HDC Weekly Debate: Junk Food

[_____V_____]

Pros -
Ready to prepare/eat anytime, anywhere.
Convenient.
Mostly prepared out of healthy food.
Nourishing to fat-deficient and carbohydrate-deficient people.
Tasty.


Cons -

Little to no nutritional value.
High in saturated fats, salt, sugar, fattening cheese.
Little to no fruits and fibre.
Uses flavor enhancers which can be harmful to health.
Can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure & cardiac problems.


So, what's your take?

Junk food junkie, or indulge yourself once in a while, or stay away from it altogether?

Have your say.

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

I won't eat fast food.

I am pro fast food, it needs to be taxed heavily though.

15% tax on fast food, lower prices of fruits and vegetables by 15%

everyone wins, except for the fatties. fat people need to start paying for the heavy strain they put on the health care system.

[TheWickerFan]

I can take or leave junk food. I don't eat at fast food restaurants, but I understand why people do; it's cheap and convenient.

I think murderdoll was right when she said there should be a decrease in the price of fruits and vegetables; when it costs twice as much to buy orange juice instead of soda is it any wonder a lot of people opt for the soda?

[scouse mac]

15% tax on fast food, lower prices of fruits and vegetables by 15%

everyone wins, except for the fatties. fat people need to start paying for the heavy strain they put on the health care system.


Good idea, you want it to eat shit, you have to pay extra for it.



Im an occasional fast food eater, there is always a time and place for it but could never do it often. Probably go for a BK or pizza if given the choice, avoid McDs like the plague.

[nightmare_of _death]

try to avoid junk food, but a lot of the time, its just there so i find myself eating it sometimes. I don't really like fast food either, but i eat it sometimes, and i normally always order the same thing at fast food, I stay away from the burgers n such, i order the chicken nuggets normally lol

[FreddyMyers]

0 fast food and shit like that but have a horrible sweet tooth, makes me want sour patch kids right now. %15 tax raise on fast food is a great idea. If only the suits in DC were HDC members......

[bwind22]

"The food on your table is more plastic than protein."

-Greg Graffin, Bad Religion

[cheebacheeba]

I assume we're talking about take out? Pizza/burgers and the like?
It's about ratio.
Sure, the combination of sugar, fat and deep drying can be often appealing to the tastebuds and even sought out...
I eat the shit, won't deny it.
I try not to have any sugary drinks with it at all when I do.
Though yeah, I think you can pretty much eat it as you like as long as your exercise routine and/or other areas of your diet "outweigh" it.
I try to make sure to eat a lot of leafy green vegetables, and less meat.
Nothing fat saturated or fried at home.

[ferretchucker]

We tend to get a take away about once a week. I mean, it tastes good and fills you up. But by no means should it even match up to the amount of nutritional food you eat.

[_____V_____]

Well, here are some very popular (and delicious!) Indian junk food -


Paav Bhaji

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GpKo9KJ401U/STi-n4k17XI/AAAAAAAAGDE/k-xN-D2MXj4/s800/pavbhaji.jpg

roughly translated - Paav means "bread", and "bhaji" is the curry, usually potato and peas based.

To make "bhaji", potatoes are mashed on a flat pan called a tava, and made into a thick gravy after adding diced tomatoes, finely grilled onions, green peas, capsicums (green pepper) and other vegetables like cauliflower and carrots. A special blend of spices simply called the "pav bhaji masala" is added to this thick gravy. The gravy is then allowed to simmer on the pan for a few minutes and is served hot in a flat dish with a tablespoon of butter on top.

The "pav" (bread) is roasted on the same pan with an ample amount of butter and a "masala" (usually chilli powder and salt). The Bhaji is garnished with diced onions and a slice of lemon and served with the pav.

