The Baking Queen

Cooking does more than just save money, many experts say. Not only does cooking at home bring families together, but it also can vastly improve your health.

People consume 50% more fat, sodium and calories when they eat out in restaurants, according to USA Today. This is because the more you eat in, the more control you have over what you eat. Eating at home allows you to monitor your portion size and also lets you decide how much fat or oil you want in your food. Eating in your own kitchen lets you make appropriately sized dishes with ingredients you actually like. You can cook with more fruits, vegetables and lean protein, using less heavy and creamy sauces.

Overeating from restaurants also leads to obesity, which can cause certain types of cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. In fact, experts believe that 1/3 of cancers are related to diet. This is why it is important to follow a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These three food groups are often lacking in restaurants. A lack of healthy foods can lead to infectious diseases as well if you do not receive the appropriate vitamins and nutrients. Some even say that cooking for a sick person is an act that makes him or her feel better, while cooking for someone else can soothe your own body or mind.

Although the majority of people don’t think about it, cooking itself is a relaxing activity. It can be a great way to wind down from a stressful work day, and it is a very effective activity in bringing family together. Kids can help set the table or prepare the meal. If they feel they were a part of putting the meal together, then they are often more likely to want to eat the healthy meal. Cooking on the grill is another great way to bring together friends and family in the summertime. It even gets men involved in cooking! Grilling is a fast and easy way to make a healthy dinner during the week.

Family meal-time is especially important for kids. Statistics show that American kids eat about 1/3 of their meals at fast food restaurants. A 2008 study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest also revealed that out of 13 fast food chains, about 93% have too many calories in their kids meals! It has even been proven that kids who eat with family watch less television, are more active, and are more healthy overall.

And don’t forget, in these economic times it truly pays to cook at home. You can save enough money to pay for a week of groceries just by cutting the cost of a few meals out.

Popularity: unranked [?]