Ready-to-eat food or junk food does have a good taste, but this type of food contains high calories and few nutrients. Not only that, the habit of eating fast food is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
Many kinds of food that can pamper your tongue. One of them is fast food. This food is loved by all people, from children to adults. Examples of popular ready-to-eat foods are French fries, pizza, fried chicken, and hamburgers.
Dangers of Fast Food for Your Body
Fast food is a food that is very easy and fast to be processed as a substitute for home food. Besides being high in calories, these foods also contain a lot of sugar, fat (especially cholesterol), and salt.
If eaten occasionally, these ready-to-eat foods may still be safe for health. However, if consumed in large quantities or frequently, such as at a mukbang event, these ready-to-eat foods can be harmful to health.
Some fast food restaurants even use vegetable oil which contains a lot of trans oil or saturated fat to fry their food. In fact, the oil is not good for the body because it can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
People who have high blood pressure and diabetes are advised to be very careful about fast food. This is because the fat content in these foods is quite high.
Not only can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, there are many dangers of fast food to your body, including:
1. Gaining weight
Fast food is very high in calories and fat. If consumed in excess, then this type of food can quickly gain weight. People who eat fast food too often are very susceptible to obesity and a distended stomach.
In addition, the high fat content in fast food can also cause an increase in blood cholesterol. This is what also makes this type of food at risk of causing heart disease and stroke.
2. Increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Fast food that is high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates can cause a spike in blood sugar in your body. If consumed frequently, over time it can cause interference with insulin. As a result, you will be at greater risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
3. Causes tooth decay
Fast food will usually be served with soft drinks or sweet drinks that are high in carbohydrates and sugar. When this drink is consumed, the bacteria in your mouth will produce acid. This acid can destroy the protective layer (enamel) of the teeth, causing cavities.
4. Increase the risk of respiratory disorders
A study says that children who eat fast food at least three times a week will be at risk of developing obesity and increased recurrence of asthma symptoms. As for adults, obesity that lurks can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing, and sleep apnea.
5. Increases the risk of cancer
Various health studies have found that an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise also contribute to increasing a person’s risk of developing cancer. The diet in question is a diet high in calories and fat and low in fiber, including fast food.
In addition to some of the health problems above, eating too many fast foods that are high in salt and fat can also cause other health problems, such as high blood pressure and flatulence.
Reduce Intake of Fast Food
For those of you who have a habit of often consuming fast food, from now on try to limit it. But if you still want to eat these foods, you have to be careful and careful.
Find out how many calories, fat, and salt the food contains. In addition, choose the ready-to-eat package menu with smaller portions than the extra size menu that is usually offered. This can reduce the calorie intake that will enter your body.
Also, you can replace ready-to-eat foods, such as French fries and pizza, into a salad with a low-fat dressing or with a bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt.
For sandwich or burgers, ask the waiter to add tomatoes and lettuce and reduce the amount of cheese and sauce.
Not only food, drinks must also be considered. A glass of soda contains at least 200-300 calories. Therefore, replace the habit of consuming soft drinks by drinking plain water or tea.
Because there are many bad effects on health, avoid consuming fast food too often. Eat healthy foods every day so that your body is always fit and protected from various diseases.
You can consult a doctor for advice on a healthy diet that suits your condition and needs.
