National Junk Food Day is celebrated every year on July 21st — a day when you can forget about dieting, stop counting calories, and freely enjoy your favorite tasty treats. Pizza, burgers, chips, chocolate, cold drinks, samosas, French fries... whatever your heart desires, today is the day to eat it all.
History: Junk Food and the Beginning of This Day
There's no official record of when this special day began, but it's believed that it was started by a conscious yet food-loving individual or group who wanted to celebrate guilt-free eating for at least one day of the year. By the way, the term "junk food" was coined in the 1970s by microbiologist Michael Jacobson. He used the term to warn people about foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. But is it ever wrong to eat junk food occasionally? Absolutely not! If you mostly eat a balanced and nutritious diet, then celebrating Junk Food Day once a year is definitely justifiable.
What is Junk Food?
Junk food is food that's very flavorful but low in nutrition. These foods are usually high in oil, salt, sugar, and calories. For example:
- Burgers
- French Fries
- Pizza
- Cold Drinks
- Salty Snacks
- Candies and Chocolates
Fun Ways to Celebrate This Day
1. Celebrate a 'No Diet Day'
Take a break from your diet today. Eat your favorite things — whether it's pizza or buttered popcorn, or aloo tikki and golgappe!
2. Host a 'Junk Food Party' at Home
Invite your friends or family and have everyone bring their favorite junk food item. Create a 'junk food buffet' at home and watch a movie together.
3. Try Junk Food from Different Countries
Such as Japan's Unican Mikakuto Melon Milk Candy, Colombia's Jet Chocolate, Spain's Violetas Candies, or Poland's Prince Polo.
4. Make Healthy-Junk at Home
If you want to get a little creative in the kitchen, make Southern Fried Chicken, Bacon Cheeseburgers, or Chili Cheese Fries at home. There are plenty of easy recipes available online.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Junk Food
Advantages
- Full of flavor
- Provides instant happiness and satisfaction
- Eating it occasionally keeps the mind happy
Disadvantages
- Regular consumption can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and heart problems
- Difficulty concentrating in children
- Lack of nutrition
Therefore, eat it only on special occasions, like today — National Junk Food Day!
Some Famous Junk Foods from Around the World
- Japan: Unican Mikakuto Melon Milk Candy
- Korea: Chong Woo Pumpkin Candy
- Colombia: Jet Chocolates
- Poland: Prince Polo Wafer Chocolate
- Spain: Violetas – Sugar Coated Violet Flowers
National Junk Food Day reminds us that sometimes taste should also get freedom. Enjoy a day full of fun, laughter, and your favorite foods to the fullest, but maintain balance. Return to health from tomorrow — that's the real taste of life.