In restaurants some more varieties are available including Cheese Pav Bhaji with added cheese on top, "Paneer" Pav Bhaji with added paneer (cottage cheese), Mushroom Pav Bhaji, "Khada" Pav Bhaji (vegetables not mashed, but small pieces cooked with masala gravy), and Dryfruit Pav Bhaji with added dryfruits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pav_Bhaji

[TheWickerFan]

Oh my God, that looks so delicious! Now I'm starving!:(

[_____V_____]

Bhel Puri

http://blog.pensketch.com/img/bhelpuri.jpg

http://store.tandoori.lu/images/hbhelpuri.jpg

A dish made of puffed rice, mashed potatoes, tamarind sauce, chopped tomatoes and onions for toppings, and plenty of other assorted toppings.

Most recipes include puffed rice, "sev" (a fried snack shaped like thin noodles made from "besan" flour), and "mixture" (a mix of different types of fried snacks mixed together), as the base of the snack. Other commonly used ingredients include tomatoes, onions and chilis added to the base; northern recipes also add boiled and cut potatoes.

Different chutneys impart a sweet or spicy flavour. There are two popular chutneys used, a dark purple sweet one made mainly of dates and tamarind, and a green spicy chutney made of coriander leaves and green chillies.

Another variation is to sprinkle the chat with chunks of diced sweet mango. The finished snack is often garnished with a combination of diced onions, coriander leaves and chopped green chilis. It is sometimes served with "papri puris", a deep fried small round and crispy wheat bread. The result is a sour/pungent/sweet tasting evening snack that is a treat for the taste buds and a good source of carbohydrates and minerals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhelpuri

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

Well, here are some very popular (and delicious!) Indian junk food -


Paav Bhaji

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GpKo9KJ401U/STi-n4k17XI/AAAAAAAAGDE/k-xN-D2MXj4/s800/pavbhaji.jpg

roughly translated - Paav means "bread", and "bhaji" is the curry, usually potato and peas based.

To make "bhaji", potatoes are mashed on a flat pan called a tava, and made into a thick gravy after adding diced tomatoes, finely grilled onions, green peas, capsicums (green pepper) and other vegetables like cauliflower and carrots. A special blend of spices simply called the "pav bhaji masala" is added to this thick gravy. The gravy is then allowed to simmer on the pan for a few minutes and is served hot in a flat dish with a tablespoon of butter on top.

The "pav" (bread) is roasted on the same pan with an ample amount of butter and a "masala" (usually chilli powder and salt). The Bhaji is garnished with diced onions and a slice of lemon and served with the pav.

In restaurants some more varieties are available including Cheese Pav Bhaji with added cheese on top, "Paneer" Pav Bhaji with added paneer (cottage cheese), Mushroom Pav Bhaji, "Khada" Pav Bhaji (vegetables not mashed, but small pieces cooked with masala gravy), and Dryfruit Pav Bhaji with added dryfruits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pav_Bhaji

k I'm ordering indian food now... :p

[_____V_____]

Paani Puri

http://spicycaterers.com/images/PaniPuri_fs.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3430512923_3c292dc40b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/467053070_160b39694b.jpg


Also known as "gol gappa" or "gup chup". It comprises a round, hollow puri, fried crisp and filled with a mixture of water, tamarind, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion and chickpeas. It is small enough to fit completely in one's mouth.

The name gol gappa refers to the fact that crisp sphere (gol) is placed in the mouth and eaten (gappa) at one time, without biting. Urdu comes from the Hindi word for water and puri (or poori) is the name of an Indian bread made by frying dough in oil.

Typically, panipuris are served with 5–8 in a portion on a triangular "plate" made from dry sal leaves. Some places offer panipuris pre-made into a whole plate, but the popular way for them to be served is one at a time from a road-side vendor. Customers hold a small plate and stand around the server's cart. The server then starts making one panipuri at a time and gives one to each individual. Panipuri servers have to remember each customer's preferences such as sweetened pani, more filling or extra onions, for example. The server must also keep count of how many panipuris each person has had. Panipuri servers are renowned for remembering choices and numbers served, even when serving an entire crowd.

