A weird thing in America is the numerous questionable holidays. First there was National Hotdog Day, and a week ago, the whole country celebrated National Junk Food Day. July 21 of each year is the perfect excuse to indulge in all kinds of junk food (it earned that moniker for a reason,) and while we’re all told as kids that all kinds of junk food are bad, some adults also find it hard to resist a pack of Lay’s, and who hates Oreos?

Truth is, there’s no known origin to National Junk Food Day. It’s a fairly new holiday, though, and was mentioned by the Huffington Post in 2009.

Even at that point, the website noted that the origins of the holiday were questionable. People binge, and so there’s a need to celebrate apparently.

And yet, there is a benefit to eating junk food, at least according to some experts. Sarah Romotky, registered dietician and senior director of nutrition communications for the International Food Communications says saving a bar of Twinkie as a special treat may help avoid the guilt and in the long run will establish healthy habits. Alternatively, one should not overindulge. Checking on labels should become a habit, and watch out for these three things when you need your junk food fix.

Artificial sweeteners

Satisfy your sweet tooth without calories?

Artificial Sweeteners give you all the benefits of sugar without the gut-busting consequences. It's the perfect win-win. Except when it's not. Artificial sweeteners have been shrouded in controversy ever since saccharin, the first no-cal sweetener, was discovered in 1878.

Studies spanning the past 40 years have suggested that sugar substitutes may be 'potentially helpful,' 'potentially harmful,' or have 'unclear effects' on your health.

But recent studies at the HeartMD Institute found that people who frequently consume sugar substitutes may be at an increased risk of excessive weight gain, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)

BHT and BHA are antioxidant preservatives used in cereals, potato chips and chewing gum to keep them from going rancid.

The Department of Health and Human Services pegged them as known carcinogens, but, mysteriously, the FDA allows them. The additives negatively impact sleep and appetite, and have been associated with liver and kidney damage, hair loss, behavioral problems, and cancer.

Trans fat

Trans fat, according to the Harvard Health Publications, is the “worst type of dietary fat.” On food label ingredient lists, this manufactured substance is typically listed as "partially hydrogenated oil." FDA has only said that "intake of trans fats should be as low as possible."

Trans fats are particularly pernicious to your health because they raise your bad LDL cholesterol and also lower your good HDL cholesterol. (Saturated fats — the kind trans fats are trying to mimic — raise both your LDL and HDL.) That takes a toll on your heart.

In a step in the right direction, the FDA has announced a final rule requiring food manufacturers to list trans fat on Nutrition Facts labels.

Most packaged foods come with these three ingredients. So you might want to think twice on your next trip to the market aisle.
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