Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health (2024)

You may be one of the 90 percent of Americans who don't like to cook-but you probably know, especially if you read EatingWell, that you should cook more. Because while eating out or ordering takeout saves time, it depletes your bank accounts and your health.

But you may not be aware that cooking any meal-whether or not the recipe is designed to be healthy-is better for your health than eating out. It's true: The health benefits of a home-cooked meal outweigh almost any other method of eating, no matter the recipe. Here's why.

Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health (1)

Pictured recipe:

You're in control of the ingredients

Lisa Valente, M.S., R.D., nutrition editor for EatingWell and Cooking Light, says one of the best parts about cooking at home is controlling the ingredients so you know exactly what you're eating.

This is important not only for people with dietary restrictions-as it can be frustrating figuring out which items at a restaurant are safe to eat-but also for anyone trying to eat healthier. You control the amount of salt, added sugar and spice going into your food when you're in charge-and can adjust it to suit your tastes. You can also follow your cravings while sticking to a healthy eating regimen by making lighter versions of your favorite meals.

You can better manage your weight

A 2014 study from Johns Hopkins University found that those who cooked at home frequently consumed fewer calories as well as less sugar and carbohydrates than those who made a home-cooked meal only once a week-whether they were attempting to lose weight or not.

Even the "best" option on a restaurant menu can still pack a shocking amount of calories, sodium, fat and sugar that you likely wouldn't have included if you were making the meal yourself. No matter the restaurant, the food is almost always more about taste than nutrition-that's what keeps customers coming back for more.

Our taste buds adapt based on what we are eating, meaning that the more we consume high amounts of salt, sugar and fat, the more our taste buds adjust. If you dine out, order takeout, or microwave a frozen meal for dinner most nights, your taste buds become inured to the heavier amounts of salt and sugar, so that lighter meals eventually begin to taste more bland. Luckily, that's reversible: cooking at home helps you readjust your taste buds to get more flavor from dishes without relying so heavily on salt, sugar and butter.

10 Secrets to Cooking Healthier

One 2017 study from the University of Cambridge found that people who cooked five nights a week or more were 28 percent less likely to have an overweight BMI and 24 percent less likely to have excess body fat than those who cooked three times a week or fewer. Cooking more at home can help you achieve your weight-loss goals.

Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health (2)

Pictured recipe: Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

You'll eat more variety

Even if you just have a kitchen full of veggies, whole grains and healthy proteins, that is still better than having dozens of restaurants at your fingertips (thank you, Seamless). People were more likely to adhere to DASH or Mediterranean Diet eating patterns and consume more fruits and vegetables if they cooked at home five nights a week compared to those who only cooked three nights a week or less.

Healthy Mediterranean Recipes

Cooking makes it easier to practice portion control

The average restaurant meal contains a whopping 1,200 calories. Cooking your own meals can help you stock up on multiple servings for the next day's lunch or another night's dinner, and if you are only cooking a healthy portion, it can also keep you from being tempted to eat too much food.

The National Institute of Health reports that restaurants' super-sized portions distort our idea of what a healthy serving of food should look like, which can affect how much we eat at home. The more you cook, the more you can resolve that portion distortion if you are ensuring you serve a healthful amount of whatever's on the menu. Plus, you're a whole lot more likely to finish that side of Brussels sprouts when you've put in the effort to make them yourself.

10 Simple Ways to Control Portion Sizes

Cooking brings pleasure

Cooking is associated with stress relief, encouraging creativity and feelings of positivity. It can connect us with others-bringing a partner, child or other loved one into the kitchen with us makes for fond memories and provides an avenue for nutrition education along the way. Some countries' dietary guidelines actually stress the importance of cooking and dining in community.

Getting into the kitchen more frequently builds confidence, and learning (or teaching someone) to cook can bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Cooking also allows one to engage the right side of our brains-sparking creativity that we may not often get the opportunity to use in our busy lives. You can experiment with different versions of a favorite recipe and create both happy kitchen experiments and memories.

9 Simple Ways to Be a Better Cook

Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health (3)

Pictured recipe: Strawberry-Mango-Banana Smoothie

Tips for becoming a better, healthier cook

Valente says healthy meals don't have to be synonymous with complicated-and they certainly don't have to be expensive. While you're welcome to shop in specialty stores and buy organic ingredients, generic brands and conventional produce are just fine. In fact, some of the healthiest items in the store are also the cheapest. Here are some of Valente's favorites:

  • Frozen fruits and vegetableswith no added sugar or salt for healthy smoothies and stir-fries
  • Canned goodslike beans, tuna, coconut milk and tomatoes make a healthy foundation for quick weeknight dinners
  • Whole grainslike whole-wheat pasta, brown rice and oatmeal

"Try to serve a vegetable, protein and whole grain at dinner when you can," Valente says. "But sometimes that might look like mac and cheese with a side of sliced cucumbers, and that's OK."

