Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 2

SUBJECT: FOOD AND NUTRITION

CLASS:  SS 2

DATE:

TERM: 3rd TERM

 
WEEK 1 - 2

TOPIC: CONVENIENCE FOODS

FOR WEEKS 1 and 2

(1)     Definition of convenience foods 

(ii)     Forms of convenience food (iv)   Uses of convenience foods 

(v)       Advertises of convenience foods 

(vi)      Guidelines for selecting convenience foods 

DEFINITION

Convenience foods are foods that have been processed and preserved to reduce or eliminate the amount of preparation and cooking that may be required. They are usually sold in packets, tins, bottles. Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and cereals are available in convenience foods 

FORMS OF CONVENIENCE FOODS

Convenience foods are available in many forms:-

(1)       Packed foods: These are specially packed already cooked foods at it’s final stage of consumption e.g cakes, biscuits, ready cooked cereals e.t.c

(2)       Canned foods: - These are foods which have been processed and sealed in cans e.g. tomatoes purees, sardines, milk, corned beef. e.t.c 

(3)       Frozen foods:- these are foods which are washed and frozen ready for use.  e.g meat, pies, poultry, fish. 

(4)      Dehydrated  foods. These are foods in which the moisture content has been reduced e.g     flakes soup, instant tea, biscuits e.t.c. 

USES OF CONVENIENCE FOODS 

(1)      Convenience foods are used to improvise the nutritive quality of food

(2)       They are used as flavoring and at times as colorings 

(3)       They are sometimes used as main dishes

(4)       Some are used as appetizers

ADVANTAGES OF CONVENIENCE FOODS

(1)      Convenience foods save time and energy

(2)       Convenience foods make food preparation and cooking faster 

(3)       They reduce wastage

(4)       They are easy to store 

(5)       It makes planning of meal easier because they are in ready supply. 

DISADVANTAGES OF CONVENIENCE FOODS

(1)      Some of the nutrients have been destroyed e.g. water soluble vitamins are in canned foods.

(2)      Some of them are expensive. 

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF CONVENIENCE FOODS

(1)   The cost of the convenience foods must be put into consideration..