What is the difference between healthy food and junk food?

Healthy food provides essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water that help the body grow, repair tissues, produce energy, and stay healthy. Examples include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, milk, eggs, nuts, and millets.

Junk food is high in calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats but low in essential nutrients. Regular consumption of foods such as chips, soft drinks, burgers, pizzas, candies, and packaged snacks can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and nutrient deficiencies. A balanced diet should include mostly healthy foods while limiting junk food.