Junk food is a slang word for foods with limited nutritional value. Salted snack foods, sweets, gum, most sweet desserts, fried fast food and carbonated drinks are some of the major junk foods. Generally, they offer little in terms of protein, vitamins or minerals and lots of calories from sugar or fat. The term "empty calories" reflects the lack of nutrients.

Here are a few simple alternatives to consider for everyday junk:

Cookies & Biscuits
Any cookies with peanut butter, nuts and/or "double" anything are your worst choice. Just two generic peanut butter cookies contain 200 calories and 11 grams of fat.
Alternative: Check for lower fat biscuits, how about something with oats or fruit?

Crisps
Best avoided if possible...crisps are full of saturated fat.
Alternative: If you need your fix, opt for corn-style crisps, which contain less calories and fat than standard crisps.

Pizza
An individual Pizza contains about 1,000 calories and 42 grams of fat.
Alternative: Go for pizza with a thinner crust and packed with vegetables instead.

French fries
A small serving of french fries has around 227 calories and a whopping 11 grams of fat.
Alternative: Try making your own at home, buy low fat oven chips.

Cake
Cakes and pies with nuts, cheese and/or cream are the worst choices. One slice of cheesecake with strawberry topping contains on average 440 calories and 28 grams of fat.
Alternative: Opt for something plain instead.

Hamburgers
Again, less is more. Anything with cheese, sauces and extras is to be avoided.
Alternative: A plain hamburger has only 240 calories and 8 grams of fat.

Fizzy Drinks
Carbonated drinks are packed with sugar, which will go straight to your hips and rot your teeth.
Alternative: Try a glass of water, much more refreshing!
