In today’s fast-paced world, People can find it challenging to find the time and motivation to cook meals at home.
With the convenience of takeout and processed food, People get tempted by these quick and easy options.
However, we should not ignore the benefits of home cooked food.
There is a reason doctors & nutritionists highly recommend consuming home-cooked meals & that is because you have complete control over the ingredients you add, leading to healthier and more nutritious meals.
In this article, we will explore some of the benefits, starting from healthier ingredients to establishing healthy eating habits.
According to a recent study, individuals who have a habit of eating home-cooked meals have a healthier diet and consume fewer calories compared to those who regularly eat outside.
In addition, it can also provide you with an opportunity to experiment with new flavors & ingredients.
So if you want to improve your health, finances & overall well-being, continue reading this article as we will uncover numerous homemade food benefits.
1. Healthier ingredients
You have complete control over the ingredients you add while preparing the dish, which is one of the significant advantages of homemade food. You can fully avoid additives, preservatives & unhealthy fats common in processed and takeout food. You can prepare nutrient-rich meals having a low amount of calories, sugar & carbon by making use of fresh, whole ingredients.
2. Portion control
Have you ever faced a situation where hotels or restaurants have served you orders larger; than a single serving? We are sure you guys did! When you tend to eat outside, you have no control over the portion leading to overeating and weight gain. On the other hand, cooking at home will give you complete control over the portion sizes, ensuring that you are eating the right amount & avoiding excess calorie intake.
3. Customisable to Your Preferences
When you cook at home, you can customize the dish according to your preferences & this means that you can add your own flavors & ingredients to your meals. You can adjust the seasoning, add/remove the ingredients or even create unique dishes based on your taste preferences. Doing this will allow you to enjoy your meals as it has been tailored to meet your unique dietary needs.
4. Saves money
One of the significant benefits of eating homemade food is that it saves you a ton of money. Eating or ordering from outside can be expensive. We are not saying that no restaurants/hotels are offering affordable dishes, but most are costly. Cooking at home will provide you with an opportunity to buy ingredients in bulk, shop for sales & even prepare meals that can be stretched over several days, reducing your overall food expenses.
Average monthly cost (Homemade Meals vs Eating Outside):
| Preparing Meals at Home | Eating Out Regularly | |
| Estimated Monthly Cost Range | INR 5,000 – INR 15,000 | INR 10,000 – INR 30,000 |
| Single Person Household | INR 3,500 – INR 8,000 | INR 5,000 – INR 15,000 |
| Family of Four | INR 12,000 – INR 25,000 | INR 25,000 – INR 60,000 |
| Health-Conscious Options | INR 8,000 – INR 20,000 | INR 15,000 – INR 40,000 |
( Note: These are just estimates and the actual costs can vary depending on various factors)
5. Bonding Opportunity
Who does not want to bond with their family? We assume nobody does! Cooking at home will increase your chances of bonding with your family & friends. By staying together, you can make the experience of preparing meals fun and interactive. In addition, you also get the option of sharing meals, promoting communication, and strengthening relationships.
6. Better for environment
By preparing meals at home, you also will be helping the environment but how? Home cooking leads to low usage of environment-degrading materials like plastic packaging, disposable containers, and single-use utensils. You will get a chance to support the local farmers by using sustainable ingredients leading to the reduction of the environmental impact of food production.
7. Greater variety
Eating from outside or ordering takeout can often result in consuming the same dishes repeatedly but cooking at home will provide you with an opportunity of trying out new dishes & exploring different cuisines. You can make your menu more diverse & even exciting by trying out ingredients and spices you may not have tried before.
8. More nutritious
If given an option of choosing between homemade food and takeout food, Opt for homemade food as it is far more nutritious. You can prepare meals rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins & other essential nutrients because you can use vegetables, whole grains & lean proteins, which can improve your overall health and well-being.
Nutrition chart:
| Nutrient | Homemade Meal (per 100g) | Outside Food (per 100g) |
| Calories | 150 – 250 kcal | 300 – 500 kcal |
| Protein | 5 – 20 g | 10 – 25 g |
| Fat | 5 – 10 g | 15 – 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 – 30 g | 30 – 50 g |
| Fiber | 1 – 5 g | 0 – 2 g |
| Vitamins | Rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K | Limited variety and quantity |
| Minerals | Rich in minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium | Limited variety and quantity |
| Salt | 0.5 – 1.5 g | 1.5 – 3 g |
| Sugar | 0 – 10 g | 10 – 30 g |
(Note: These are general values and can vary depending on the specific food and cooking methods used)
9. Easier to Accommodate Special Diets
It’s hard to find suitable options at restaurants & takeout places, especially if you have diet restrictions and preferences. Cooking at home will allow you to prepare meals meeting your specific needs, whether it is food allergies, a particular diet, or you prefer to have certain ingredients.
10. Teaches Valuable Skills
Cooking at home is not only about nutrition and cost-cutting, but it also provides an opportunity of learning valuable skills like patience, attention to detail, and creativity. Because you would need to prepare meals from scratch, you will learn all the essential cooking techniques like chopping, sauteing, and baking. In addition, you will also learn how to select and store ingredients, reducing food wastage & saving money.
11. Reduces Food Waste
Food waste is a significant cause of concern, with approximately 1/3 of the food produced globally getting wasted. However, one can deal with this by cooking at home because then you would be buying only the required items by planning the meals. Now, this will benefit in two ways:
1) You will avoid overbuying
2) There won’t be excess food remaining to throw out
12. Improves mental health
Along with saving money, adding more nutrition & avoiding food wastage, you also will be doing a favor to your mental health. Cooking is a meditative & relaxing act allowing you to focus on the task at hand by decreasing your stress and anxiety. In addition, homemade foods are mood and energy level boosters & are far more nutritious than processed or takeout food.
13. Helps Establish Healthy Eating Habits
You will be establishing healthy eating habits as you would be preparing you own meals containing only the ingredients you want, thus ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet. You would also get an option of doing healthier swaps for example replacing butter with olive oil and swapping white rice for brown rice. Yes, these are minor changes but even these tiny changes can significantly improve your overall health and well-being.
14. Creative outlet
Cooking at home will allow you to unleash your imagination & creativity by allowing you to experiment with different flavors, and ingredients & express yourself. In addition, you can even try new recipes and techniques that can be exciting and even lead to the invention of new dishes.
5 creative homemade meals with their basic ingredients:
| Meal | Ingredients |
| Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos | black beans, sweet potatoes, corn tortillas, red onion, avocado, lime, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt |
| Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta | pasta, mushrooms, spinach, onion, garlic, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, vegetable broth, salt, pepper |
| Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry | chicken breast, broccoli, carrots, bell pepper, onion, garlic, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, pepper |
| Veggie Stuffed Bell Peppers | bell peppers, quinoa, black beans, corn, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, cheddar cheese |
| Lentil Curry with Coconut Milk | lentils, onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, coconut milk, vegetable broth, curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, pepper |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are numerous homemade food advantages, including healthier meals and cost control. It can foster a sense of community & social connection. In addition, it can also contribute to a sustainable lifestyle by reducing waste and supporting local agriculture. In summary, the benefits provided by homemade food are just beyond the meal itself by providing a healthier, sustainable, and more fulfilling lifestyle.
