List of Both Bad and Healthy Junk Food Items

Junk food is actually a slang word for fast food. Any food that contains very less nutritional value is called a 'junk food', which ultimately makes it an unhealthy food. Basically, any food item containing higher levels of sugar, salt and/or fats is considered as junk food. It contains very little amounts of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for a healthy body. Rather, the food is loaded with calories, that lead to many health issues.

All these things make this food an unhealthy option, which can also lead to several lifelong diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart diseases.

Fast food or junk food is mostly popular amongst kids and teenagers, who don't realize its inevitable side effects. People find it really hard to stop their kids from consuming such foods. Also, there are some who are not aware about their potential side effects. Before getting on with the list of junk food, let me introduce you with several norms used to recognize this kind of food.

Kids are the main target of the junk food industry. The food is made attractive by using various unhealthy food additives, artificial colorings, and flavorings. These additives enhance the color, flavor, taste, and texture of the food. Before digging into junk food, it is important to know its nutritional facts.

Any food item containing more than 35% calories from fat as well as sugar, more than 10% calories from saturated fats, more than 200mg salt per serving, and more than 200 calories per serving is JUNK FOOD! These numbers play a vital role in making people obese, and one should stay away from such calorie-dense foods.

As I said earlier, foods containing higher amounts of sugar, salt, and fats must strictly be examined before eating. Foods which are made using sugar (in any of its forms), flour, and white breads are ranked higher in the junk food list.

Most of the fast food items are made using fats from the hydrogenated oils and excessive amounts of salt. As a result, these foods play a major role in increasing the level of bad cholesterol and empty calories in the body. This doesn't mean that all fats are bad.

There are several healthy fats which are important for a healthy human body, for instance, omega-3 essential fatty acids. Hence, it is very important for you to distinguish between unhealthy and healthy junk food.

Our favorite fried chicken is one the worst junk foods you can consume. Frying instantly makes any food bad for health, but, the homemade version is slightly better. Fried chicken available in restaurants is packed with saturated fat, excess sodium, and chemicals like MSG. Most places reuse the oil a number of times, making it extremely harmful for your health. There are health risks like obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases associated with consumption of fried chicken.

Crispy, salty, and absolutely tasty, what's not to like in French fries! Another fried food that possesses a lot of health risks, French fries are definitely not good for you. They don't have any nutritional benefits, and are very high in calories. And yes, don't forget the ketchup that you slather on the fries. It is packed with chemicals, preservatives, and refined sugars.

Donuts are tasty, and a comfort food for many people. Since they are so delicious, it is obvious that they are bad for you (i know right?!). Firstly they are fried, and secondly they are packed with too much sugar. Even a plain donut has sugar almost equivalent to your daily consumption needs. Think about the various toppings you enjoy your donuts with cream, chocolate, caramel, and so much more. Yes, too many donuts will increase your cholesterol, and are really bad for your heart. For a healthier version, you can make donuts at home occasionally.

Sodas are absolutely useless nutritionally, as they are just empty calories. They have too much sugar, and high fructose corn syrup is used, which is very bad for the body. Excess consumption will lead to weight gain, and teeth and bone damage. Go for plain water, or fresh fruits instead. And yes, diet sodas are no better.

The cheese, the fried meat, the mayonnaise, the salt, and what not, burgers are literally fat bombs. Even the sauces and ketchup are filled with salt and preservatives. They are best avoided as they can clog your arteries. Too much consumption is definitely not good for your heart. Go for simple homemade sandwiches instead.

Salt, cheese, sauce, and bread are main culprits here. Of course, you can make it worse by going for extra cheese, or other such options. The best substitute would be wheat crust ones with minimal cheese or homemade pizza.

There is much ado about the American fast food joints, which have remarkably spread their branches all over the world. As a result, it becomes obvious to make a special list of the American junk food.

● Arby's Apple Turnover
● Arby's Cherry Turnover
● Arby's Cinnamon Twist
● A&W Papa Burger

● A&W Original Bacon Double Cheeseburger
● A&W Original Double Cheeseburger
● A&W Fries (Chili Cheese, Cheese, Chili, Kids Fries, Large Fries, etc.)
● A&W Crispy Chicken Sandwich
● Boston Market Chocolate Cake
● Boston Market Pastry Top Chicken Pot Pie
● Burger King Hash Browns
● Burger King French Fries

● Burger King Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit
● Burger King Ham, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit
● Burger King Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
● Burger King BK Chicken Fries
● Burger King Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich
● Burger King Cini-minis
● Dairy Queen Chicken Strip
● Dairy Queen Onion Rings

● Dairy Queen Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard
● Dairy Queen FlameThrower Grillburger
● Domino's Garlic Dipping Sauce
● Jack in the Box Fish & Chips
● Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Potato Wedges
● Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries
● Jack in the Box Onion Rings
● Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries

● Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken Biscuit
● Jack in the Box Sampler Trio
● Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken Bites
● Jack in the Box Plain Chicken Biscuit
● Jack in the Box Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
● Jack in the Box Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit
● Jack in the Box Original French Toast Sticks
● Jack in the Box Sausage Biscuit

● Jack in the Box Sourdough Ultimate Cheeseburger
● Jack in the Box Stuffed Jalapeños
● Jack in the Box Blueberry French Toast Sticks
● Jack in the Box Sausage Croissant
● KFC Chicken and Biscuit Bowl
● KFC Chicken Pot Pie
● McDonald's French Fries
● McDonald's Baked Apple Pie
● McDonald's Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips

● McDonald's Hotcakes (2 pats margarine & syrup)
● Sonic French Toast Sticks
● White Castle French Fries
● White Castle Onion Chips
● White Castle Clam Strips
● White Castle Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
● White Castle Fish Nibblers
● White Castle Chicken Rings
● White Castle Hot Chocolate
● White Castle Homestyle Onion Rings
● White Castle Fish Nibblers

Does this mean that the foods which are not in the list of junk food are healthy and safe for us? Well, no. As a part of a healthy diet, one must always make sure to stay away from these things and purposefully make some healthy choices. What are these healthy choices? Well, at first, get out of the misconception that there is no such thing as a 'healthy fast food'! There are a few 'junk' food items, which are healthy and tasty!

Items in the following list of junk food agree with the CA SB 19 Act 2001 which is about the Pupil Nutrition, Health, and Achievement.

● Barbara's Granola Bars, Cinnamon Raisin, Oats and Honey, Carob Chip & Peanut Butter
● Barbara's Multigrain Cherry, Strawberry & Apple Cinnamon Cereal Bars
● Barbara's Snackimals, Oatmeal, Carob Chip, & Vanilla

● Basil's Animal Crackers
● Blue Diamond Plain Almond
● Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds
● Bodhi Jungle Nut Crunch Bar
● Cal-Tropic Ameri-Mix Fruit & Nut Snack Mix
● Cal-Tropic Totally California Trail Mix
● Cliff Bars - Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch, Cookies, Chocolate Almond Fudge and Crème and Chocolate Brownie

● Cliff ZBar: peanut butter, chocolate brownie, apple caramel
● Dakota Gourmet Honey Roasted Sunflower Kernel
● Dakota Gourmet Lightly Salted Sunflower Kernel
● David Pumpkin Seeds
● David Sunflower Seeds
● Envirokidz Crispy Rice Bar
● Famous Amos Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
● Fig Newmans
● Frito Lay Baked Doritos

● Frito Lay Baked Lays
● Frito Lay Rold Gold Pretzels
● Frunola Energy Bars
● General Mills Chex Mix
● General Mills Morning Mix
● Genisoy Soy Crisps
● Glad Corn Original A-Maizing Gorn Snack
● Golden Nut Chile Y Limon Garbanzos
● Golden Nut Chile Y Limon Havas
● Health Valley Apple Cobbler

● Health Valley Granola Bars
● Health Valley Solar Bars, Berry, Peanut Butter & Chocolate
● Health Valley Strawberry Cobbler
● Kellogg's Nutrigrain Bars
● Kellogg's Pop Tarts
● Kettle Krisps, BBQ & Low Salt
● Kettle Valley Fruit Bars
● Kirkland's Trail Mix
● Kudos Milk Chocolate Granola Bars, Chocolate Chip & M & M's Flavor

● Luna Bars
● Mr. Krispers Rice Chips
● Mr. Nature Unsalted Trail Mix
● Nabisco Corn Nuts, Original, BBQ, Chili Picante Con Limon, Red Hot, Taco
● Natural Value Fruit Leathers, Apricot, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry
● Nature Valley Bars
● Newman's Own Salted Rounds Pretzels
● Pita Cheddar Cheese Snax
● Pita Cinnamon Snax
● Planter's "Heat" Hot Spicy Peanuts

● Planter's Peanuts
● Robert's American Gourmet Buds
● Robert's American Gourmet Fruity Booty
● Robert's American Gourmet Pirate Booty
● Robert's American Gourmet Potato Flyers
● Snyder's Pretzels
● Soy Nut Butter Pretzel Sticks
● Tumaro's Krispy Crunchy Puffs, Tangy BBQ, Natural Corn, Ranch and Herb & Cheddar

These are some healthy junk foods, but one cannot and should not depend entirely upon them. For a healthier body and mind, you must always rely upon a balanced diet. To ensure that you get all the required nutrition, you must consume plenty of vegetables, fruits, and fibers. Try and drink as much water as possible, instead of the unhealthy carbonated drinks. Remember, the more you depend on the natural foods, the healthier will you be. Take care!