Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Cravin' for some jerk pork or chicken? No need to run to the pan man, Tropical Choice has the flavour all packed into this little box. Pop it into your microwave, and you are good to go. Found in John R. Wong.

With today's hectic work schedule - managing a family and dealing with unexpected errands - finding the time to prepare a proper meal seems almost impossible.

If you are someone who is always on the go, then maybe convenience foods are for you.

Convenience foods have been designed to save not only time, but they also reduce waste and spoilage. Using convenience foods is great for the woman/man on the go as it requires minimum preparation. These foods also have a long shelf life, while maintaining most of the natural flavours and nutrients of the foods.

Certainly, in the last few years, this market has expanded, and so shelves are no longer flooded with imported convenience products as local companies have caught on to the trend.

Supermarkets, too, have joined the gang and have started to provide pre-seasoned meats on their shelves.

From chicken to pork, you name it, it's all there.

Today, Food shares some of the exciting choices now on our local shelves that will save you time and money while you try to balance your life. All foods were shot in John R. Wong and Super Plus supermarkets. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of these convenient products.

Advantages

These quick and easily products can save time and require few cooking skills. Vegetables, for example, are already cleaned - washing, peeling and cutting are unnecessary.

The production, storage and sale of industrially prepared products are subject to strict regulation and controls. Properly stored ready-to-use products are bacteriologically safer than fresh goods. The shelf-life can be extended with additives.

Modern production techniques and preservation methods minimise the nutritional loss of pre-cooked products. No more vitamins or minerals are lost than in the home kitchen.

No more standing in the hot kitchen for an hour cooking your favourite meal. Homestyles has the perfect brown stew chicken, stew pork and stew peas for you. Found in John R. Wong.