Junk Food - Draft #1

Junk food is commonly used to describe any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and has low nutritional value (Smith 2005). Junk food is being blamed for the increase in childhood obesity, which can lead to further cases of heart disease and some cancer (Weekends News 2005). Junk food is also being blamed for health, litter problems and behavioral problems. However, sales of junk foods should not be banned in school canteen as junk foods are also a part of a healthy diet; it brings profit to the authorities and most importantly, the restriction could not change the eating habit of students.

Firstly, prohibition on the sale of junk food in school canteen will not change the eating habit of students. As we all know, the eating habit of every child is cultivated from home. For this reason, parents remain to be the primary guide of their kids for adopting healthy eating habits, eat and drink in moderation and do not have snack between meals (Cook 2005). Schools play an insignificant role. Apart from school canteen, students can easily get the junk foods from home or on the way to school. The eating habits of children between 12-14 years old at home that are shown in the Australian Nutrition Journal (2004) stated that only a small percentage of kids have their diet according to the recommended intake. In a nutshell, restricting choices at school is not the answer to the youth obesity problem.

In addition, a ban would reduce the profits earned markedly. By limiting the range of food, in particular the junk food, the profits earned gradually falls (School News 2005). Junk food, such as chocolate bars, crisps, and soft drinks are much cheaper than fresh foods and can help producers reap more profits. Most schools rely on profits from canteens to purchase and upgrade school’s facilities, equipments and software programs which are not covered by school fees. Sufficient profits which are earned from the sale of junk food can also be used to pay the salaries of canteen staff s as school can no longer rely on volunteer staffs. A ban would have a negative impact on education when the school facilities are not well up-to-date and adequate to foster a comfortable learning environment.

Next, junk food also plays an important role in promoting healthy diet. Junk food is not all bad. Pizza which is also considered as one kind of junk food can be nutritious (Cook 2005). Most of the sweets contain no fat can be part of a healthy diet as they are not fattening. Most dietitians agree that all food, including junk food, can become part of a healthy diet if eaten in moderation (Smith 2005). In other words, eating junk food in moderation would not harm and threaten the health of youths.In brief, consuming junk food occasionally is not a problem if we have a healthy diet at home.

In conclusion, junk food should not be banned as restricting the choices would not change the eating habit of kids. Junk food is part of a healthy diet and it brings profit to the authorities. Although it might cause littering problem, but again, I would like to strengthen my stand on the side which allow the sale of junk foods in school as the students should learn on how to make the choice to have a healthy diet. Restricting the sale of junk food will never nib the problem in the bud.