NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY
Fast Facts
- WHEN
- Celebrated each year on July 21st
- WHY
- Chow down on the foods we usually don't include in our daily diet
- FACT
- Michael Jacobson coined phrase after cutting carbs, sugars, and fatty foods out of his diet
- VIBE
- Guilt-free indulgence
NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY
July 21 dedicates a giant menu of items to National Junk Food Day. This day permits us to chow down on the foods we usually don't include in our daily diet.
#NationalJunkFoodDay
Junk foods, by definition, typically contain high fats, sugars, salt, and calories and very little nutritional value. With the advent of packaged foods during the late 1800s, junk food made its way into American life. However, home-cooked meals remained the standard for several more decades. Eventually, after World War II, the artery-clogging industry took off. Since the population ate out more and traveled more, the industry was primed to produce products at an increased rate.
From the frozen food aisle to fast food chains, a myriad of choices for consumers flooded the market. Potato chips, baked goods and so much more filled supermarket shelves, prepackaged and ready to go.
The Great Junk Food Debate
Sweet vs. Savory
If you could only have one for the rest of your life, are you picking potato chips or chocolate chip cookies?
French Fry Fight
Which taste better? Waffle fries, curly fries, crinkle-cut, or classic shoestring?
By the 1970s, junk foods earned a name and a bad one, too. Michael Jacobson, a microbiologist, is credited with coining the phrase. He also set out to curb our appetite for the high sugar, high salt, high preservative foods Americans consumed at an alarming rate.
While deep-fried, fat-laced foods increase our waistlines, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers, an occasional indulgence shouldn't impact a healthy, diverse diet and lifestyle. Also, producers make healthy versions of our favorite junk foods to entice us to enjoy a little.
GUILT FREE GUIDE TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY
There are no rules when celebrating National Junk Food Day. What you eat is entirely up to you because what one person considers to be junk food can be entirely different to another person. Eat what you want. Eat how much you want. We listen and we don't judge.
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Step 1: You must wear a tactical outfit. That means your pants must be equipped with elastic waistbands only.
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Step 2: Prep your brain. Calorie counting is no allowed today and you need to approach today with a "No Regrets" attitude.
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Step 3: Today is all about knowing you have 24 hours to indulge in sweet and salty food pairs. Fries dipped in milkshakes. Potato chips inside your sandwich. Live a little and eat a lot.
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Share what you're eating to celebrate on social media using the hashtag #NationalJunkFoodDay.
NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY HISTORY
We were unable to identify the origin of National Junk Food Day.