Isn't it repetitive to use "in place of" and "instead" together as they both mean the same? Why not just say "What happens if you eat sugar-rich food in place of (instead of) the healthy balanced food"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
You are correct. It is a little repetitive to say "in place of" and "instead" in the same sentence. Your sentence would be a better alternative than what was used here.