The fact that food is easier to prepare has improved the way people live. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

On the whole, I agree that the easier preparation of food has improved the way people live. The modern consumer can buy a variety of instant foods that save valuable time. In turn, this translates to more ambitious and more delicious food for people or more productivity in other aspects of living.

For example, instead of having to buy a coconut, having it split, drained, scraped, and then rendered of its milk, we can just buy a packet of dried instant coconut milk. Instead of waiting for the tamarind season, harvesting the fruit, washing them, then boiling the pods and crushing them for their souring essence, there are several brands of instant tamarind-based souring ingredients available.

But I have to say generally because the consumption of instant foods comes with a price. For one, they can cost us more. Retail instant food is in many cases more expensive than home-cooking. Another disadvantage is they create dependency. People forget how to make things from scratch. Many default to living off canned foods and instant meals from the store. Finally, instant food can change eating habits to the detriment of health. They can greatly increase the intake of food elements like chemicals, fats, and sugars to dangerous levels. Often, not enough studies have been made on the long-term health effects of many of these instant foods.

However, because it is difficult to objectively assess the bigger picture, I nevertheless have to agree that because food preparation has become easier, the way people live has improved.