Advantages and disadvantages of using convenient foods: Convenient food is the another category of food in which the food may be semi-processed and then stored. This increases their shelf-life and ease of preparation.
Advantages of convenience foods:
• Preparation time is reduced to a great extent.
• No storing, buying or planning of ingredients.
• Can hardly get any leftovers.
• Could have a variety of items especially for inexperienced cooks.
• Faster presentation and easy cleaning up.
• Less spoilage and waste occur with packaged convenience foods.
• Transportation of packaged foods is cheaper especially in concentrated form.
• Cost efficient for mass production and distribution.
Disadvantages of convenience foods :
• May be less meat, fish, or cheese than you would include in homemade versions.
• Cooking time is sometimes increased for thawing or longer baking time.
• Harder to control fat, salt and sugar levels.
• Cost per serving may be higher than homemade.
• Convenience foods are typically high in calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and transfats.
• They tend to lack freshness in fruits and vegetables.
