Dedicating time and energy to home-cooked meals is a difficult task. Especially, when you are a busy parent or a working individual living alone. After working hours, you only want to indulge in a happy meal and doze off. Ordering in or dining out might be the easiest way to end the hectic day.
Now this cycle might continue for months and months until you notice how your health and metabolism have started deteriorating. The primary reason is that convenience food is high in chemicals, salt, sugar, and unhealthy fat. It can take a toll on your physical as well as mental health and leave you feeling groggy, anxious, bloated, and tired.
The only way to take the reins of your health in hand is by cooking at home. It does not have to be complicated. All you need is a little preparation that can go a long way. Choosing simple recipes for home-cooked meals can keep you satiated, and healthy, and provide multiple benefits. In this blog, we are going to highlight 7 overlooked benefits of eating home-cooked meals.
1. Portion Control
Restaurant-style meals offer larger portions, enough to feed two to three individuals in addition to that you are urged to overeat. At home, however, the situation is different. Over here, you are aware of portion control and how to cook food for one individual. Even if there’s leftover food, you can always store it away and eat it the next day. There’s no pressure to overeat. Once the habit of eating healthy home-cooked meals is developed, you will not overeat and avoid mindless snacking throughout the day.
2. Choosing the Fresh Produce
Another added benefit of home-cooked meals is that you have complete control over the ingredients. This means you can source fresh produce and opt for ingredients that do not have any extra preservatives, high-content sugar, or unhealthy fats. You can also customize your meals to meet the dietary requirements and remove the ingredients that cause allergies. By using fresh and whole ingredients a balanced meal is consumed that supports your health.
3. More Veggies & Whole Grains
Incorporating green leafy vegetables will bring in more benefits for your health. It contains nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, protein, and minerals that can power up our body and make us feel good. Additionally, consider eating seasonal fruits for additional requirements. If you are allergic to certain grains or pulses, you can switch to healthy flour alternatives for home-cooked dishes. This approach will support weight management and even safeguard you from chronic diseases.
4. Brings the Family Time Together
Spending time with friends and family is linked with mental and overall well-being. It can keep loneliness at arm’s length and foster more nurturing and loving time. As you plan to cook food, invite your children to join the kitchen and assign them simple tasks. Try out the recipes that excite you all. This allows you to spend more time together and helps them in learning basic life skills. If you are living on your own, consider taking cooking classes together where you can make new friends and pick up new skills. If you are not up for cooking classes, then a potluck seems great to bond time together with friends, co-workers, or relatives.
5. Consciously Aware
It’s safe to say that all of us at some point mindlessly have food. It could be because of anxiety, stress or sometimes it could be we are engrossed in multitasking at work. But when you sit down to eat the food on the plate cooked for you, there is a high chance that you will savor every bite of it. From noticing the flavor, and ingredients to eating mindfully – you will be consciously aware of the food that is going in your system. Appreciating the act of eating and cooking will also evoke gratitude and make you feel centered.
6. Hygiene and Safety
Even the most high-profile restaurants and food chains have cases of food poisoning. This proves that irrespective of where you order or dine in from, hygiene and safety can be unstable in various circumstances.
The benefits of home-cooked meals give you better control over cleanliness, food safety, and hygiene. For instance, after purchasing the leafy vegetables you can soak them in water plus salt for an hour, wash them thoroughly, and use a paper towel or a soft muslin cloth to dry them. Washing hands before preparing food and serving meals will ensure that your family stays safe. These are basic practices that one has to follow to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
7. Saving Time & Money
Dining out on the go may seem the quickest option. But the amount it will continue to burn in your pocket is not worth it. Cooking at home is undoubtedly less costly. You can plan your menu during the weekend and then buy the groceries accordingly. Another advantage of home-cooked meals is that you can use leftovers from one meal to create the next meal. It saves time and money while taking care of the nutritional content.
There’s something special about cooking meals at home from scratch. It cannot be compared to ordering in or dining out. As you gradually cook food at home, you will not only reap more benefits but slowly fall in love with the process of cooking. So get your apron on, gather all the ingredients, and cook your favorite food!
Riya Nanda, is part of the dynamic content team at Rotimatic. With a passion for productivity, health, and fitness, Riya brings a unique perspective to the content she develops, offering practical tips and insights for fellow busy professionals looking to achieve a balanced lifestyle. When she’s not crafting engaging content, Riya enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, sharing delightful recipes, and hosting game nights with friends. Her unique blend of professional insights and personal interests makes her a relatable and valuable voice in the world of content creation.