Traditionally, panipuris are eaten by placing the entire puri into the mouth in one go and biting into it. This releases a barrage of different tastes. Panipuris may be finished off with a cup of the pani, sweetened or made tarter to taste.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panipuri

[_____V_____]

Chhole Bhaturey

http://www.woodlandsusa.com/images/chana_bhatura.JPG


A combination of "chhole" (spicy chick peas) and fried breads called "bhatoora" (made of maida flour). It is mainly eaten in North India and along with "chhole" seems to be have originated in Punjab.

The "bhatoora" is usually quite large in size. If you are a heavy eater, 2 of those will fill you up entirely. Just to give you an idea -

http://www.cimg.in/images/2009/11/20/03/2991356_20091109202_large.jpg

It is a street food sold by vendors and is commonly eaten for breakfast. Chole bhature are very popular in major urban cities.

It is a heavy breakfast which is generally accompanied with "lassi". There are different varieties of "bhature" available in the market such as "aloo bhatura" (bhatura filled with boiled potato), "paneer bhatura" (bhatura filled with cottage cheese) etc. Chhole bhature are served with onions and "achar" (pickles). This dish is very popular among students at various campuses across India.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chole_bhature

[_____V_____]

In case you were wondering what a "lassi" is (as mentioned in the previous post)...


Lassi

http://navrangdairies.com/images/lassi.jpg

Strawberry-flavored -

http://www.asm.org.au/images/recipes/strawberry-lassi.jpg

Mint-flavored -

http://www.showmethecurry.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/lassi-001.jpg

It is made by blending yogurt with water or milk and Indian spices. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavored with ground roasted cumin. Sweet lassi, blended with sugar or fruits instead of spices, is also very popular.

Sweet lassi is a form of lassi flavored with sugar, rosewater and/or lemon, strawberry or other fruit juices.

Saffron lassis, which are particularly rich, are a specialty of Sindh in Pakistan and Jodhpur and Rajasthan in India.

Makkhaniya lassi is simply lassi with lumps of butter in it (makkhan is the Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and Gujarati word for butter). It is usually creamy like a milkshake.

Drinking sweet lassi can cause drowsiness, which might help people with sleep disorders.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi

[_____V_____]

More to come next time I am on.

Posting these at 17 minutes past midnight is NOT a good idea, especially when you are feeling sleepy and slobbering all over your monitor at the same time.

[ferretchucker]

A popular dish in the area where my sister goes to University is the "parmo", a piece of chicken pounded flat served with melted cheese on top and usually a variety of other topping. The way she describes it as the equivalent of a Kebab for drunks in most places, her town has the Parmo; a greasy, fatty, all around unhealthy and not too ripe tasting option that one will usually wake up with half eaten atop their chest.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Parmo.jpg

[nightmare_of _death]

In case you were wondering what a "lassi" is (as mentioned in the previous post)...


Lassi

http://navrangdairies.com/images/lassi.jpg

Strawberry-flavored -

http://www.asm.org.au/images/recipes/strawberry-lassi.jpg

Mint-flavored -

http://www.showmethecurry.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/lassi-001.jpg



It is made by blending yogurt with water or milk and Indian spices. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavored with ground roasted cumin. Sweet lassi, blended with sugar or fruits instead of spices, is also very popular.

Sweet lassi is a form of lassi flavored with sugar, rosewater and/or lemon, strawberry or other fruit juices.

Saffron lassis, which are particularly rich, are a specialty of Sindh in Pakistan and Jodhpur and Rajasthan in India.

Makkhaniya lassi is simply lassi with lumps of butter in it (makkhan is the Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and Gujarati word for butter). It is usually creamy like a milkshake.

Drinking sweet lassi can cause drowsiness, which might help people with sleep disorders.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi


sweet lassi helps with sleep disorders eh.... give me a few of them, I haven't been sleeping much at all, my insomnia doesn't bother me too much, accept the fact that sleep is needed,and i just lay in bed if i can't sleep instead of getting up and cleaning, or surfing the web. lol

All the other foods you showed V look very delicious!

Ok im hungry now, need food I haven't eaten anything since abt. 1pm yesterday, accept for a bottle of water and like 1 donut(old hostess one from breakfast all melted from the sun)

[crabapple]

I like a lassi with rose water. Strangely, many Indian places in Los Angeles are unfamiliar with this, and when I find a place that does it, it is an event. Ice cold, rose water lassi is an unbeatable hot-weather beverage. Unbelievable...

[Ferox13]

Great posts V...


Tradition Scottish food:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/1622353060_674793d985.jpg

Deep Fried Mars bar!!!

[ferretchucker]

Great posts V...


Tradition Scottish food:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/1622353060_674793d985.jpg

Deep Fried Mars bar!!!

Been there, eaten that, VLOGGED IT.

[novadawn969]

Wow... Looks tasty... :p

[ShankS]

I'll have chips and a pie or a kfc burger occasionaly if stopping for a break on the motorway.

I like to make my own versions of resturant junk food at home, so it's less fatty and I can make it taste just as good or better.

One of my faves is a huge freshly baked crispy baggette stuffed with home made meat balls and tomato salsa and mayo... delicious!! :)

[crabapple]

Wow, unreal--a comment from ShankS! Long time no hoochie poochie!

[ChronoGrl]

I am pro fast food, it needs to be taxed heavily though.

15% tax on fast food, lower prices of fruits and vegetables by 15%



Good call. It's retarded how much more expensive it is to eat healthy...

Then again, the problem at home for us is that we're too damn lazy to cook. Luckily we've found some relatively "healthy" (read: not too bad on the calorie count) and flavorful frozen dinners from Trader Joe's - Baked chicken or fish with veggies.

...

Anyway. Back on topic. I really only do junk food occasionally - chips and that kind of stuff aren't staples in our house. We're really really trying to make fruits and veggies "snacks," but at home I just try not to snack at all. If I snack, it tends to be crackers (wheat thins or graham) and cheese. And it's really only occasionally. I don't have the desire to snack like I used to.

I don't eat fast food, unless you count the occasional Subway sandwich as fast food.

But I have to admit that I have a seeeeeeeeeeeerious sweet tooth that I've had to curb in the past couple of years (used to eat lots of starburst and jelly beans by the bagful)... Also, I have a serious weakness for pizza. Just discovered a really good pizza place that delivers.

I have to say is that my absolute ABSOLUTE favorite junk food at home is nachos.
Bag of Tostidos (lime flavored ones if I'm feeling saucy)
Shredded monterary jack cheese (melted on top of said nachos in the microwave)
Salsa mixed with sour cream and tobasco

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good stuff... Been at least a year since I've indulged...

My mom makes some killer buffalo wings. Those with spinach triangles... That was my Birthday meal from her. Good stuff.


MAN now I'm getting hungry...

[ferretchucker]

Speaking of the tax on junk food, I honestly think it'd work. For as long as I can remember (and I know they were far cheaper back before I was on this Earth, but still) a portion of chips from the local chippy was £1.00. You could get a nice saveloy with it and you'd be happy. Within the last 2 years this has risen to £1.30 at ALL the local chip shops.

I don't know why, it's most likely due to the "economic downturn". Either way, I was furious. Chips at a pound were convenient. Everyone has one pound coins lurking in their pockets. It was a nice round number and it worked for everyone. But no, they couldn't leave well alone.

The short story is that even such a small rise in price has significantly affected the amount I buy chips. I never got them THAT often as it is, but now it's so rare I can't remember the last time. And I know the same applies for many of my peers. So you're right, MD my dear. TAX THEM!!!