Convenience Foods. Flashcards
What are convenience foods?
Convenience foods are usually described as foods that are processed and partly or totally prepared by a food manufacturer so that they are either ready to eat or require minimal preparation by the consumer.
These convenience foods have gained in popularity in recent years, for a number of reasons, including:
Give 5 reasons.
- Less leisure time is spent in food preparation.
- More women go out to work and have less time to prepare food.
- Advances in food technology.
- Increased freezer ownership so people can store ready-prepared foods at home.
- The influence of advertising on people’s food habits.
What are the 6 advantages of convenience foods?
- Quick and easy to prepare and save time and fuel.
- They are easy to store and useful for taking on holiday.
- They can be kept for emergencies.
- A wide variety is available.
- They are usually a little less waste.
- They often have extra nutrients added.
What are the 5 disadvantages of convenience foods?
- It may be more expensive than fresh foods.
- Too many processed and refined foods in the diet may limit the intake of NSP.
- Nutrients may be lost during processing and not replaced.
- They may have high levels of fat, sugar, and salt.
What is a sensible approach to the use of convenience foods?
A sensible approach is to use both fresh and convenience foods in proportions that suit the individual in terms of money, time, and personal preference.
Why do some people object to convenience foods?
Some people object to processed and refined foods on the grounds that they are not as nutritious as fresh foods and may contain additives that are not naturally found in foods.
Give three examples of savory and sweet ready-to-eat convenience foods.
Savoury - Meat pies, cold meats, and cheese spreads.
Sweet - Cakes, biscuits, and sweets.
Give three examples of frozen convenience foods that are:
Foods ready-to-eat on thawing.
Foods ready to cook.
Foods cooked and ready to heat.
Foods ready-to-eat on thawing - Mousses, trifles, and ice creams.
Foods ready to cook - Sausage rolls, fish fingers, and burger patties.
Foods cooked and ready to heat - Fish in sauce, casseroles, and pies.
Give three examples of canned convenience foods that are:
Foods requiring heating.
Foods requiring no cooking.
Foods requiring some cooking.
Foods used as part of a main dish.
Foods requiring heating - Pastas or pulses in sauce e.g. beans and soups.
Foods requiring no cooking - Fish, cold meats, and custard.
Foods requiring some cooking - Vegetables, pies, and meats.
Foods used as part of a main dish - Meat and fruit pie filling, and special sauces e.g. bolognese.
Give three examples of cook-chill convenience foods that are:
Foods cooked to destroy food poisoning microorganisms, then quickly chilled, and kept cold during transport and storage, Must be thoroughly heated by the consumer.
Fresh pasta, main courses e.g. bolognese, chili con carne, curry, and lasagne.
Give three examples of ready-prepared meal convenience foods that are:
Food is cooked to destroy microorganisms, then packaged in a modified atmosphere and stored at room temperature. Heated by microwave oven, or by standing in boiling water.
Main courses e.g. lasagne, curry, and bolognese.
What are cook-chill convenience foods?
Foods cooked to destroy food poisoning microorganisms, then quickly chilled, and kept cold during transport and storage, Must be thoroughly heated by the consumer.
What is a ready-prepared meal convenience food?
Food is cooked to destroy microorganisms, then packaged in a modified atmosphere and stored at room temperature. Heated by microwave oven, or by standing in boiling water.
Give three examples of dehydrated convenience foods that are:
Instant foods are foods that are quickly and easily prepared by reconstituting with water or other liquid.
Foods requiring reconstituting and a short cooking time.
Ingredients for main dishes require the addition of extra ingredients and liquid.
Instant foods are foods that are quickly and easily prepared by reconstituting with water or other liquid - Mashed potato, custard, and coffee.
Foods requiring reconstituting and a short cooking time - Soups, custards, and main meals e.g. curries and stews.
Ingredients for main dishes require the addition of extra ingredients and liquid - Mixes for cakes, batters, and icings.
What are instant foods?
Instant foods are foods that are quickly and easily prepared by reconstituting with water or other liquid.
