HEALTHY FOOD THAT’S VALUE FOR MONEY
When images of the canteen meals prepared by central kitchens surfaced online, some netizens had likened them to hospital meals.
So far, I’ve only seen the meals through photos on the online ordering system, and my child says the actual dishes look very much like what is shown.
My child’s main complaint is that she misses “normal” pasta and white rice, as only multi-grain versions are served. Since then, I’ve been gradually introducing brown rice and grains like quinoa and buckwheat into our family meals, so we can all get used to eating whole grains.
I also find myself hiding my delight when my child grumbles about having a large portion of vegetables. In that sense, this shift to a central kitchen model may be the start of healthier eating habits.
For a serving that includes carbohydrates, vegetables and protein, the meals – which cost S$2 for a small portion and S$2.50 to S$3 for a regular portion – are also good value for money.
Compare this with my child’s previous favourite dish – a S$1.80 tomato sauce macaroni from a stall at the school canteen, one of the few safe options available for her. Still, it was a small plate of pasta, stir-fried in tomato ketchup with a few slices of canned button mushrooms alongside three stalks of chye sim. Cheese powder was available at an extra cost. The meals she now receives definitely offer better nutritional value for what we pay.
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