Look at fare conditions for changes. However, I'd recommend you go with the flight that works best for your onward flight to Europe. A one hour stop just adds take-off, landing, cabin disturbance etc. It's a good opportunity to stretch your legs, but you can do that walking around the aircraft. It's better than being at DXB for 6 hours instead.

The only advantage I know of with special meals is that you get to eat sooner than everyone else. On EK they don't usually run out of meal options, and the regular food is pretty good imo. Special meals reduce opup chances though, so I doubt many on FT would subscribe to the idea of ordering them.