The Case for Prepared Foods

A Washington Post columnist praises the healthy offerings of QSRs and grocery stores, which provide worthwhile options for those without the time or effort to cook at home.

February 14, 2012

WASHINGTON - Washington Post columnist Ezra Klein presented a strong case for prepared food earlier this week, countering the growing chorus of food blog and food-related television voices who disparage canned foods, frozen dinners, pre-cut vegetables and anything that is not home-cooked.

"The argument ?? is that all these items are expensive, often unhealthy, replacements for things that are relatively easy to do on your own," Klein said. But the problem is, he continued: "[P]eople won??t cook it for themselves. They??re busy. They don??t like to cook. They don??t want to wait."

According to Klein, prepared foods are now more healthful and flavorful than ever before. He cites Chipotle as an example, the Mexican chain that has grown tremendously the past few years.

"What??s interesting about Chipotle is that they??re doing all this while pioneering some very unusual practices for a national fast-food chain. Most of their meat is naturally raised in fairly humane conditions. Their food has few preservatives..." he said.

Klein maintains that American eating habits, if they are to change in the coming years, will not do so because people are cooking more at home. Rather, "it will be because of innovations in chain restaurants and grocery stores, not because everyone is making their own chicken stock.

"The trends toward less time, less cooking, and broader availability of premade foods is irreversible, and efforts to fight against it are doomed, in most cases, to fail," he said.

While Klein concedes "it??s great to cook food from scratch," it??s not the only way to eat healthy.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement