By Manish kumar
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: With a rapid shift in lifestyles, youths living on their own are now adapting to ways that will help them save time, when it comes to almost anything, such as switching to readymade packaged food instead of cooking their meals.
Markets these days are now flooded with packaged food which woo the younger generation with attractive packaging. These meals, apart from being tasty, can also be cooked in a jiffy, which is another big incentive for youngsters. However, there is one big catch: these are the last thing you want to eat if you’re concerned about getting a nutritious meal.
Products ranging from ready-to-eat oats, pop corn, soups, vegetable curries (like ‘heat-and-eat’ paneer masala), etc are now a major attraction at supermarkets. All buyers need to do is to empty the contents of the pack into water and heat it for less than five minutes.
“I have been staying alone for the last two years in the city. When I was at home I loved to cook, but now I don’t get that much time. But these days, we find it easy to grab some ready-to-eat substitutes which can save a lot of time. We buy some ready-to-eat vegetable curries like paneer masala which require very little time to cook because there are some dried vegetables and spices inside the packet. We just need to make chapattis. They have really made our life simpler,” says Madhulika Jena, a city-based student.
Like Madhulika, there are many who often opt for these products. Health experts however, warn against the indiscriminate use of these ready-to-eat meals. “These packaged meals can never be a replacement for natural vegetables and meals. When it comes to a healthy diet, properly cooked meals, with an all-round diet, are the best. Some of these products have more than the required amount of salt which can affect the health of those who opt for them regularly,” says Gourab Dash, a city doctor.
“Consumers need to be very careful while buying such products. They should often check the ingredients and preservatives used in the product. Usually, such products are available in liquid and semi-liquid form and are more likely to have excess salts, harmful additives and colouring agents which can affect one’s health,” says Ritanjali Mukhjerjee, a city-based nutritionist.
However, Dr Veena Panda says not all products are harmful, as there are some which come with the right amount of nutrition in them. “Green leafy vegetables and natural food cannot be replaced but certain products like instant oats are a good source of nutrition. They contain good amount of essential nutrients and are beneficial to health,” Panda said.
Last year, a study conducted by the Association of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) came out with their study on packaged food products.
The study conducted under the aegis of Assocham Social Development Foundation (ASDF) cited the rise in sales of packaged food, canned/dried processed food in the country. The study report said urban areas account for 72 per cent sales of such products, indicating how many youngsters living away from home are primarily dependent on such instant foods for their daily needs.
