Indian street food is well-known throughout the world among food enthusiasts. Indians can always consume a lot of spicy and delicious food at any time of day and still have room for dessert. Junk food is undoubtedly alluring. You may believe that consuming a tiny amount of such junk food won’t do any harm, but is this truly the case?
They might appear to be healthy and in moderation, they might be, but not if they become a routine habit.
It is crucial for all of us to understand what junk food is before moving on to the list of junk foods in India.
Junk foods are basically characterized as processed foods with little to no nutritional value. Junk food products have a very high-calorie content. In reality, they are cooked in a way that may seem tasty to us but is actually bad for our health.
Despite being so unhealthy, many individuals regularly eat junk food due to its alluring appearance. However, you should be aware that a healthy option is always available. You can make the same dish at your home by using healthy ingredients in it.
But in his article, you will also find some junk foods which have a good amount of healthy ingredients which you might not be knowing. Because of this you must read this entire article.
Now let us move further and know about the various junk food items available in India.
40 Unhealthy Junk Food List in India (Complete List)
1. White Bread
It is one of the foods that Indians eat most. White bread is a processed product that has poor-quality carbohydrates and could have extra sugar. White bread consumption can result in significant blood sugar increases that are harmful to your health.
The majority of the morning and evening tea snacks are derived from foods produced from white bread. White bread lacks the majority of nutrients and has no nutritional fibre. Therefore if you eat it, make sure you eat it in moderation.
2. Chips
India, like the rest of the globe, adores Lays. However, Indian Lays have improved, and the majority of people will tell you that Magic Masala is by far the best flavour that India has to offer. On the other hand there are many other brands in India that sell all kinds of chips and snacks.
Consumption of such items shouldn’t become a habit because it could negatively affect your general health.
When consumed in strict proportion, it is not particularly dangerous, but regular consumption can result in an excess of toxic elements and a deficiency in vitamins and minerals.
3. Pakora
Pakora is a spicy fritter of Indian origins. In India, they are sold by street vendors. It comprises veggies like potatoes and onions. Pakoras, which can be frequently seen on every street corner in India, are essentially batter-fried veggies that are heavily spiced.
They go well with a steaming cup of chai as an afternoon snack. However, let me point out that Pakoras raise bad cholesterol while lowering good cholesterol, which causes obesity and heart disease.
4. Potato Chips
One of the most widely accessible snack foods is potato chips, not just in India but around the world. Despite being one of the worst junk food items imaginable, they are enjoyed by everyone.
There are many different types of junk food ingredients in potato chips. They are produced from potatoes, which are heavy in fat, and then deep-fried in oil before being heavily salted. To be exact, a serving of chips contains 535 calories, 36 grams of fat, and 525 grams of salt
5. Bhujia
It is a well-known crispy snack from the city of Bikaner in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. It is made from gramme flour, moth bean flour, and spices. It has a pale golden hue. Every Indian household has bhujia as it is one of the most well-liked snack foods.
However, let me tell you something that, One tablespoon of bhujia has 78 calories. I am sure it will come as a shock to you. One bowl of bhujia, which rapidly adds roughly 1000 calories to your body, can be consumed by one person at a time.
Your health may suffer greatly as a result of this. Bhujia is extremely unhealthy since they are deep-fried in oil that is several months old and preserved chemically so that they can stay fresh for several months. Long-term use of these can result in diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and both.
6. Jalebis
In North India, jalebi is served with flavours like kewra (scented water). These indulgent treats, sometimes known as Indian doughnuts, are fried dough spirals drenched in a sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom.
They are also consumed with rabdi, a dish made with sweetened condensed milk, for breakfast in the North. However one must eat it in moderation as it can cause diabetes and other health issues.
7. Mirchi Bajji
Popular South Indian street cuisine known as Mirchi bajji is produced by frying green chillies that have been battered. These are also known as chilli bajji in general, milagai bajji in Tamil, and mirapakaya bajji in Telugu.
The words “Mirchi” and “bajji” both refer to deep-fried fritters composed of gramme flour. These tiny fried treats can be found all over India, and although they go by many local names, everyone adores them for their fried chilli shell and spicy, vegetable-filled interior.
8. Bhakarwadi
In Maharashtra, India, Bhakarwadi is a common savoury dish that is typically consumed as a light snack or during tea time. These little spirals are the ideal balance of salty and sweet.
They originate from central India, specifically Maharashtra. They are stuffed with a distinctive mixture of coconut, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds to create an addictive snack that may be enjoyed at any time.
