On the occasion of the world day against junk food on July 21, the nutritionist Patrick Sérog recalls the dangers of the excess of bad foods but removes the guilt from their occasional consumption.
– Why Doctor: What is junk food?
Patrick Sérog – There is no scientific definition of junk food. It might be to eat excess foods that the body does not necessarily need: too much fat, sugar, protein… The idea is to find a balance according to the needs that are specific to each person. There is no universal junk food. When we enter a supermarket, it is what we do with the food that will make it junk food and not what is presented in front of us. If we eat vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and occasionally a pâté, a pizza, a ham, crisps… It’s not junk food. Junk food is more about behavior than food. Of course, there are foods that are fattier and sweeter than others, but that’s not why it’s forbidden to eat them. What is needed is to do it in an orderly fashion with respect to our personal consumption.
– Isn’t junk food or fast food considered junk food?
Everyone knows it’s junk food. But if we eat properly during the week and treat ourselves occasionally, there is nothing wrong. It is necessary to dissociate food from the frequency at which it is taken. We must not be totalitarian and completely banish these foods. Junk food depends on humans and not on the foods we offer.
– Isn’t it possible to develop a form of addiction to this type of food?
The first addiction we have is that of eating because our survival depends on it. Thanks to this, we have addictions for other things: cigarettes, alcohol, games, drugs… As soon as there is pleasure, there is a risk of addiction. Junk food is just one of the elements that can make us crave excessive consumption. For there to be addiction, there must be signs of withdrawal. With cigarettes and drugs, it is easily visible. With junk food, it shows less. Be careful with the word addiction.
– When does consumption become excessive?
It depends on everyone, but when you exceed three meals in a week, which has fourteen, then you can say that you are overdoing it. The more you introduce this diet, the more difficult it is to get out of it. Some people don’t cook and order a lot. They are sure to have junk food all the time. It takes effort to prepare to eat well and it is not possible to find good food outside every day. On the other hand, it is quite possible to indulge yourself by eating at home with sauces, aromatic herbs… You can eat vegetables, starchy foods, meat in sauce. What is necessary is to control the quantities of food that are used.
– What are the risks of such a diet?
There are risks of overweight, metabolic risks, of developing high blood pressure…. There are many risks that come with the time and frequency of such feeding. In the short term, there is not much risk, although some people will quickly clog their arteries and others more slowly.
– Can we let go during the summer holidays?
If the holidays last fifteen days, three weeks, it is possible to let go if you resume your habits afterwards, without problem. Vacations should not be demonized. If this period remains short, there is no repercussion on health, unless you are sick and have hypertension or diabetes. In these cases, it’s a little different and you have to be more careful.
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