Frenzy for unhealthy food

Various doctors and experts have time and again said Indians are consuming junk food more often than in the past, and have warned against the health risks they pose. Most junk food like noodles, burgers and aloo bhujia contain very high levels of fats, salt and sugar, which inevitably leads to health hazards, mostly obesity and diabetes.

India has definitely turned into one of the biggest markets for fast food. Domino’s Pizza recently inaugurated their 500th store. It shows our inclination towards junk food. Also, according to Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) fast food has reached rural markets in the form of potato chips and soft-drinks.

A key factor spurring this trend is urbanisation, which has resulted in making an increasing number of people — students, job seekers, working people living alone in the city dependent on fast food.

Employment, rapid information via social media, tempting offers like ‘value for money’ combo meals are also playing a role in increasing trend of having junk food.
Metrolife spoke to youngsters to find out the reason behind their madness for pizza, burger and other fast food. Abhishek Bose, a management trainee in a five star hotel swears by pizza over home cooked food.

“Whenever I go out with my friends or want to order something, I end up ordering pizza or burger for a change. I know they are unhealthy, but we always eat home cooked food at home,” said Bose.

The typical Indian food like dal and roti is a passe now. Youngsters just want to have that slice of pizza over a mixed vegetable dish.

“We have Indian food everyday. so why outside also? When we go out we only like to eat fast food and not the typical dal chawal or roti,” said Atoshi Mitra who works with an MNC.

With the spending capabilities getting increased day by day, fast good chains in Delhi are also increasing, giving more options to indulge in junk food.

Stating this as a serious threat to health, Pallavi Vaish, dietician, says, “Most of the junk food that youngsters have contains maida, high carbohydrates and fat which leads to diabetes, acidity, high cholesterol, constipation and obesity.”

She adds, “One should avoid junk food to stay healthy. One would never understand what these junk food items are causing to their body, it is always in their later stage that they would start facing health related issues.”