Junk Food versus Healthy Foods

Junk food and healthy food differ greatly in their nutritional value, effects on the human body and long-term benefits, although both can be found easily in modern life. Junk food generally includes foods such as burgers, fried chicken, French fries, chips, instant noodles, soft drinks, cakes and other highly processed snacks, while healthy foods include vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs, pulses, whole grains, milk and other foods that provide essential nutrients. The main difference between the two is that junk food is often high in salt, sugar, unhealthy fats and calories but comparatively poor in important nutrients, whereas healthy food provides protein, vitamins, minerals, fibre and other nutrients needed for normal growth and good health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unhealthy diets are a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer, while a healthy diet helps