With work deadlines looming and endless errands to run, the thought of whipping up a home-cooked meal might make you want to scream. However, for many, ready-made or frozen dinners save the day. It might be convenient, but the question remains: are these meals nutritious?
To save time during a busy week, Ncomeka Mabinza, a visual artist from Msobomvu township in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, turns to ready-made meals.
“As a young single professional, our preference lately has been eating ready-made meals over cooking at home, influenced by factors such as our fast-paced daily lives,” she says.
“Cooking during a busy week can be an unnecessary logistical challenge, especially when all the body wants to do is rest and recover.”
Ncomeka Mabinza
Easy meals for a busy life
She adds, “There is absolutely no reason for anyone to suffer trying to prepare meals in cold weather when you can order a delicious meal from the comfort of your home.”
Mabinza appreciates the convenience of having her food delivered to her door, and all she needs to do is warm it up and serve.
“The main advantages are relying on ready-made meals in your busy lifestyle and trying to balance everything at once.”
She also points out that this option saves electricity and water, allowing her to stay on schedule for her busy workday and remain productive.
Not the best cook
Dr Udoh James Akpan, a writer and post-doctoral researcher in the department of criminology and foreign studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, explains that living alone with his busy schedule makes ready-made meals an easier and more convenient option for him.
“Plus, I don’t know how to cook very well.”
He adds that ready-made meals don’t disrupt his busy schedule, although he acknowledges that few options provide confidence in their healthiness.
Finding nutritious foods, similar to what he enjoyed as a Nigerian native, isn’t easy in South Africa, so he sometimes opts for what is readily available.
“When it comes to fast food, I just want something filling, even though I know it’s not healthy.”
Dr Udoh James Akpan
READ NEXT: Mzansi, think twice before empyting that salt pot
How do you select healthy options?
Mabinza tells Health For Mzansi that she ensures she sticks to grains, veggies, and protein. She mentions a shop she particularly likes that offers a variety of healthy foods, including wraps made from brown flour and seeds, stir-fries, vegetables, soups, and stews.
“They have such delicious options and such a great range.”
However, she points out, “The disadvantage is that ready-made meals, especially fast foods, can be addictive.”
Mabinza further notes that it’s challenging to monitor eating times and that these habits can lead to obesity and a lack of movement.
Difference between ready-made meals and fast food
Ready-made foods are similar to food you cook at home yourself and freeze to use later on. The nutritional value will remain the same, but the safety depends on the length of stay in the fridge/freezer, explains Andiswa Ngqaka, spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa).
“There are no nutritional drawbacks as long as the food is not overcooked if it’s a vegetable.”
She explains that, for an example, lasagna you prepared at home in a similar recipe with the one store prepared option have the same nutritional value.
She notes that the challenge is always the length of storage which could affect the safety.
“Even food cooked at home and not stored correctly or for too long in the refrigerator goes off.”
Registered dietitian Andiswa Ngqaka
Ngqaka adds, “The nutritional content is similar. As long as it’s still within the expiry date.”
Ready-made meals should not be confused with fast food or takeaways. Fast food is mass-produced food designed for quick and efficient preparation and distribution that is sold by certain restaurants, concession stands, and convenience stores, according to Brittanica. These meals are made quickly and are typically for takeaway, and it tend to be high in saturated fat, sugar, salt, and calories.
Ngqaka says it is important to understand the difference between processed food and ready-made meals. She explains that prepared food is not processed foods, like viennas, etc.
“Prepared foods could be lasagna, butter chicken, cottage pie, vegetables, etc.”
ALSO READ: Convenience at a cost: The downside of ultra-processed foods
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
