Navigating A Tight Schedule: How Fast Food Can Be A Lifesaver

The importance of eating good food cannot be overstated, nor can it be ignored. It's true that what we eat plays a significant role in defining who we are. The famous saying "You are what you eat" should never be taken lightly. Throughout the years, many people have unfortunately lost their lives or developed certain diseases due to poor eating choices. My mom is a nurse, and growing up with her was “war.” Every day, she filled our ears with health talks. She emphasized the importance of healthy eating. She'd always say things like: “Eating fruits is good for the body. Certain foods increase the cholesterol level. This food causes diabetes.” At a point, her care got to its vertex. It felt as if she didn't want us to eat anything at all.

I remember the time when my mom banned noodles in our house. Noodles were my sister's absolute favorite. She couldn't go a day without eating them. My mom attended a seminar at work where they discussed the harmful effects of noodles. Since then, my mom decided to ban noodles. It was tough for all of us, especially my sister, who had a deep love for noodles. Despite the ban, she would always find a way to sneak and cook them when my mom wasn't around. As they say, "Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner." Eventually, my mom caught her in the act one day and gave her the longest lecture of her life.

Over the years, there's been an ongoing debate about cooking versus fast food. Some people argue that cooking your own meals is healthier and more nutritious. This is because you get to supervise it and do everything as you please (to your taste). You have control over the ingredients you use, the method, and everything. On the other hand, others prefer fast food because it is time-saving, especially for those with busy schedules.

Growing up, I could only eat my mom’s food. When other people cooked, I found it hard to enjoy. Ogbono soup used to be my favorite meal, but there was a time my mom traveled and I was alone with my aunt. She cooked it for me once and I stopped liking it. My siblings, on the other hand, had no problem with eating out. Things changed when I gained admission into the university. My schedule was really tight, with lots of books to read and PDFs to cover, so I forced myself to adapt to fast food.

I enjoy cooking a lot. I learned how to cook a few years ago when I first left my parent's shed, and ever since, I have fallen in love with the art of cooking. I enjoy cooking food, especially Nigerian soups and jollof rice. They are my favorites. I enjoy the process of staying in the chicken, slicing and dicing. Adding, boiling, and everything. I love cooking a lot. But sometimes, due to my schedule, I opt for fast food. Imagine going for an 8 am class and coming back around 6 pm. I'm always so stressed that I would not even have the energy to light a match stick. So, I would rather opt for fast food.