Modern living coupled with a hectic lifestyle has left little time for many of us to cook daily. Ready-to-eat foods are naturally a convenient alternative. No more worrying about buying groceries, putting just the right amount of spices to get the specific taste; just open the desired pack and enjoy delicious food without having to sweat it out in the kitchen.
Foods that do not require heating or cooking before eating are known as ready-to-eat foods. The delectable sandwich that you relish on your way to work, a variety of salads that you eat when on a weight-losing regime, desserts, cooked meat, cheese and many other things that can be eaten as they are, come under the category of ready-to-eat food.
These RTE foods are non-perishable and have a long shelf-life. A large number of options are available nowadays that have considerably reduced the time you spend in the kitchen. It is especially convenient for people living in joint families with everyone having their preferences. It is humanely not possible to cater to every taste but a perfect mix of home-cooked and ready-to-eat food may be the ideal solution to your problem. Surprise your loved ones with a new dish every other day and their smile will be worth the effort.
Ready-to-eat food needs to be handled very carefully as it is not heated before consumption.
Here are some safety checks that should be kept in mind while using ready-to-eat food.
- When preparing or handling ready-to-eat foods, care should be taken to keep them completely separate from raw meat or poultry and raw vegetables. It should be kept covered while preparing or storing it. This is of utmost importance to protect it from harmful allergens and bacteria. Since these foods are pre-cooked and most of the time do not require heating, improper handling can spoil them.
- Ready-to-eat foods have a long shelf life and certain guidelines need to be followed about storage. Read the manufacturers’ instructions carefully on how to store and prepare the food to keep it safe for a longer time.
- These foods are generally stored at low temperatures. Follow the instructions and keep them in the refrigerator or as mentioned by the manufacturer. If these foods are not refrigerated, harmful bacteria may grow and spoil them.
- Ready-to-eat food has an expiry date which is mentioned on the pack. Never use it after the ‘Use by date as it may not be safe to consume.
- Ready-to-eat cereals are packed with healthy nuts and fruits. Some fresh fruits added to them before eating provides complete nutrition in the morning so that you can go about your daily schedule energetically.
How to make healthier choices when using Ready-to-eat foods?
Ready-to-eat foods may prove to be handy when facing a time-crunch, we sometimes end up making the wrong choices. What instantly comes to our mind when we think about ready-to-eat options are sandwiches, desserts, soups etc. that may not have the recommended nutritional value. There are scores of healthy options as well which we generally overlook. Pre-cut, frozen and canned vegetables and fruits can be used for a healthier option.
Here are a few tips to improve the nutritional value of ready-to-eat food products.
- Try adding nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, lean meat or legumes to the convenience foods before eating. This will enhance their nutritional value by increasing the amount of fibre, vitamins, minerals and protein content. Try adding fresh vegetables to canned soups. Fresh, frozen or canned fruits can be added to yoghurt to give it an interesting twist.
- In case, the directions on the pack call for the addition of milk, butter or cream during preparation, add low-fat milk and only half the amount of butter to make it healthier. Avoid adding unnecessary calories to your meal and stay fit and healthy.
- Use herbs and spices to add flavour if required and avoid using excess salt as it is not good for your overall health.
- Go for dark chocolates instead of the regular ones if you have a craving for chocolates.
- Swap sugary sodas with a bottle of water.
- Opt for healthy fruit bars when you see skittles or gummies.
What are the reasons for the recent increase in popularity of Ready-to-eat food products?
- Covid-19 has fundamentally changed our shopping habits and food choices. People rightly avoid stepping out of their homes and prefer shopping online instead. Furthermore, due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, they stock up with ready-to-meet food products to prepare themselves for any exigency. They don’t have to worry about groceries if lockdown is suddenly imposed. If you’d like more information about butcher shops in Melbourne be sure to visit Peter Bouchier.
- With more digital channels and online shopping platforms coming up with innovative grocery shopping, people are sure to stick with this mode post=pandemic too. A wide array of ready-to-eat food products of different brands are available in one place, making it convenient for them to buy whatever they need.
Wrapping up:
Ready-to-eat food products are commercially prepared as an easy alternative to regular food. They have excess amounts of sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats, that are best avoided. While youngsters can enjoy all these products as much as they like, it is highly recommended that aged people or those suffering from some chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart diseases etc. should avoid consuming such food products. Processed foods are loaded with synthetic colouring agents, flavours and preservatives like MSG which are not good for health if consumed for a long time.
There are always two sides to a coin. Let’s not forget that excess of everything is bad. Ready-to-eat foods have made our lives easier. They can be carried anywhere in the world. Frozen fruits and vegetables can be relished in areas where these fruits and vegetables do not grow. Moreover, since they are processed and packed under strict regulations, they are safe to consume. So, Try new ready-to-eat food products with a dash of your personal touch and give a lovely surprise to your family today.