Convenience food
Convenience food
Convenience food, also known as ready-made food or pre-packaged food, is a type of food that is commercially prepared to optimize ease of consumption. It is designed to be quick and easy to prepare, often only requiring heating.
Pronunciation
/kənˈviːniəns fuːd/
Etymology
The term "convenience food" is derived from the English words "convenience" meaning the state of being able to proceed with something with little effort or difficulty, and "food" which refers to any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth.
Related Terms
- Fast food: A type of convenience food that is prepared and served quickly, often from a restaurant specializing in such cuisine.
- Frozen food: Food preserved by freezing process.
- Instant food: Food that is prepared quickly and easily.
- Processed food: Food that has been altered in some way during preparation.
- Ready-to-eat food: Food that is ready for consumption without further cooking or preparation.
History
Convenience foods have been in existence since the 19th century, but their popularity increased in the 20th century with the rise of the industrial revolution. The need for quick, easy-to-prepare meals grew as more women entered the workforce and had less time to spend on cooking. Today, convenience foods are a staple in many households due to their ease of preparation and long shelf life.
Health Impact
While convenience foods offer ease and speed of preparation, they often contain high levels of sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. This has led to concerns about the impact of convenience foods on public health, particularly in relation to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Environmental Impact
The production and packaging of convenience foods can have significant environmental impacts. These include the use of non-renewable resources in packaging, the emission of greenhouse gases in production, and the generation of waste from packaging.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Convenience food
- Wikipedia's article - Convenience food
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