Check out some of our favorite, healthy 20-minute meals to help you get started. Happy cooking!

Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health (2024)

FAQs

Why Cooking—No Matter the Recipe—Is Better for Your Health? ›

1. You eat fewer calories without even realizing it. Restaurant meals are often heavy on butter and salt, while packaged food is typically loaded with sodium and additives. Dishes made at home, however, tend to be more nutritious and contain fewer calories.

Why cooking no matter the recipe is better for your health? ›

1. You eat fewer calories without even realizing it. Restaurant meals are often heavy on butter and salt, while packaged food is typically loaded with sodium and additives. Dishes made at home, however, tend to be more nutritious and contain fewer calories.

Why is cooking so important for healthy eating? ›

When you prepare your own meals, you have more control over the ingredients. By cooking for yourself, you can ensure that you and your family eat fresh, wholesome meals. This can help you to look and feel healthier, boost your energy, stabilize your weight and mood, and improve your sleep and resilience to stress.

Why is home cooked food considered best for health? ›

When we prepare food at home, we ensure that the ingredients are fresh and natural. The nutritional value of these foods is much higher than that of restaurant foods. Fast food restaurants add a lot of salt, sugar, and unhealthy oil to their food.

Why are healthy recipes important? ›

A healthy diet is essential for good health and nutrition. It protects you against many chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars and saturated and industrially-produced trans-fats, are essential for healthy diet.

Can you be healthy without cooking? ›

The good news is that there are many foods you can turn into delicious and nutritious meals without having to cook or spend much time in the kitchen. By doing so, you'll not only eat healthier, but you'll save money because you won't order takeout or go out to eat so often. That's a win-win!

Why is homemade food better than fast food? ›

One of the primary benefits of home-cooked meals is the control they provide. When you cook at home, you have complete control over what goes into your food, including the quality of ingredients, the amount of salt, sugar, and fat, and the cooking methods used.

How does cooking affect mental health? ›

These activities alleviate depression by "increasing goal oriented behavior and curbing procrastination." Cooking can help people focus on a task, which can give them a sense of power and control that they might not naturally have on their own in their daily lives outside the kitchen.

Is cooking cheaper than eating out? ›

In general, preparing food at home is often less expensive than eating out or getting delivery, especially if you are cooking in bulk and using ingredients that are on sale or in season.

Why is homemade so much better? ›

You're in control of the ingredients

You control the amount of salt, added sugar and spice going into your food when you're in charge-and can adjust it to suit your tastes. You can also follow your cravings while sticking to a healthy eating regimen by making lighter versions of your favorite meals.

What is the healthiest way to cook food? ›

Summary
  • In many cases, favourite recipes can be modified so they have a lower fat content.
  • Choose to steam, bake, grill, braise, boil or microwave your foods, rather than deep fry them.
  • Use non-stick cookware.
  • Microwave or steam your vegetables instead of boiling them to retain the nutrients.
Sep 13, 2022

What is the most unhealthy cooking method? ›

Deep-frying is one of the worst ways to cook your food, as it bathes your food in oxidized fats, denatured proteins, and glycated sugars. The high temperatures used during deep-frying produce a number of toxic compounds that may increase your risk of cancer.

Does cooking at home save money? ›

Eating out can be expensive because you're paying for not only the food but also the service, location and convenience too. But when you cook at home, you can buy ingredients in bulk for cost-effective shopping, plan meals ahead of time, and make use of leftovers, which can all help to save you money.

What is the importance of healthy food essay? ›

It helps us in various spheres of life. Healthy food does not only impact our physical health but mental health too. When we intake healthy fruits and vegetables that are full of nutrients, we reduce the chances of diseases. For instance, green vegetables help us to maintain strength and vigor.

Why is it important to eat healthy and unhealthy food? ›

Health benefits - Healthy foods can relieve you from muscle aches, joint pains, fatigue, heart problems and facilitate efficient body functions for growth and development. Conversely, unhealthy foods can increase your risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6432

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.