Takeout ordering can be said to be a booming industry in recent years, thanks to the efforts of office workers and "foodie" people. You can have delicious food delivered to your door without leaving your home, just by using your phone. However, every good thing has its drawbacks. Let's take a look at the hazards of frequently eating takeout.
The Hazards of Eating Takeout
1. Malnutrition
In takeout meals, the most popular dish is rice with toppings. Although it is delicious, it often contains excessive oil and meat and lacks vegetables. This imbalance is common in takeout meals. Besides the excessive oil and salt, the ratio of meat to vegetables is often not reasonable, and the amount of vegetables is far from sufficient for the body's needs. The health problems caused by these high-fat foods should not be underestimated. Regular consumption can lead to blocked blood vessels, high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and other diseases, as well as digestive problems.
2. Unhygienic Food Containers
In addition to the food itself, the food containers may not be safe either. Some manufacturers may add harmful materials to disposable food containers in order to save costs during the production process.
The water, vinegar, and oil in the food can dissolve the harmful materials, which can enter the body with the food and cause indigestion, localized pain, and even liver and kidney damage.
3. Lack of Food Safety
On takeout platforms, there is often a discrepancy between the online appearance and the actual quality of the food. Due to the lack of thorough examination of the business license and other documents by some takeout platforms, there are many unscrupulous businesses, including illegal food workshops, which provide food with questionable safety. In addition, hygiene conditions are also a problem, as many people have experienced getting stomachaches after eating out.
4. Cold Leftovers Harmful to the Stomach
Many consumers are troubled by the delivery time of online takeout. Many have experienced the embarrassment of waiting for a meal that never arrived. "I placed the order at 6:30 pm, thinking it would be delivered soon since it wasn't far away, but I ended up waiting until after 8 pm. By the time the food arrived, it was cold and the soup had spilled. I didn't even feel like eating anymore." This is a true reflection of many people's experiences with ordering takeout. Eating cold leftovers is not only detrimental to digestion but also harmful to the stomach.
How to Eat Takeout Healthily?
1. Balanced Meals
The most common takeout combination is a dish with a bowl of rice. Some people prefer meat, so they order braised pork ribs. Some people prefer vegetarian dishes, so they often order stir-fried cabbage. However, regardless of the type of dish, if it is only paired with a staple food, there will be nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, when ordering takeout, pay attention to the balance between meat and vegetables. If you don't like meat, you can substitute it with eggs. If one meat dish and one vegetable dish are too much, it is recommended to order a dish that combines both.
2. Mix Chinese and Western Dishes
Reasonable allocation of Chinese and Western fast food: Generally speaking, many Chinese restaurants offer relatively healthy food options, such as lightly seasoned vegetables and dishes made from whole grains like millet porridge and cornmeal. They also offer unsweetened beverages like soybean milk and tea. On the other hand, Western fast food often includes fried foods, refined white rice and flour, and sweet drinks. It's important to make wise choices.
3. Choose Staples Wisely
Fried pancakes, stir-fried noodles, fried rice... These diverse staple foods are commonly ordered in takeout, but they are often high in oil, salt, or sugar. Takeout dishes tend to be oily, salty, and sweet, so when choosing a staple food, it is best to choose simple and lightly flavored options like plain rice, steamed buns, or dumplings with a mixture of vegetarian and meat fillings.
4. Eat Fruits After Meals
From the time the takeout is prepared to the time it is delivered, there is often a long period in between, during which the nutritional content of the vegetables may be greatly reduced. Additionally, the salt and fat content in boxed meals often exceed the recommended limits, while the amount of leafy vegetables is insufficient. It is recommended to bring your own fruits as a supplement, preferably eaten about an hour after lunch, and to rely on dinner to consume more leafy vegetables.
In conclusion, relying on takeout for meals is not a long-term solution, especially for office workers who often lack proper nutrition due to frequent takeout consumption. In addition, the ability to order takeout at any time without fixed meal times can easily lead to stomach problems. Therefore, I suggest that you try to avoid relying on takeout unless absolutely necessary, as your health should always be the top priority.
