Essay 287 – People rely on restaurants and convenience food

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 287

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

A growing number of people rely on restaurants and convenience food (frozen food and packaged meals) rather than home-cooked food to supply most of their meals.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating this way?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:

More and more people are eating out in restaurants and consuming ready-to-eat food. The benefits of this are that individuals can save time and effort. However, this trend could also cause health hazards, and foods served in restaurants or ingredients used in convenience foods are usually of low quality.

The most evident benefit of ready-to-eat food is convenience. In today’s hectic lifestyle, there is nothing better than having a ready meal. No matter how much physicians praise the advantages of a home-cooked meal, at the end of a hard day at the office, when individuals return home exhausted and hungry, canned soup or the cake with marshmallows can be a godsend. Besides the time one has to devote to the kitchen, preparing meals at home also requires an individual to make a trip to the local grocery shop to purchase the ingredients for the meal. Furthermore, there is the added time and effort in peeling the vegetables and washing utensils. All this makes eating out in restaurants and consumption of convenience food an increasing and convenient trend.

On the other hand, this trend also confers several disadvantages. One drawback is that most convenience or restaurant foods are often rather unhygienic. That is to say that these foods contain a substantial amount of calories and fats, thus causing various non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and so on. Low quality is another major downside of such foods. Cheap foods especially are being affected by low-quality ingredients so as to offer the cheapest price possible for consumers.

To conclude, while the growing tendency of eating convenience food saves both time and energy, therefore becoming the answer to a fast pace of life, it is important to pay attention to the health hazard caused by high calories and low-quality ingredients of such foods.

Model Answer 2:

The trend of relying on restaurants and convenience food for daily meals has gained popularity in recent years. While some argue that it offers convenience and variety, others raise concerns about its impact on health and personal well-being. This essay will explore the advantages and disadvantages of depending on restaurants and convenience food as the primary source of meals.

One of the primary advantages is the convenience it offers. With busy lifestyles and demanding schedules, many individuals find it challenging to allocate time for grocery shopping, meal preparation, and cooking. Relying on restaurants and convenience food saves time and effort, providing a quick and hassle-free solution to meet daily dietary needs.

Additionally, eating out or consuming convenience food provides a wide range of options and flavours. Restaurants offer diverse cuisines, allowing individuals to explore new tastes and culinary experiences. Convenience food products, such as frozen meals and packaged snacks, often feature a variety of flavours and ingredients, catering to different preferences and dietary restrictions.

Despite the advantages, there are several disadvantages associated with relying heavily on restaurants and convenience food. Firstly, the nutritional quality of such meals is often a concern. Many convenience food products are high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium, which can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and other health problems. Restaurants may prioritise taste and presentation over nutritional value, leading to excessive consumption of unhealthy ingredients.

Moreover, the dependence on restaurants and convenience food can hinder the development of essential cooking skills. Home-cooked meals provide an opportunity for individuals to learn about nutrition, portion control, and food preparation techniques. By relying solely on pre-packaged or restaurant meals, individuals miss out on the satisfaction and benefits of cooking their own food.

In conclusion, relying on restaurants and convenience food as the primary source of meals offers convenience and variety, saving time and effort in today’s fast-paced world. However, it is important to consider the potential disadvantages, such as the impact on nutrition and the lack of cooking skills development.