9. Banana Chips
Despite their initial appearance, banana chips can be incredibly calorie, saturated fat, and added sugar dense. You can look for dehydrated, non-fried, sugar-free banana chips as a healthy substitute.
If you choose to consume banana chips, watch how much you eat. These are not your typical chips. These chips, are native to Kerala, a Southern coastal region, and are cooked in coconut oil to give them an exceptional flavour.
10. Medu Vada
One of the most delicious and popular southern meals is medu vada. Black grams are used to make these vadas. They are high in protein, but your body finds it challenging to convert them into more digestible forms. As a result, it harms digestion and results in health issues.
There is delicious lentil batter that has been deep-fried and is frequently eaten with hot sauces like chutney and vegetable stew called sambar. There is nothing more significant than it! However excess of it may lead to certain health issues.
11. Momos
Momo is little dumplings formed by enclosing a scoop of filling in the dough. Momo is often steamed, although it can also occasionally be fried or steam-fried. As an intensely flavoured broth is produced and sealed inside the wrappers, the meat or vegetable fillings become yummy.
Maida is used to prepare momos and it contains starch. This starch can raise cholesterol levels as well as weight. In addition to these issues, if you eat it excessively it can also result in nervous system abnormalities, excessive sweating, chest pain, nausea, and a faster heartbeat.
12. Masala Peanuts
In India, masala peanuts are a flavorful and well-known dish. It lowers blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels. It also contains vitamins that enhance memory and promote brain health.
It is abundant in vitamins and minerals like calcium and potassium that are good for the health of the heart and muscles. These nutrients are crucial throughout pregnancy as well. Despite having a very high-calorie count, peanuts’ strong protein and fibre content may help you feel fuller for a longer period of time.
13. Khakhra
It is a circular, crisp roti that is typically consumed as a snack. The community of Gujaratis loves it a lot. You can’t have just one of these cookies, which are made with wheat flour.
Eating khakhra is beneficial since it contains a lot of dietary fibre, vitamins, and iron. It aids in lowering cholesterol and is advantageous for weight loss. These are popular dishes among diabetics and those who value their health.
14. Noodles
Indians really love noodles and we personally like them but the majority of quick noodles are low in calories and many consider them very unhealthy, whatever might be their opinion people in India eat it on regular basis.
They are also infamous for having high sodium, fat, and carbohydrate content. This Instant noodles can provide you with some micronutrients, but they are deficient in essential vitamins like A, C, B12, and others.
15. Chakli
It’s a crunchy snack that many Indian homes provide with evening tea. Additionally, it contains magnesium, potassium, and iron, which are beneficial for the heart, immune system, and digestive systems.
They are known as murukkus by others. It is perfect to include in a weight loss diet since it is high in protein and fibre, in addition to having a high iron content, which boosts energy levels.
16. Vada Pav
Pav is made from bread and vada means potato filling. The fact that the vada is deep-fried is a big issue. What is the issue? Potatoes (Aloo) are bad for persons with diabetes, heart problems, and obesity since they are heavy in simple carbs, which can cause weight gain.
No matter how delicious vada pav may seem, consuming fried batata vada that has been filled with potatoes can have a negative impact on your health. Around 300 calories are included in one vada pav. For instance, vada pav is considered junk food due to its high carbohydrate content from the potato and maida in the pav.
17. Pastries
A dough comprised of flour, water, and shortening that can be savoury or sweet is used to create pastry. These ultra-processed selections are devoid of nutrients, high in sugar, and low in fibre, and preservatives.
Refined sugar, wheat flour, and excess fat are used to make the majority of baked sweet desserts. Pastries have little nutritional value and are heavy in sugar and saturated fat. As a result, when consumed in large quantities, it can possibly result in diabetes mellitus.
18. Pizza
Pizza is a dish of Italian origins that consists of a flattened disc of bread dough covered with various ingredients such as olive oil, oregano, tomato, olives, mozzarella or other cheese, and many more. It is swiftly baked in a wood-fired oven (typically in a commercial setting) and served fresh.
Although pizza is one of the most popular foods among both children and adults, it is bad for your health. But let me tell you that, Pizza can be made healthier even though many frozen and fast-food variants tend to be high in calories, fat, sodium, and other unhealthy elements.
19. Hot Dog
A hot dog is a snack item made up of grilled or steamed sausage served in a bun slit. Meat is the main component of hot dogs. Garlic, salt, paprika, and other spices and binders are used as ingredients in hot dogs cooked from pounded chicken, hog, or beef meat. People in India, enjoy eating it, however, due to the high calories present in it, one should eat it in moderation.
