How many times should you eat junk food?

Question: How many times should you eat junk food?
- Keywords:
  fast food,
  nutrition
Asked by mirali09 to Liz, Emilie, Diabetes UK, Ashley, Ask Sam, Sarah on 11 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by faiza099.
- Emilie Combet answered on 11 Mar 2014:
  
  It pretty much depends on the context. In our society, we do not have to eat “junk food”, but it is a choice we make. There is plenty of healthier alternatives, and we have the opportunity to make healthier choices. So we ought to eat it as little of it as possible. However, occasionally is fine, as part of a balanced diet (looking at all the meals in one week, for example).
  In a different context, when food is (truly) scarce, people have less choice. Then food quality becomes secondary, what matters is obtaining energy from which ever source is available to satisfy immediate needs. However, it is very unlikely that “junk food” would be the only choice remaining in that situation.
- Ashley - Character answered on 11 Mar 2014:
  
  It’d be nice to say never. There’d be nothing wrong with never eating it. But it’s not that simple. Some people don’t have a choice. Some people don’t know what’s good for them and what’s not. Also, what counts as ‘junk’? A burger, in and of itself, isn’t the worst thing in the world. If you grilled a burger at home and had it with roast vegetables and salad that’d be alright. But it’s all the frying and the fat involved in a McDonald’s burger and chips that’s the problem.
  So – I agree with Emilie. Now and then you can eat it, but if you’re eating it more than once a week you probably want to cut back.
- Ask Sam answered on 11 Mar 2014:
  
  That’s a really interesting question!
  The main purpose of eating food is to provide energy or fuel for our bodies. The better the food, the more efficiently our bodies will work, so it makes sense to eat fresh, natural foods in order to stay healthy. But it’s also a question of balance. Obviously, it’s not a great idea to eat junk food all the time, or even every day. But deciding to be very strict about what we eat, when we eat and only eating a tiny amount can signal the beginning of an eating disorder that, without help, could get out of control. So, a diet that is mainly healthy with occasional junk food is probably the best balance. You can read more about eating issues and food at:
  
  http://www.childline.org.uk/explore/mentalhealth/pages/eating-problems.aspx
  
  Take care,
  Sam

Question: How many times should you eat junk food?

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