junk food
Noun: 1. Food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value: This refers to commercially prepared food and drink that is typically high in unhealthy fats, sugars, or salt, and offers little in terms of vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial nutrients. It is often designed for convenience and taste rather than health.
The term "junk food" is used to categorize and describe a type of food based on its poor nutritional profile. It is often contrasted with "healthy food" or "whole foods." - It is commonly used as a non-count noun (e.g., too much junk food), but can be used as a count noun when referring to specific items or types (e.g., various junk foods). - It frequently appears in discussions about diet, public health, childhood obesity, and lifestyle choices.
- General Use:
- Parents are often concerned about their children eating too much junk food.
- Despite knowing it's unhealthy, I sometimes crave junk food like chips and soda.
- Specific Reference:
- The vending machines at school are filled with junk foods such as candy bars and sugary drinks.
- Cutting down on junk food is the first step to a healthier diet.
- Conceptual/Figurative Use: The term can be used metaphorically to describe other things that are appealing but of low quality or value.
- That television show is just intellectual junk food—entertaining but with no substance.
- Fast food (n): While often overlapping with junk food, "fast food" specifically emphasizes quick service and preparation. Not all fast food is necessarily junk food, but much of it is.
- Processed food (n): Food that has been altered from its natural state, often for safety or convenience. Many processed foods fall into the junk food category.
- Snack food (n): Food eaten between meals. This can be healthy or unhealthy; unhealthy snack foods are a subset of junk food.
- Unhealthy food: A more direct descriptive synonym.
- Empty-calorie food: Emphasizes the high caloric content without nutritional benefit.
- Health food: Food believed to be highly beneficial to health.
- Nutritious food: Food rich in nutrients.
- Whole food: Food that is processed or refined as little as possible.
- A steady diet of junk food: Used literally or figuratively to describe a consistent intake of things that are bad for you.
- His mind is on a steady diet of junk food from social media and tabloid news.
- food that tastes good but is high in calories having little nutritional value