What’s on Your Plate? When you hear “junk food,” what you think of? This phrase is often used in reference to food’s nutritional value and generally refers to any food that isn’t particularly good for you “Fast food,” on the other hand, is a specific type of junk food that you might find at drive thru chain or sitting under a warmer at a gas station Junk foods are typically composed of high levels of salt, sugar and artificial colors—which make them an appealing option for those that are looking for a quick meal that tastes good Unfortunately, though these foods may taste good, they next to nothing for your body from a nutritional standpoint As effective as they might be at satisfying your hunger, consuming too much junk food can ultimately far more harm than good In light of all of this, it becomes particularly concerning that, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 40% of Americans eat fast food or junk food on any given day Most people think of their diet as exclusively affecting their long-term health, but an unhealthy diet can have significant impacts on how you feel day-to-day as well We’ve listed out some of the most common short-term symptoms of diets filled with fat, salt and sugar Decreased Energy & Focus When it comes to focus, energy and overall productivity, food can have a substantial impact on your day-to-day life Your body processes different foods in different ways, and choosing the wrong foods (junk foods) can leave you feeling groggy and sluggish The Harvard Business Review explains it like this: “Some foods, like pasta, bread, cereal and soda, release their glucose quickly, leading to a burst of energy followed by a slump Others, like high fat meals (think cheeseburgers and BLTs) provide more sustained energy, but require our digestive system to work harder, reducing oxygen levels in the brain and making us groggy.” Can you remember a time when you felt groggy or sluggish in the afternoon? Odds are good that you had junk food for lunch that day Bloating It’s a well-known fact that too much salt and fat are bad for your diet, but not everyone knows exactly why that is In addition to the sluggishness caused by too much junk food in your diet, you may also experience feelings of physical discomfort associated with your food choices—namely bloating and headaches When you eat too many salty foods, the cells in your body start to hold excessive amounts of water and, when that happens, you begin to look and feel bloated Sugar “Crash” Sometimes referred to as “Reactive Hypoglycemia,” sugar crashes are a common sign that your diet has been overloaded with sugars In a sugar crash, your blood has too much glucose (sugar) in it, which triggers your body to begin producing massive amounts of insulin to compensate Insulin works to lower the amount of sugar in our blood and, when it is over-produced, it can lead to headaches, nausea, sweating and faintness Acid Reflux & Indigestion Anyone can experience acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion, but these conditions can also each be caused by overeating fatty foods Fatty foods can stick around in your stomach for far longer than other foods, which can cause your stomach to produce more acid More acid means you have a greater chance of experiencing acid reflux and, in turn, heartburn Additionally, too many fatty foods can lead to a constant, nagging pain in the upper abdomen, often referred to as indigestion Poor Sleep Sleep remains one of the more mysterious parts of the human experience and we’re far from cracking the code on why, exactly, we need sleep, what sleep does to our minds and what prevents us from getting a good night’s sleep However, there is some research out there that points to the role that our diets play in our ability to start snoozing Some studies have found that those who consume less fiber and more saturated fats and sugars through the day risk enduring significantly worse sleep than those with a more balanced diet It’s no secret that regular physical activity can have a dramatic impact on your overall health, but living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t stop there Another major component of the health equation is the food (fuel) you put into your body Most people believe that their diet is fairly healthy, but you’d be surprised the impact that your favorite sweet or salty snacks could be having on your body Whether you’re regularly fighting sickness or coping with chronic aches and pains, changing what’s on your plate might be your simplest solution and your first step toward a healthier lifestyle SUMMARY: “Fast food,” on the other hand, is a specific type of junk food that you might find at drive thru chain or sitting under a warmer at a gas station In light of all of this, it becomes particularly concerning that, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 40% of Americans eat fast food or junk food on any given day Your body processes different foods in different ways, and choosing the wrong foods can leave you feeling groggy and sluggish In addition to the sluggishness caused by too much junk food in your diet, you may also experience feelings of physical discomfort associated with your food choices—namely bloating and headaches Fatty foods can stick around in your stomach for far longer than other foods, which can cause your stomach to produce more acid New words: Reference /ˈrefrəns/(n): tài liệu tham khảo Exclusively /ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/(adv): Symptoms /ˈsɪmptəm/(n): triệu chứng Impacts /ˈɪmpækt/(n): tác động/ảnh hưởng