Can We Guess Your Go-To Junk Food?

By: Raj Chander
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can We Guess Your Go-To Junk Food?
Image: Elizabeth Fernandez / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

A crunchy, perfectly-salted french fry with a pillowy inside. A delicious bowl of ice cream with chocolate chunks. That perfectly crisp potato chip fresh out of the package.

These aren't the healthiest foods in the world, but they are so good. It seems almost impossible to resist these treats ... and once you start eating them, it's tough to stop. How are these foods so utterly addictive?

Simple: The snack food industry is a big business, worth over $100 billion annually around the globe. When there's that much money to be made, food companies will spend comparable amounts to earn a place in your pantry – and stomach. 

The human brain is wired to crave carbohydrates, leftover programming from a time when we had to hunt our own meals to eat. Our love for things crunchy, sweet and salty is simply a function of evolution trying to help us survive. Food engineers are paid handsomely to find the perfect blend of attributes that lights up this brain wiring and makes us eat until the bag is done.

Researchers study everything, from the sound a crunch makes to how much bite force is required to eat. Each variable is tested and re-tested in a food lab to make sure that the product has maximum appeal. Scholars and researchers have been documenting these findings in academic papers for decades, compiling data to maximize the addictive nature of foods.

So while you probably don't want to consume it regularly in your diet, having a bit of junk food here and there won't kill you – in fact, it just means you are human.

Junk foods appeal to many different sensations. What's your favorite flavor?
Crunchy
Sweet
Savory
Salty

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Many of us love enjoying junk food while we do something else. What's your favorite thing to do while eating junk food?
Read the paper, in print or online
Watch TV
Nothing, I just focus on the meal.
Catch up with friends

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Some of us are victims of our environments when it comes to junk food. How do you get most of your guilty food pleasures?
I purchase and prepare them myself.
I buy convenience store snacks.
I grab them with breakfast to start my day.
I buy a bag for multiple people and end up eating a lot myself.

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There are many places we can eat. What's your favorite environment to consume junk food?
On my couch
At work
A restaurant
In bed

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Would you describe yourself as a social eater?
Not usually
Yes, I like eating junk with others – it's great for bonding!
I can be, but I usually prefer to eat on my own.
I enjoy eating meals with a select group of people.

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Other than junk food, what's your favorite kind of cuisine?
American
Italian
Chinese
Greek

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We all need something to wash down our junk food with – what's your ideal beverage?
Juice
Milk
Coffee
Soda

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It might not be considered traditional junk food, but what is your take on eating fast food?
If I'm with a group that wants it, I'll eat it.
It's fine every once in a while.
I'm a fan.
I like the upscale ones.

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A meal with a view is always great. What's your favorite thing to see while eating?
Computer screen
A great book
The TV screen
An elegant restaurant

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The negatives of eating junk food can be outweighed by an active lifestyle. How often do you exercise?
Whenever I play sports or do a fun group activity
Not as much as I should
Does lifting food to my mouth count?
A few times a week

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How do you usually meet new people?
Through the clubs or groups we are a part of
Volunteering
At the office
School

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You can't survive on junk food alone. Which of these main courses would you eat?
Club sandwich
Chicken
Omelet
Cheeseburger

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Would you rather prepare your own meals, or have someone cook for you?
I like to cook for myself and others.
I like to make my own simple yet tasty food.
I love going out to eat and experiencing someone else's creativity.
It's great when a family member cooks for me.

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What's your romantic status?
Married
I have a serious mate.
Single
I date around.

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Vehicles reflect who we are. What kind of car do you drive?
A regular sedan
Hybrid
SUV
Luxury car

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We all have important company over from time to time. What food would you serve to a distinguished dinner guest?
Croissants
Roasted potatoes
Truffles
Macaroons

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Sometimes we cook and sometimes it's easier to just order out. How often do you eat out?
Once or twice a month
A few times a month
When I'm hanging out with friends
As frequently as possible

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Which of these is your favorite genre of music?
Gospel
Rock
Pop
Jazz

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Junk food often plays a central role in movies. What's your favorite food movie?
Ratatouille
Hundred Foot Journey
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Jiro Dreams of Sushi

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Foods often get associated with professions. Which of these would be your ideal career?
Model
Cop
Bank manager
Social worker

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Not everyone is used to diversity. How well do you get along with people from other cultures?
As long as they are sophisticated enough for me, we get along well.
I tend to prefer people like me, but I can relate to all people.
I get along with upper-crust people from all areas.
I get along with almost everyone.

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Junk food is often better with a companion. Who's your favorite person to eat junk food with?
A coworker
A close friend
My spouse
My dog

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Binging on junk food can sometimes bring mental consequences along with the physical ones. How do you feel after eating junk?
Guilty but satisfied
Not that great, but I move on.
It brings me pleasure so I feel fine.
I know I'll just make up for it with the rest of my meals that day.

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There are junk foods in all kinds of cuisine. How often do you try new foods?
Not often, unless I'm with a group going somewhere new.
Once every other month
Frequently, I believe variety makes life more enjoyable.
Whenever a new place is highly recommended.

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We sometimes wear our hearts and stomachs on our sleeve. What's your go-to outfit?
A polo shirt and khakis
A hoodie and jeans
T-shirt and sweatpants
A nice-looking suit

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What's the best time of day to eat junk food?
Evening
Mid-day
Morning
Afternoon

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Foods can be compared to other activities. If you were a dance move, which one would you be?
Leg kick
Moonwalk
Running Man
Electric Slide

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Ice cream is a classic junk food. What's your favorite type of ice cream?
Neapolitan
Cookie Dough
Fudge Brownie
Chocolate

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Superheroes and junk food are both cultural icons. Who's your favorite superhero?
Superman
Spider-Man
Batman
Iron Man

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Celebrities have their own junk food cravings like anyone else. Which celebrity are you most similar to?
John Cleese
Christian Bale
Kelly Clarkson
Taylor Swift

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You Got: