👧👦 Talk Boosters – Topic 39: 🎙️ Topic: “Which Do You Prefer – Traditional Meals or New-Style Food?”
🗣️ Talk Boosters – Topic: “Which Do You Prefer – Traditional Meals or New-Style Food?”
🧑🏫 Instructions for Students:
Speak for 3–5 minutes sharing your thoughts and personal preference. Be honest and clear. Try to include examples from your own eating habits or family traditions.
💬 Try using phrases like:
👉 I think..., In my opinion..., From my experience..., I prefer..., The reason is..., Compared to..., That’s why I like...
🎯 Focus on using:
✅ Simple present tense
✅ Comparative forms (better than, healthier than, tastier than)
✅ Cause-effect connectors (because, so, that’s why)
🗣️ Sample Speech Starter:
Hello everyone,
Today, I’d like to talk about a common but interesting topic:
Which do I prefer – traditional meals or new-style food?
In my opinion, I prefer traditional meals because they feel more natural and healthy. At home, we often eat rice, vegetables, and curries that my grandmother used to make. They’re simple but full of flavor and nutrition.
New-style food like burgers, noodles, or frozen snacks may be tasty and quick, but I don’t think they are good for health if eaten too often. Also, traditional meals carry family memories and cultural value. For example, during festivals, we eat special dishes made only once a year — and that makes them special.
However, I sometimes enjoy new food too, especially when I go out with friends. So I think both types have their place, but overall, I feel traditional meals are better for the long term.
That’s why I choose traditional food — it’s part of who I am.
Thank you.
❓ Follow-up Questions:
1️⃣ What are some traditional meals you enjoy at home?
2️⃣ How often do you eat fast food or new-style food?
3️⃣ Do you think traditional food is healthier? Why or why not?
4️⃣ What are the advantages of modern food?
5️⃣ Which is more common in your home — traditional or modern food?
6️⃣ Have your eating habits changed in recent years?
7️⃣ Do you enjoy cooking traditional meals?
8️⃣ What traditional dish is your favorite and why?
9️⃣ Do you think young people are forgetting traditional food?
🔟 If you could choose only one type of food forever — traditional or modern — what would it be?
🔄 Additional Follow-up Questions:
1️⃣ Do you think traditional meals take more time to prepare than modern ones?
2️⃣ Have you ever tried traditional food from another culture? What was it like?
3️⃣ How do advertisements influence people to eat modern or fast food?
4️⃣ What do your grandparents say about the food people eat today?
5️⃣ Do you think schools should teach students how to cook traditional meals?
6️⃣ How does food affect your health and energy levels?
7️⃣ What are some common ingredients used in traditional cooking in your region?
8️⃣ Do you think traditional foods are disappearing? Why or why not?
9️⃣ If you had to serve a guest, would you prefer to give them a traditional meal or a modern one? Why?
🔟 How can we encourage young people to appreciate traditional food?
SAMPLE 1/1
Today, I would like to talk about a question many students from my place often think about: Which do you prefer – traditional meals or new-style food?
I come from a small village near Thrissur in Kerala. In my home, we still follow many traditional practices, especially when it comes to food. So for me, this topic is very close to my heart. I have grown up eating traditional Kerala meals — rice, sambar, thoran, avial, chutney, and sometimes fish curry. Everything is served on a banana leaf during festivals. It’s a part of our identity.
But in recent years, I have seen big changes. Many young people now prefer new-style food — like burgers, pizza, noodles, shawarma, fried rice, and cold drinks. These are available everywhere — in bakeries, food trucks, and even small shops. Food delivery apps bring it to your home in 20 minutes!
In my opinion, I still prefer traditional meals. The main reason is health. Traditional food is cooked at home with fresh vegetables, coconut, and spices. There are fewer chemicals and preservatives. My grandmother always says, "Nammude bhakshanam thanne aayirunnu arogayathinte rahasyam" (our food itself was the secret to our good health).
Another reason is the emotional connection. When I eat puttu and kadala on a rainy morning or kanji with payar and pickle on a tired evening, it reminds me of my childhood. These are not just food items — they are memories. New food may be tasty, but it doesn’t give that same feeling.
However, I understand why many people love modern food. It’s fast, exciting, and trendy. Even I enjoy it sometimes, especially when I go out with friends. I love trying something new like momo or burgers once in a while. But I don’t think it should replace our everyday meals.
I’ve noticed some problems too. Many school children now prefer snacks like chips and soft drinks instead of proper meals. Obesity and stomach problems are increasing. My uncle, who runs a small ayurvedic clinic, always says that lifestyle diseases are rising because we are forgetting our food culture.
My parents try to keep a balance. We eat traditional food at home most days, but they allow us to enjoy new food once or twice a week. I think this is a healthy way. We can enjoy both — but not forget the roots.
Also, traditional food brings people together. During Onam, Vishu, or even a family wedding, the variety of dishes on the banana leaf shows the richness of our culture. There’s something very special about sitting together on the floor and eating with hands, sharing laughs and stories. It creates a bond that fast food can never give.
From my experience, I believe schools and families should talk more about the value of traditional meals. We must teach children how to prepare simple dishes like rice and curry or chapati and vegetable kurma. Knowing how to cook is a life skill. Even boys should learn it.
In my school, we once had a ‘Nadan food day’. Students brought homemade dishes like kappa and meen curry, idiyappam and stew, or dosa and chutney. It was one of the best experiences. We not only enjoyed the food, but we also understood our friends’ family culture and values through what they brought.
I also want to mention that traditional food is more eco-friendly. In our home, we use banana leaves, steel plates, and coconut shells for cooking and serving. There is very little waste. But with new-style food, we see plastic packaging, wrappers, and disposable cups everywhere. That’s bad for the environment.
In conclusion, I personally prefer traditional food over new-style food. It is healthier, meaningful, and more sustainable. But I also believe we can enjoy new food occasionally — just not as a replacement. Food is a part of who we are, and we should protect and celebrate our food traditions.
Thank you for listening. ”