Convenience Foods

07/07/24
 Convenience Foods
07/07/24
• Today the term “ Convenience Food” is
widely used in the catering industry. This is
probably due to the rapid progress in food
technology over the past decade. It can be
defined as any types of food where some
stage of preparation has been completed
before hand facilities further cooking in less
and in more convenient way.

07/07/24
 Convenience Foods
Foods processed partly or totally by a food
manufacturer, they are ready to eat or
require minimal preparation.
• Convenience Food
– One that has been commercially processed to
make it more convenient to store or use
– Includes items that have been processed for a
longer shelf life
– Reduce meal preparation time

07/07/24
 foods gained in popularity due :
1. more women work so less time to cook.
2. less time spent in food preparation.
3. advances in food technology.
4. more people own freezer so convenient
storage of ready – prepared foods.
5. influence of advertising.
6.Busy schedules, Quick meal
7.Easy to fix
8.Lifestyle
9.Time
07/07/24 saved makes up for extra $$ spent
Why don’t people buy convenience foods
1. Less time spent interacting with family
2. May have lower nutritional value
3. May not include enough portions of fruit and
vegetables
4. May not get enough servings from the Food
guide
5. Contains a high percentage of fat and
sodium

07/07/24
 Facts
• Convenience foods, also called Processed
foods, are those that have either completely
or in-part commercially prepare
• Convenience foods are canned, frozen,
cured, dried, or freeze-dried.
• Processing helps to keep perishable foods
from spoiling by destroying or slowing down
the growth of harmful microorganisms.
• Convenience foods can be stored at room
temperature and for longer periods of time
than
07/07/24 “fresh” foods.
• Most convenience foods do not require
special skills or equipment to prepare.
• Directions and ingredients on
convenience food labels give clues as
to how the food can fit into a balanced,
healthful diet or meal plan.

07/07/24
 Advantages of convenience foods
• quick and easy to prepare.
• save time and fuel.
• easy to store.
• easy to take on holidays.
• kept for emergencies.
• little waste.
• often contain extra nutrient added.
• Reduced planning, buying, and storing of
ingredients.
• More
07/07/24 variety, especially for inexperienced cooks.
• Faster and easier clean up
• -Storability-usually keep well for extended
periods
• Foods sold year round
Reduced operation cost
Reduce food production time.
Less space & equipment is needed to produce
basic items.
Operation cost can be reduced because of less
labor. Less waste, less spoilage of food, less
storage
07/07/24 & less cleaning
 Disadvantages of convenience foods
• more expensive than fresh foods.
• nutrients may be lost during processing
and not replaced.
• it contains little amount of fiber.
• most of the time it contains extra salt,
fat, and chemicals
• may be less meat, fish or cheese than you
would include in homemade versions
• cooking time is sometimes increased for
thawing or longer baking time
• harder to control fat, salt and sugar level
07/07/24
• Products may lack appeal of foods
prepared at home
• Packaging may negatively impact the
environment

07/07/24
 Some Convenience Foods are
Cheaper than Homemade because:
mass production and distribution are more cost
effective
*transportation is cheaper for packaged foods,
especially in concentrated form
*original purchase costs take advantage of
bulk prices and seasonal production
*less spoilage and waste occur with packaged
convenience items

07/07/24
 HIGH COST CONVENIENCE
*frozen vegetables with sauce
*coating mixes
*carry out or deli items
*frozen entrees or dinners
*instant hot cereals
*fancy bakery items
*ready-to-use frosting
*frozen pancake batter
*meat “helpers”
*seasoned
07/07/24 rice
 LOW COST CONVENIENCE
frozen juice concentrate
*cake and pancake dry mixes
*canned vegetables and fruits
*plain frozen vegetables
*instant mashed potatoes
*spaghetti sauce
*instant nonfat dry milk
*macaroni and cheese dry mix
*canned condensed soups
*frozen French fries
*bread,
07/07/24 crackers, rolls
Choosing Convenience Foods
• You can buy
– Snacks
– Main dishes
– Side dishes
– Desserts
– Complete meals
– All already prepared

07/07/24
 Three Levels of Convenience
• BASIC – canned, frozen, or dried foods with one or
very few ingredients; instant potatoes, frozen juice
concentrates, and canned vegetables.
• COMPLEX – several ingredients with more time-
saving processing; these often cost more than
homemade- ready-to-use frosting, frozen waffles,
and frozen entrees
• MANUFACTURED- cannot be made at home,
relatively expensive because of production
technology—carbonated beverages, instant
breakfast, and ready to-eat cereals
07/07/24
 Manufactured Foods
• A product developed to serve as a substitute
for another food
• Developed to meet special nutritional needs
or to provide low-cost alternatives
• Several types
– Analogues
– Egg Substitutes
– Formed Products

07/07/24
 Manufactured Foods
• Analogues
– Foods made from a vegetable protein and
processed to resemble animal foods
– Can be the following:
• Textured Soy protein (TSP)
– Generally low in fat and cholesterol
• Tofu
• Vegetables
• Grains

07/07/24
 Manufactured Foods
• Egg Substitutes
– Usually made from egg whites with other
ingredients added
– NO YOLK
• Means they have little or no saturated fat and
cholesterol

07/07/24
 Manufactured Foods
• Formed Product
– A food made from an inexpensive food
source processed to resemble a more
expensive one
– Prices of “imitation” foods are lower than
the food they replace

07/07/24
 Pros and Cons of
Convenience Foods
• Cost
– Can be costly
• Example
– Ready-to-cook meat loaf costs more than twice as
much as regular ground beef
– Cost of cut-up chicken is higher than buying whole
chickens

07/07/24
 Pros and Cons of
Convenience Foods
• Nutrition
– Processing usually destroys some
nutrients
– Look for Convenience foods that are
• Low in sodium, fat and sugar
• Fruit packed in its own natural juices
• Frozen veggies over canned
• Use ready-to-cook and ready-to-use foods
sparingly
07/07/24
 Pros and Cons of
Convenience Foods
• Meal Appeal
– Processing affects the flavor, color, and
texture of food
• Often additives are used to make the final
product resemble its fresh counterpart
– Flavor may not compare with similar foods
that are homemade

07/07/24
 Section Review
• 1. What is a manufactured food? What
is an analogue?
• 2. In what three areas are there
potential downsides to using
convenience foods?
• 3. Identify two ways to make the most of
convenience foods from a nutrition
perspective

07/07/24