20. Yoghurt
Protein, calcium, vitamins, or probiotics, which can improve the gut microbiota, can all be found in high concentrations in yoghurt. These may protect teeth and bones and guard against stomach issues. On a plan to lose weight, low-fat yoghurt can be a helpful source of protein.
The immune system may be strengthened by the probiotics present in it. Yoghurt has been shown to help with weight control, lower the risk of heart disease, and prevents osteoporosis.
But you might not be knowing that it is considered as junk food because it is high in sugar and contains unhealthy additives.
21. Ice Cream
A few key elements found in ice cream include calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin A. Ice cream is a food that is high in calcium, which supports healthy metabolism and keeps your body healthy. You will also feel satisfied for a longer period of time if you add higher-fat ice cream.
While all of these elements are essential for health, ice cream comes with a significant amount of fat and added sugar. Cream present contains a significant amount of saturated fat.
22. Samosa
A popular deep-fried snack throughout Asia, the Middle East, and India is the samosa, which is filled with potatoes. Samosas are fantastic because they have a crunchy exterior that develops while frying and a flavorful inside filling.
The components used to make it are all fresh, including refined wheat flour, cumin, cooked potatoes, peas, salt, chillies, spices, and vegetable oil or ghee. A small samosa contains no other nutrients and roughly 240 calories, along with a tonne of carbohydrates and saturated fats.
23. Pasta
It contains a lot of carbohydrates, which might be harmful if you eat them in significant quantities. Additionally, it contains gluten, a protein that creates problems for people who are sensitive to it. However, pasta can offer some elements that are beneficial to health.
Grain, which is used to make pasta, is one of the fundamental food groups in a balanced diet, along with vegetables, fruits, fish, and fowl. If it’s prepared from whole grains, it can provide you with fibre in addition to being a healthy source of energy. That may decrease cholesterol and aid with gastrointestinal issues.
24. Burger
Burgers are a traditional summer barbeque snack, despite the fact that many people try to avoid them due to their high-calorie and fast food reputation. Burgers have significant levels of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Burger consumption raises blood cholesterol levels, which raises your risk of developing heart conditions. However, the good news is that burgers may be a component of a wholesome, well-balanced diet, particularly if you experiment with a range of lean protein sources and nutrient-dense toppings.
25. Chocolates
One of the most popular processed foods that are also nutritionally balanced is dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that will keep you protected from the sun. They improve the blood flow to the skin, which increases hydration and skin density.
However, dark chocolate increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin when consumed in moderation. That could, at least temporarily, stop diabetes from developing. Additionally, because of how intense their flavour is, you can’t eat too many of them. So, when you go shopping the next time, choose chocolate bars made with 70% chocolate.
26. Popcorn
As a healthy alternative to high-calorie snacks, many individuals start eating popcorn since it is high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. However, Pre-made popcorn frequently has a lot of sodium or salt in it.
Consuming much salt can result in high blood pressure and other health issues. Popcorn can become an unhealthy snack when additional butter, sugar, and salt are added. Depending on how it is made, it might be a nutritious snack.
27. Pancakes
You may incorporate an occasional dish of pancakes into your diet with smart meal planning. These are essential sources for maintaining the health of your muscles and nerves as well as your bones.
This is because, the majority of your daily calcium consumption will come from milk, which is a component of pancakes.
However, the other ingredients also include modest amounts of calcium to give you an extra boost. Pancakes can, however, also contain significant amounts of fat, calories, and sodium.
28. Coke
Our drinks frequently have sugar, which has kilojoules. In moderation, sugar is acceptable, but too much of it is bad for everyone. Weight gain can result from consuming too many kilojoules, particularly sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Your risk of type 2 diabetes could rise by more than 20% even if you only drink one or two cokes every day.
Consuming sugar is connected to heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess body fat. No doubt, we all enjoy drinking coke, however, we should keep these risk factors in our mind before drinking it again!
29. Aloo Tikki
Aloo means “potato” and Tikki means “patties or cutlets”. These Indian-style potato patties are pan-fried or shallow-fried to perfection till crisp and are made with boiling and mashed potatoes, spices, and herbs.
The delicious weight-loss alternative Tikki can be eaten as a meal or a snack. This patty is a good source of protein, fibre, and complex carbs. The presence of carbohydrates in it prolongs your feeling of fullness.
30. Kachoris
kachori is a hot, deep-fried food of Indian origins. Kachoris, which are popular throughout India, is eaten for breakfast or as a snack. Before samosas, this spicy, deep-fried snack was very popular in India.
Kachoris are manufactured from refined flour and come with a variety of fillings. This dish is made up of plain flour, or maida, which is a refined carb that should be consumed in moderation.
