Microwave meals lift early death risk

I admit, a few years ago I was probably known as "pierce film-lid" man - I would only buy ready meals, never cooked, and enjoyed that lifestyle. I have changed. I do occasionally buy a ready meal. It can be convenient and some are very nice - and it does save time cooking.

However, a new study, published in the British Medical Journal, and completed by the University of Navarra in Spain, monitoring people aged 20 to 91 over 14 years, says that "ready meals and other highly processed foods greatly increase the risk of early death."

People who ate more than four servings a day are nearly 62 per cent more likely to die young than those who consume less than two. Each additional item raises the risk by 18 per cent, according to the study of 20,000 people. Danger foods include microwave meals with additives, pre-packaged baked goods, fizzy drinks and sugary cereals. Also on the list are dehydrated soups and reconstituted fish and meat products, such as chicken nuggets. These products often contain high levels of added fat, salt or sugar, but little fibre and fewer vitamins.

Meanwhile, the University of Paris found eating 10 per cent more highly processed food is linked to a 12 per cent greater risk of cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks.  It also raises the risk of coronary heat disease by 13 per cent, and of suffering a stroke and other "cerebrovascular" illnesses by 11 per cent.

Cooking meals can be fulfilling for mental health, as well as better for you nutritionally. It can be fun to bring people together too.