Do you agree that if more people cooked meals from scratch there would be less obesity?

Answer 1

Yes I think so, When I was growing up my mum was at home and made proper meals, none of us were overweight and we ate 3 big meals a day. But we also got a lot more exercise, we were not sitting in our rooms at night, we went out to play.

Answer 2

There are a lots of saturated fats, salt and other things that are bad for us in processed foods and takeaways. They are a quick-fix solution for people with busy lifestyles, but they are causing more health problems than they're worth. There's also the extra money a person has to fork out for such convenience foods! Takeaways aren't exactly cheap.

I have a lot of busy days and am usually quite tired when I finish work because I'm a teacher, but I always cook when I come home. I can usually knock up a healthy, filling meal from scratch in 30 minutes max, which is quicker than waiting for a pizza to be delivered.

There is also less control over portion sizes. Takeaway portions tend to be quite large, and ready meal portions are quite small. You either stuff yourself silly with a takeaway, or don't fill up with a ready meal and end up snacking anyway.

I think if more people cooked from scratch, they would be more aware of what they are eating and have control over how much they eat.

Answer 3

Yes and No. In the 'good old days' before ready meals and food, most Mums used to spend all day cooking. They used lard, dripping, butter, lots of suet, and plenty of other fat filled ingredients that we would go nowhere near today. They did however live more active lives so burnt it off better.

Today we have so many more options. Margarine, low fat options and plenty of fruit and vegetables from around the world. So yes, we can eat better if we cook it from scratch providing we don't also take advantage of all the different creams now available and cheeses, etc.

Most people who rely on ready meals are busy people and tend to be very active so would burn it off easily. But you will get the occasional person whose only exercise is to wander to the fridge, microwave, and then back to the sofa with their dinner.

Answer 4

Yes definely!

As a 13 year old I try to make all my food from scratch and bring a packed lunch into school so I know EXACTLY what I'm eating. Sure, Ill have the odd microwave oven meal but thats only on sleepoversd when I'm to busy having fun to cook for myself!

To be honest I don't know why they put food colouring, hydrogenated fats and extra sugar and all that crap.

And plus the food produce that say "less fat" or "50%less fat" still have a lot of fat in them!

Like those "skinny muffins" from starbucks and morrisons did you know they stilll contain 34 grammes each ONE?

And plus what would you choose Tescos oven chips with a high fat and salt content or homemade wedges made out of potatoe and NOTHING else!

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Answer 5

No, my diet for the past 9 years has been about 80+% fast food and pizza and I'm no where near obese. I'm 5'10" and weigh about 150. And I come from 2 families with fairly large/obese people. I think it has much more to do with the amount you eat and what you do afterwards. But then I don't work out or anything like that either.

Answer 6

It depends on what is being cooked to be honest but do agree that the fast food, take away and ready meals have a lot to answer to.
You can buy anything ready made quick and easy that is half the cause and the snacks that have come out over the years. It was a luxury for me to have a packet of crisps now for a lot of children it is their BREAKFAST on way to school!!!

Answer 7

yes I do... there would be a decent amount of less obesity BUT there still would be some. I think that people just won't though, things are too busy. Too bad there can't be drive through down home cooked meals or anything....

Answer 8

Yes, and feel better. It won't be long before anyone who can knock out a tasty sandwich in a couple of hours will be regarded as a national hero. For those who don't feel up to such a challenge , my advice is be selective, ask yourself , is this really a meal I'm having or I am just a victim of clever marketing. To clarify what I mean by marketing, it's selling the sizzle not the sausage. eg. country veg, garden peas , New York style ha ha ha . I can buy a sack of spuds for 5 quid and make chips as fast as you can say Yellow plastic clown!

Answer 9

Yes, if only for the possibility that people used to cooking from boxes and mixes would get tired of the turn around time from meal to meal.

Answer 10

Yes. One of the reasons people are obese is because food is so easy and quick (ready-made-meals, take-aways, etc). I think it's a lot healthier to make your own food as well. But in today's society everything is about making money. And you don't make money by standing over a cooker.