31. Kulcha
Kulcha is an Indian flatbread. kulchas are prepared with maida or refined white flour. Consuming maida may boost blood sugar levels, which may be uncomfortable for diabetics. This meal has a lot of calories, thus eating it frequently can lead to unhealthful weight gain.
32. Sooji Halwa
The traditional, exquisite North Indian dessert known as suji ka halwa is made with fine semolina or cream of wheat (farina), sugar, and ghee.
Sooji contains a lot of fibre, magnesium, and iron. This may aid in controlling the body’s blood sugar levels. This dish is incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, thiamine, folate, and vitamin B.
33. Cheese
Even though it might seem “tacky,” pizza is insufficient without cheese topping. cheese creates all kinds of food that are plentiful and flavorful, not only pizza. Cheese is a simple addition to regular meals that you can make without stress. They are an excellent source of calcium and lean protein.
The best type of cheese to choose from is aged, hard cheese like Parmesan or sharp cheddar. You can consume them along with almonds or another product to enhance their benefits. You will undoubtedly receive a vitamin boost from it.
34. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Whole wheat or oat-based chocolate chip cookies are a great source of nutritional fibre and vitamin B-complex. However, since the majority of chocolate chip cookies are prepared with refined flour and are loaded with sugar and hydrogenated fats, you should practise moderation when consuming them.
Preservatives and artificial sweeteners make chocolate chip cookies unhealthy and increase their calorie content unnecessarily.
35. Doughnut
The food item known as a doughnut is formed of fried leavened dough. It is a common sweet snack that can be made at home or bought in bakeries, supermarkets, food stands, and franchised speciality retailers.
It is produced in a variety of ways. Although doughnuts have between 250 and 550 calories per serving, the actual issue is the 15 to 30 grammes of sugar they contain. So one should eat it within limits.
36. Puri
Unleavened whole-wheat flour is used to make the deep-fried bread known as puri, which was first produced on the Indian subcontinent. It is consumed as a snack, light meal, or for breakfast.
It can also be eaten with sweet meals, but it is typically served with a savoury curry or bhaji, such as puri bhaji. They are deep-fried despite being made using whole wheat flour. Thus you must consume it in moderation
37. Pani puri
Pani puris are something that we all adore and believe in. Potato-chickpea mash and exceedingly tangy water that has been generously flavoured with mint leaves make up the spicy filling. Pani puri is more than just another sort of street food to Indians because it symbolises each state’s distinct culture.
Pani Puri is healthful if it is made at home or eaten in a healthy environment. In terms of the advantages we receive from its components, mint leaves, which are used to make the pani or water of pani puri, have anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties.
Mint leaves also contain vitamins A and C. The pani for this meal also contains tamarind or imli. The fibre included in imli is heart-healthy and can lower cholesterol. However, Make sure you check to see if the person serving it has maintained his hygiene by looking at the clean gloves he is wearing.
38. Waffles
Even though they are tasty, waffles aren’t exactly healthy. They frequently contain foods like white flour, butter, and a lot of sugar that experts advise against eating in excess. These comfort meals have an appealing flavour profile, but they are frequently made with refined white flour and topped with butter and syrup, which is effectively just sugar.
This means that waffles are low in protein and fibre but high in calories, fat, and sugar. Depending on the toppings you choose, waffles might include a significant amount of simple carbohydrates, which can be digested quickly and don’t keep you satisfied for very long.
39. Sandwich
For several solid reasons, a healthy sandwich is a lunchtime favourite: it’s simple to pack, inexpensive to cook, and the ideal meal of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, fibre-rich vegetables, and lean protein. Sandwiches come in both nutritious and less healthy varieties.
There are some that are superior to others, just as processed boxed food. Whether the sandwich is healthy or not, depends on the type of bread from which the sandwich is formed. For instance, wholegrain or sourdough bread are healthier options than white bread.
40. Candy
Candy, often known as sweets or lollipops, is made primarily of sugar. It is estimated that 18 grams of candy have 70 calories in them. Candies which are available in the market without sugar, sometimes still have carbs in them.
Furthermore, some sugar-free candies have a lot of calories and high levels of saturated or trans fats. Therefore it is necessary that you pay close attention to portion sizes and refrain from consuming trans fats, and keep saturated fat to no more than 6% (13 grams) of total calories per serving.
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Conclusion:
So this is the complete list of Junk food in India, We hope that you liked this post and if you did then please share it with your friends. If we have missed any food then do let us know in the comments section below.
Last but not least since they are very delicious but some food is considered unhealthy so please consume them in moderation.
