.

6. Popcorn: It contains much fibers and low calories itself. However, many ingredients are added to make more delicious popcorn. When you buy it in supermarkets, you should pay attention to its ingredients listed on the packaging.

7. Bread: it is very common in USA, especially the white rolls. Healthy bread is made of flour, water, salt and yeasts. However, most bread contains sugar, corn syrup and many other ingredients. Once you eat such bread, sugar is turned into blood sugar quickly. Some whole- wheat bread produced for a large quantity is unhealthy because it contains much salt and softener for better flavor.

8. Oatmeal and cornflakes: they are considered as the most nutritional as breakfast. The protein, dietary fibers and vitamins are most contained in them. However, some producers make use of the word “cereals”, emphasizing their products are healthy. In fact, their products are added with a lot of corn syrup, colorant and preservative. Those “colorful” oatmeal and cornflakes products catch kids’ eyes but they have little nutrition.

9. Commercialized organic food: generally, organic food is without any pesticides and fertilizers. However, driven by the high profits, many producers sell “junk food” in packaging with the label of “organic food”. As for how many organic substances are contained in their products, only producers know.

10. Pizza: In Italy, the law regulates how to make pizza. It must be made of whole- wheat flour, tomato paste, cottage cheese, olive oil and basil, thus with much nutrition. However, pizza in chain restaurants is added with preservative, cheap artificial fat, canned fruit, frozen meat and plenty of salt. In this case, pizza contains many calories and sodium, and little nutrition.