Juggling work, family and personal commitments often means there is limited time to cook, making pre-packaged food alternatives such as pre-cooked and ready-to-eat meals increasingly attractive.
While both are undeniably convenient, the question still remains: are these convenient meals as healthy as cooking them from scratch?
Garima Dev Verman, Certified Nutritionist and Medical Content Analyst, The Healthy Indian Project (THIP), breaks down the key differences and reveals their nutritional value.
Garima clarifies the difference between these two categories:
“Prepared foods are already cooked to some extent but may require further cooking, such as heating in a microwave – think Haldiram’s retort pouches – whereas ready-to-eat foods are ready to eat. Remove from packagePopcorn, namkeen (salty snacks), khakhra (flat bread) etc.”
Convenience comes at a price
While convenience is a big advantage, Garima also warned of a potential drawback: “Prepared or ready-to-eat meals often lack the rich nutritional value of fresh ingredients,” she explained.
“They tend to have a higher sodium content to extend their shelf life.” This is alarming as excess sodium intake can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure.
Garima delved deeper into the world of preservatives.
“Just like pickles use salt and mustard oil to preserve them, Prepackaged meals “They’re loaded with sodium and sugar to extend shelf life. These preservatives are profitable for companies, but they’re not health-friendly.”
Hidden sugars can also be found in sauces and dressings. Nutritionists stress the importance of reading labels: “Consumers need to become label detectives. Companies are making mass produced products and preservation is a must – this is why they use sugar and other additives. It’s important to be aware of these.” Hidden ingredients.“
The ideal (but not necessarily feasible) choice
Garima acknowledged the ideal scenario, saying, “If time allows, cooking fresh meals using fresh ingredients is the best option for optimal nutrition.”
However, she recognises the realities of a busy lifestyle: “For those who are short on time, pre-cooked or ready-to-eat options can be a solution from time to time. But remember, anything packaged, whether it’s namkeen or biryani, is not always the healthiest choice.”
She advises making informed choices: “Read the ingredients list and nutritional facts carefully. Where possible, prioritise fresh ingredients. Remember, India has a rich culinary tradition and cooking delicious meals doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a skill worth investing in for your health.”
Prepared and ready-to-eat foods are convenient, but they shouldn’t be taken for granted. Understanding nutritional limitations and developing label reading skills can help you make informed choices and maintain healthy diets.
For those who can’t cook meals every day, Garima suggests making dal and storing it in the freezer, adding to resist the urge to rely on ready-made snacks as your main source of nutrition.
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First uploaded: 07 Jun 2024 17:15 IST
