ARTICLE 0N "THE HEALTH HAZARDS CAUSED BY JUNK FOOD".

JUNK FOOD – MORE THAN A HEALTH HAZARD Dhawananbm''s article clearly points out all the ills and hazards about "junk food". I must say that we are all aware of how unhealthy these so called foods could be. Firstly there is a question about hygiene of the food outlet. Then there are issues about what it actually contains. That is why we call it junk in the first place. I am of the opinion that people often look at only the health hazards when it comes to “Junk Food" but I wish to submit to you some social issues that come with Junk Food.You may think that I am a bit extreme in my views and one of those fundamentalists and a prophet of doom. I am a fundamentalist yes but not a prophet by any means. I believe it was Emerson who said that home is not where you live but where people understand you. How very true. But our fast paced "life styles" fuelled by consumerism and materialism have brought about "dysfunctional families". We are all held bent in running the rat race and getting there fast. We want everything NOW. Fast cars, fast computers, instant coffee/tea, internet that download files instantly and "fast food", the list goes on. We have become like little children who cry out “I really don''t know what I want but I want it now!" Fast food is the natural by product of " I want it now society" No one wants to invest time on anything and even for relationships, which I consider it to be the single most important thing in our lives. One has to spend time with people to understand them- Our spouses, parents, children, relations, customers , employers etc. In the good old days the mother of the home got up early in the morning ( I am talking about an Asian household here) and prepared the breakfast almost in a religious and ceremonial manner. It was done with love and care. Our parents would offer the last minute advice which was sometimes quite important and sometimes simple and short but that which demonstrated the love and concern of a parent. Then the mother spent time in the kitchen preparing the spices for various curries and the rice meal for lunch. Once again late lunch on weekdays was a "meal graced with pleasant conversation". Evening was a family time with the father where we shared our troubles, joys etc with the rest of the family. The Chinese restaurant was for special occasions. We ordered and we waited patiently for 20 minutes or even for 30 for food and we talked about so many things. Unfortunately things have changed so much. Having time to "cook" in this manner and having domestic help is a luxury today. Life''s demands have compelled us to rush and do the 100 meter dash - 24 hours a day so we have little time to wait for something to boil and cook. “Fry it fast or change the menu" that is our battle cry. So the mother who has to also work to pay for the mortgage has to prepare something fast and rush for her job. “So what?” the mother rationalizes “I will give them what they like, Sausages may be full of junk but it sure tastes good. After all as a mother I do not like to see left over food”. She has no option but to turn to fast foods that attack this inconvenient sensation called hunger. The marketers and advertisers have also picked on this current trend and harp on convenience. When it comes to a family occasion as parents we think “Wow it is time to go out sit at a fancy restaurant spend time talking to each other and enjoy a good meal with the rest of the family”. The parents name a good restaurant in town and they are drowned by the " oh no" cries of the children who want to go to a fast food chain because they have seen it on TV, it is cool and furthermore you get free tickets to the popular musical show. The parents have been outvoted 4:1 topped with the famous line that always win the argument " You don''s" The father who is going through premature mid life crisis and the mother who is so insecure about her relationship with her children give in. Father looks at his wallet and remembers his credit card balance and decides that it is a good idea after all. So the family races to the drive through the order lane and munch burgers and fries in the car.. So no quality time spent together whatsoever. Yes we spend very little time with the rest of family. We think that there is no need to do so until we reach an age where we have to raise our own. At that time we will realize that we had missed out so much during our earlier days. Life unfortunately does not come with a manual. Today some of us find it difficult to relate to their kids. The children find it impossible to approach their parents when they have a problem. They do not know how. Can you imagine taking a client to a fast food outlet? I guess none of us would do so. The concept of fast food will ultimately hurt our society in the end. Family that eats good food together stays together.