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| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Food on the go
Do you know what fast food is? Any food that you buy in a ready or almost ready state can be defined as fast food. You may have bought it from an upmarket food court, a take-away, a snack bar, a van on the street or from the nearby shop. Most food in supermarkets such as the pre-cooked or frozen meals that can be consumed after being re-heated for five minutes are also 'fast food'. Although fast food or 'junk food' as it is sometimes called is generally considered as an unhealthy option, there's no reason why it can't be as nutritious and healthy as any other food. The food you buy from fast food restaurants may not really be any worse for you than food prepared at home as long as you choose the healthy options. You could choose a pizza topped with meat, vegetables and cheese or a sandwich made with wholemeal bread, tuna and cucumber. These make delicious snacks as well as being full of goodness. Fast food has a bad reputation due to the fact that much of the fast food in the market is highly processed. It is usually high in fat and low in fibre, and lacks vitamins and minerals. Junk food contains too much of the wrong things, and too little of the right nutrients. But it won't do you much harm if you don't eat it all the time. Worse than hamburgers, fried chicken or fries that are generally termed junk food are the foods laden with sugar, salt and fat. These include cakes, sweets, ice-creams, sweet biscuits, fizzy drinks and fried snacks. If you think of fast food as food which can be eaten at any time and at any place, then it can just as well be some fruits. It could be a banana, an orange, an apple, a slice of water melon or a piece of cheese or a cup of yoghurt. All these are healthy and fast foods. They are quick and convenient food. Half a litre of milk has more protein than 100 grams of meat. Milk is certainly a fast food, but it is not junk food. So, although it may be easier to pick the 'wrong' food, which is easily available, keep in mind that nature's fast food store can also cope with most of your demands. Another factor to keep in mind is that this food is cheaper, healthier than junk food and more environment friendly as it is natural. |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
You rush home from school with only minutes to eat, wash and change,
and get ready for your tuition class. There is no time to sit down at the
dining table and enjoy a meal of rice and curry, so what do you eat? 'Fast
food' it has to be!
