5 Reasons Why It’s Important To Cook At Home

Sometimes it can be tempting to grab a quick bite out, or order in takeaways – after all, today’s busy lifestyle does not always allow us time to prepare a five course meal every night.

However, there are a few reasons that make it important to rely more on your own two hands to prepare meals, rather than those of the chef at the local pizza joint.

You know what’s gone into your meals

Rather than second guessing the ingredients list, and worrying about whether you are exposing you, or your children, to any harmful additives or pesticides, when you cook at home you know exactly what has gone into your delicious dinner.

You are in control of what you’re eating so you can avoid consuming any nasties. Choose organic, sustainably raised products to avoid added pesticides, hormones and chemical fertilizers.

Cooking at home is also healthier as you can minimise the amount of fats, salt and sugars going into your diet.

You can ensure your carbon footprint is lowered

Buying organic and sustainable products means there are fewer greenhouse gases and other chemicals added to the atmosphere.

Plus, you can choose reusable bags and wrappings rather than using plastics that cannot be reused, recycled or composted.

You can have lunch the next day

Plan to cook more food than you need to so that you have a delicious lunch for the next day. If you’re taking it to work or school, pop it in a reusable sandwich wrap so you are not creating more waste to go straight into landfill.

You can get the kids involved

The younger members of your family can easily be involved in meal preparation – give them a small job each, such as peeling the carrots or washing the lettuce.

This may also help ensure the future generations live sustainably and continue the cook at home tradition as you will be setting them up with skills to last a lifetime.

It tastes better

Fast food relies on fats and other additives for taste, while you can use more nutritious options at home to flavour your meals – add spices or honey rather than fats and sugars for healthful benefits.