Home-cooked meals are best
Bringing home-cooked meals to school or eating out in fast-food restaurants has long been a hot topic among students. For me, a home-cooked lunch is much better than fast food, irrespective of their nutritional content or price.
As we all know, fast food is a main cause of obesity. The excessive sugar and oil result in a drastic increase in the risk of getting diabetes and heart attacks. Moreover, preservatives in fast food are carcinogenic. In contrast, home-cooked meals contain less oil and preservatives.
Home-cooked food is much more nutritious and cheaper than fast food. Many students complain about the outrageous prices of lunch boxes. But those who bring their own home-cooked meals can save about HK$30 - the average cost of a meal in a fast-food restaurant.
I urge students to think smart and organise a healthy lunch with some home-cooked food. Do your health and your wallet a favour.
Jacky Li, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School
From the Editor
Thank you for your letter, Jacky. Home-cooked food is usually best, and of course, fresh fruit and vegetables are top of the 'best' list. It is sad that people in Hong Kong don't find time to make home-cooked meals for dinner, let alone for school.
Too many students turn to hamburgers or instant noodles to satisfy their hunger, although we know that most of these options are nutritional disasters.
One of the easiest ways of taking a home-cooked meal to school is to use the left-overs from the previous night's meal, or to whip up a salad from fresh ingredients before you head out for your long day.
Susan, Editor
