It is a simple fact that diet plays a key role in good fitness. Working out is great, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
When people think of home cooking they often think of rich, heavy foods and desserts during the holidays. Such meals are often thought of as the enemy of your workout and your first inclination is to avoid them at all costs.
However, this is not exactly the case.
While stews, roasts, pies, pastas and more are certainly types of home cooked meals, most meals from home can be healthy, lean, and a great compliment to your diet.
Your fitness goals can be reached when you start making your own meals, but the benefits don’t stop there!
10 Advantages of Home Cooking
1- You Know Exactly What You’re Getting – While fast food and restaurant food are tasty, you don’t always know what’s in the food. The best, freshest ingredients may not be used which means that you might not be getting the healthiest choice. When you prepare your own food at home, you know exactly what ingredients are going into your meals and you can control just how healthier they are for you.
For example, you can choose low-sodium meats and cheeses for sandwiches, reduced sugar drinks, and even shop organic when it comes to fruit, veggies, and more. When you do your own food preparation, it takes all the guesswork out of a meal.
2 – You Save Money – While the individual prices may be low, eating out can really add up fairly quickly. With the money you save from preparing your own meals, you could have much more disposable income to use. The cost of groceries is an expense that comes up twice a month at most, making it doable for you. With this extra money, you can invest in supplements, protein powders, and even exercise gear that will help you meet your fitness goals.
3 – Food Safety – Under cooked veggies and meats, food-borne illnesses and more are risks of dining out at some restaurants. While the food you get in the grocery could carry similar risks, it I safer to prepare and cook your own foods because you know that nothing will be undercooked, left sitting out, or otherwise neglected.
4 – You Can Be As Creative As You Like – even at health food joints, you can only order what’s available. Meals, drinks, desserts, and more are all designated by the restaurant and you can only stray from the menu so much. When you cook you own food at home, can get as creative as you like with heathy ingredients and come up with your own recipes. Switching things up in kitchen can provide your body with a variety of minerals and nutrients as well delicious flavors.
5 – Guaranteed Freshness – Fresh foods are the best for your body and you may not always get the freshet options when you eat out. Foods can be sitting around for a while which can compromise flavor and nutrients. When you do your own shopping and preparing, you know you’re getting the freshest options available.
6 – It’s Relaxing – Relaxation is as important for your fitness as being active. When you relax, it releases happiness hormones like dopamine and oxytocin that reduce stress levels. Many find cooking to be a fun thing to do solo, with friends, or with your sweetie, so get in the kitchen and enjoy yourself.
7 – The Whole Family Can Benefit – If you have family members who have trouble eating healthfully, you can create dishes just for them. Kids, teens, and other adults can enjoy getting involved with food preparation and decide what they want to eat each day. You can make it fun with dishes like build your own pizzas and omelets, fruit smoothies, and organic baked goods.
8 – It Helps You Create a Schedule – Many people rush around and put off meals until they’re ravenous and willing to eat just about anything. This leads to poor habits like eating fast food frequently or throwing something together at the last minute. When you’ve got a set meal schedule, you’re more likely to pay attention to your body and feed good things.
9 – Good Eating Habits Spur Other Good Habits – When you have a healthy diet, it inspires you to get healthy in other areas of your life. You’re more likely to exercise, get more sleep, and practice healthier habits such as self-care and stress management.
10 – Nutrients – When you eat whole foods, you’re getting all the natural nutrients the food offers. Processed foods strip the food of much of their nutrients, offering only a small amount of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Home cooked foods are more likely to be fresh and whole, which means you’re treating your body to more nutrients than are present in the average meal.
