Chanda ranga: Healthy Ready Made Meals

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Healthy Ready Made Meals

Pre-prepared meals have taken off because they're so convenient. You can pop them in the microwave and they'll be ready in minutes - without the washing up. Also, as more family members eat at different times, there's less food and time wasted preparing separate dishes. It's an easy way to get variety if you're cooking for one. They work out more expensive than food made at home - but many people think that's balanced out by the time they save.

Are they healthy?

"The problem with ready meals is that you're much less in control of what goes into them," says Sarah Stanner of the British Nutrition Foundation.

"Two lasagna, for example, can look virtually the same on the packet but have very different nutritional composition."

That's not to say ready meals are bad for you. Many manufacturers have taken on board the healthy eating message to produce more nutritious ranges. But not all ready meals labeled 'healthy', 'low fat' or 'diet' are actually better for you than ordinary ready meals, so it's a question of making the right choice.

The key principles to watch out for in choosing more healthy ready meals are:

1. Low salt content - because salt may be associated with hypertension
2. Low saturated fat content - because saturated fat is linked to high LDL cholesterol, which can result in circulatory diseases, as well as problems associated with obesity, such as diabetes
3. Low sugar content - for healthy teeth
4. High vitamin and mineral content - for healthy bones, skin, hair and digestion
Choosing from a wide range of healthy foods you can enjoy