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Over the past several years there has been a change to how we eat. More people are moving away from eating out and purchasing convenience foods and are opting to start cooking from scratch. This began in 2020 when people weren’t able to go out to eat because they had to quarantine at home. But now the cost of eating out is skyrocketing. And more people are becoming conscious of what they are actually eating. Because of this, more people are moving back to making homemade meals.
Here are some of the benefits of making homemade meals
Healthier ingredients
Making homemade meals gives you greater control over the ingredients you use. You can choose fresh, whole ingredients, avoiding processed foods with additives, preservatives, and unhealthy fats. You can also choose organic over conventional to avoid additional exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
Meals cooked at home typically have greater nutritional value. Meals made from scratch often retain more nutrients, as you can incorporate fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Most factory-processed foods have had many vital nutrients processed out of the product. This is why adding synthetic vitamins and minerals is common in the food industry. Making meals using whole, unprocessed ingredients gives you a greater range of healthy, natural nutrients that are easier for your body to use.
You can customize any dietary needs
Food allergies and intolerances are much more common these days. More and more people find that they cannot eat common foods such as wheat or dairy. But when you cook at home you can easily accommodate food allergies or intolerances by selecting safe ingredients.
Many moms have one or more picky eaters at home. Making homemade meals allows you to adapt meals to your personal preferences. You can adapt meals to suit your taste, dietary preferences, or specific nutritional goals, such as reducing sugar or increasing fiber. This gives you the power to make meals that can satisfy even the pickiest eaters in the family!
It saves you money
A big reason why more people are returning to the kitchen is that it is more economical. Preparing meals from scratch is often cheaper than buying pre-packaged or takeout meals, especially when cooking in bulk.
Another way you can save money is by reducing food waste. When you cook at home you can use ingredients more efficiently, minimizing food waste by repurposing leftovers and using up pantry staples.
Enhanced flavor and greater satisfaction
The standard American diet is filled with salt, sugar, and plenty of additives to make it taste good. And people have gotten so used to processed and convenience foods that they have forgotten just how good homemade meals can taste. I think they taste better than the processed foods. This is because fresh ingredients and the ability to season to your liking often result in more flavorful and satisfying meals.
One thing that I personally love about cooking meals from scratch is that it allows for some creativity in the kitchen. Experimenting with different recipes and ingredients can be a fun and rewarding experience. And I’m speaking from experience on this one. I LOVE creating new recipes, and taking existing recipes and changing them up a bit.
Mindful Eating
How often do you eat a meal on the run and find that you don’t really even remember eating because your mind was elsewhere? It is easy to eat mindlessly. Cooking from scratch and eating at home often helps you to be more mindful while eating. Preparing food from scratch encourages a greater awareness of what you’re eating, which can lead to healthier choices and portion control.
Cooking also helps you appreciate the effort and care that goes into making a meal, fostering a stronger connection to what you eat.
Family and Social Benefits
All around the world, eating is a very social event. There is a reason why most parties and gatherings involve a meal. Making homemade meals encourages bonding. Cooking together can be a bonding experience with family or friends, creating lasting memories. Growing up there were plenty of times when I helped my Mom in the kitchen. And it wasn’t unusual to have most of the family there, talking and helping out while we prepared a Sunday dinner or holiday meal. Many of those times still hold powerful memories.
Cooking with friends can also be fun! Often my friends gather for parties and I enjoy getting to the party early to help the host finish cooking for the party. It is always a time of great conversation and connection.
Cooking homemade meals together also can create valuable teaching moments. It provides an opportunity to teach children or others about nutrition, cooking skills, and the value of homemade meals. I was fortunate to grow up in a time when home economics was taught in middle school. But I learned far more about cooking from scratch from cooking with my Mom.
Sustainability
Cooking homemade meals is definitely more eco-friendly. Making meals from scratch can reduce reliance on single-use packaging and processed foods, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. This is ultimately healthier for our planet.
These benefits make cooking from scratch worthwhile, leading to better health, cost savings, and overall satisfaction.
