Junk Food in Schools - Pros and Cons
Fast foods...Junk foods...Processed foods. All have taken permanent residence in our lives. They're tasty, hassle-free and some of the best 'anytime' snacks that always have at least a couple of takers. No wonder then that they are so popular. While junk foods are present everywhere in society, it remains a bone of contention whether junk foods in schools should be allowed in the first place or whether there is a need for banning junk food in schools. Why does this question arise? We shall find out more in the following article on 'junk food in schools - pros and cons'. Just as every issue has both pros and cons, so does the issue of allowing junk foods in schools and that is why it becomes important to discuss it in greater detail in the following article.
Junk Food in Schools - Pros
What are the pros of allowing junk foods in school? And is banning junk food in schools a factor worth looking into?
Quick and Easy
One of the main advantages of allowing junk foods in schools is that if on a particular day a child does not carry a lunch bag then he does not have to remain hungry and can easily have something to satiate his hunger. Along with that it is one of those easy to eat foods that can be eaten on the go. Therefore it saves a lot of time.
Change in Routine
Having junk food as a change in routine, instead of making it a part of ones staple diet is considered alright. It does not have major effects on a person's health either if this approach is used. The problem only arises if it is being consumed regularly.
Cooking Healthy
There are junk foods that are made supremely unhealthy by loading them with oils or unhealthy ingredients. Instead of that, if junk food like potato chips or juices are made available in the school cafeteria, there will be no need to depend on unhealthy choices from outside. Thus the same taste and thrill of having junk foods can be had without having to give in to unhealthy choices.
Junk Food in Schools - Cons
Now that we have seen what some of the pros of junk food are, we will move on to the cons of junk foods. Here are some of the factors to consider.
Unhealthy Ingredients
Junk foods are loaded with sodium, salts and sugar so that they can have a longer shelf life. All these ingredients are very harmful to the human body because they cannot be broken down and therefore they build deposits in the body. Along with that they also prevent the absorption of important minerals and nutrients in the body and therefore directly affect a persons immune system.
Obesity
One of the main effects of fast foods is that it leads to obesity. With the reduced physical activity in this day and age, these unhealthy snacks in school add to the problem even more. They do not allow the food to be broken down and therefore cause layers of fat to be deposited. Along with that, junk foods normally use a lot of carbs which lead to more obesity.
Other Health Issues
Along with an increase in obesity, there are other effects of fast food on children that are noticed. There are several other health issues that begin to develop as well because there are not many nutrients that are being consumed. These include heart problems like high blood pressure, hormonal imbalance, liver and kidney problems and a weakened immune system.
Affects Performance
The sugar and sodium content starts off a very unhealthy cycle in a person's system. The minute he/she has a snack, there is a sudden burst of sugar and the person gets a spike of energy making him overactive and hyper. As the effects of the snack begin to fade, the person becomes sluggish and less aware. Until the time he takes another snack. Thus he begins to depend on the snacks to get energy boosts. This not only sets off a dependency on the snacks, but a non-availability of the same causes low energy levels, lack of concentration and lethargy. All of which have a direct effect on the student's performance.
It is also argued that the younger kids in schools might not know the effects of consuming junk foods in high numbers and might continue to gorge on them because of their ready availability. Therefore it poses a threat to begin with.
These were some of the important arguments that were put out as an important part of the topic 'junk food in schools - pros and cons'. Based on both, one can now draw their own conclusions whether junk food should be allowed or banned in schools. But more than that, it becomes important that one provides their kids with healthy and balanced foods and tells them of the disadvantages of consuming high doses of junk food. When kids are educated, they will make healthier choices and will not be tempted to have junk food simply because it is available in the school premises.
