Junk food is a term describing food that is unhealthy and/or has poor nutritional value, according to the Food Standards Agency (UK). The term is believed to have been coined by Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972. The term has since become common usage.Junk food often contains high levels of saturated fat, salt, or sugar and numerous food additives such as monosodium glutamate and tartrazine; at the same time, it is lacking in proteins, vitamins and fibre, among other healthy attributes. It is popular with suppliers because it is relatively cheap to manufacture, has a long shelf life and may not require refrigeration. It is popular with American consumers because it is easy to purchase, requires little or no preparation, is convenient to consume and has lots of flavor. Consumption of junk food in America, has been associated with obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and dental cavities. There is also concern about the targeting of marketing to children.

This is a compilation of quotes about the destructive health effects of soft drinks from some of the leading authors on health, nutrition and junk food. This full list, and much more information, is included in The Five Soft Drink Monsters downloadable ebook.

HARLINGEN — The school district has implemented the latest nutrition changes in school lunches that mean less take-out food, less chocolate and less fizzy soda.

As awareness of the importance of nutrition grows, we discover new ways to apply the knowledge that you are what you eat.

Take a seat and watch the 200 junk food ads during Saturday morning cartoons – 8 of them every 10 minutes. On average, children will watch 40,000 TV ads per year. One fourth will sell candy, empty cereals, fast food, and soft drinks, all using creative and alluring cartoon icons to peddle empty nutrition.

Get out of the low carb junk food aisle and into all natural foods for a low carb diet. Did you know that there are some technologically advanced, natural, low carb food and health drink concentrates that give you all the nutrition you need without hassles or calculators.