"Junk food" vs "processed food"
Solution 1:
It cannot be used as a synonym; what can be said is that "processed food" can sometimes be not as healthy as other food. This source makes this clear.
Food processing can be as basic as:
- freezing
- canning
- baking
- drying
Not all processed foods are unhealthy but some processed foods may contain high levels of salt, sugar and fat.
What counts as processed food?
Examples of common processed foods include:
- breakfast cereals
- cheese
- tinned vegetables
- bread
- savoury snacks, such as crisps, sausage rolls, pies and pasties
- meat products, such as bacon, sausage, ham, salami and paté
- microwave meals or ready meals
- cakes and biscuits -drinks, such as milk or soft drinks
Not all processed food is a bad choice. Some foods need processing to make them safe, such as milk, which needs to be pasteurised to remove harmful bacteria.
Other foods need processing to make them suitable for use, such as pressing seeds to make oil.
It is obvious that the processes are, for the most important ones, those used for a lot of food considered healthy, and that such items as breakfast cereals, sliced bread or cheese can't be called junkfood. The nutritional value of bread products, cheese and cereals is unquestioned.
(Junk-Food Facts) "Junk food" generally refers to foods that contribute lots of calories but little nutritional value. Of course, what's considered "junk food" depends on whom you ask. Some might say pizza is junk food, for example. But I personally don't think so, since it contributes real food with nutrients, like cheese and tomato sauce. Add whole-wheat or part whole-wheat crust, plus veggies as a topping, and I'd say pizza completely exits the junk food category.