By Our Special Correspondent
July 21st devotes a large menu of items to National Junk Food Day. Every year, the day allows us to cut back on foods that we normally don't include in our daily diet. Junk foods, by definition, are usually high in fats, sugars, salt and calories and have very little nutritional value.
With the advent of packaged foods in the late 1800s, junk food entered American life. However, home-cooked meals have been the norm for many decades. Eventually, after World War II, the artery-clogging industry. As the population ate more, it became important to produce at an increased rate.
From the frozen food aisle to fast food chains, many options for consumers flood the market. Supermarket shelves filled with potato chips, baked goods and more, prepackaged and ready to go.
By the 1970s, junk foods had gained a reputation and a bad reputation. Michael Jacobson, a microbiologist, is credited with coining the phrase. He also set out to curb our appetite as Americans for high-sugar, high-salt, and high-preservation foods.
Deep-fried, high-fat foods can increase our waistline, cholesterol and blood sugar numbers, but the occasional treat doesn't affect a healthy, varied diet and lifestyle. Also, manufacturers make healthier versions of our favorite junk foods.
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