Abstinence project. Junk Food Addiction

Junk Food Addiction
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Abstract
Junk food addiction is a serious global issue as it contributes to development of diet-related health complications. A significant proportion of the global population is addicted to junk foods, a phenomenon that is largely attributed to unscrupulous advertisement of unhealthy processed foods. Junk foods constitutes of food stuffs high in calories, salt, sugar, and fat. They have minimal amounts of minerals, vitamins and proteins and health benefits to the individual consuming them. In my case, I was addicted to junk foods such as carbonated beverages, sweet desserts, candy, gum, snack foods, chips and other fried foods. My decision to abstain from junk foods was motivated by realization that I was addicted, gaining weight, exposed to numerous health risks, and that I spent a lot in junk foods. I have remained abstinent for four years, and the longest "clean time" I have experienced is two and half years; I have also had numerous relapses. I have handled cravings by delaying gratification, removing available opportunities, urge surfing and through dreams. From my experience I have learned that one can accomplish whatever they set their mind to, addictions are not permanent, suppression of a craving is not a solution, and that opportunity feeds cravings.
Across the globe, the number of people suffering from lifestyle related conditions has been on the rise. Consumption of unhealthy foods has been one of the major contributing factors to the deterioration of wellbeing especially in the developed countries. This unprecedented development has fuelled heated debates with members of the public, health professionals and scholars blaming food manufacturers and advertisers for health complications emanating from consumption of unhealthy foods. Processed food manufacturers have often targeted school-going children and unsuspecting adults by launching food campaigns that are directly aimed at these gullible customer segments. This has led to the rise of the number of individuals consuming unhealthy junk foods as gullible customers practice habits encouraged by the advertisers. This has not only resulted in junk food addiction, but it has also put individuals at increased risk of developing such diet-related conditions as obesity, and heart complications among others. Therefore, it is imperative that people with a habit of consuming junk food practice abstinence to avert the inherent heath risks CITATION Smi111 \l 1033 (Smith, 2011). This paper explores my abstinence from junk food.
Generally, junk food has been a major source of addiction to most people in the society. Junk food can be understood as food varieties that offer little or no nutritional value to the individuals consuming them. Junk food is mostly high in calories, salt, sugar, and fat among other food components that pose a serious threat to the health of an individual. Evidently, junk foods have minimal amounts of minerals, vitamins and proteins and hence, negligible health benefits to the consumers CITATION Smi111 \l 1033 (Smith, 2011). In my case, I discovered that I had been addicted to junk food. I used to regularly consume such junk foods as carbonated beverages, sweet desserts, candy, gum, snack foods, chips and other types of fried and sugary foods.
My decision to quit consumption of junk foods was motivated by several factors. To begin with, I realized that I had formed a habit of consuming junk foods whenever I was resting and that I had been addicted. Addictions have been proven to be hard to break habits and hence, I had to drop the practice before it got worse. Secondly, I discovered that I was gaining weight abnormally and that I experienced difficulties breathing whenever I participated in athletics and the only way out was by giving up junk food. Thirdly, consumption of junk food also exposed me to numerous health conditions such as cardiac arrest since I consumed foods high in cholesterol levels and fats which could dangerously accumulate in the body. Additionally, I was at risk of becoming obese due to high sugars and calories in some of the junk foods I consumed. In fact, my doctor had warned me severally to cut back on the quantity of and the frequency at which I consumed junk foods. The doctor had also pointed out that my family had a history of diabetes and high blood pressure, predisposing factors which coupled with my unhealthy lifestyle put me at increased risk of developing serious he...