The Health and Lifestyle Benefits of Cooking At Home #homecooking #eatathome #eathealthy

Today, The Weekend Gourmet's correspondent is sharing some health benefits of cooking at home rather than dining out. Be selecting healthy foods -- and cooking methods -- you can enjoy a delicious and healthy meal at home!

It's hard to think of many people who don’t appreciate a home-cooked meal. Not only are home-cooked meals comforting, but they can also mean you're eating better. That's because you know exactly what ingredients are going into each dish that you prepare! Not only can you contribute to the health of your family -- but also to the planet, the community, and your finances (since cooking at home can be much cheaper). If you're someone who thinks they can’t cook...or can't seem to find time to cook...then it's time to think again! There are many benefits to cooking at home.

Cooking at home is something the whole family can get involved in, from young children to grandparents. It's also an activity that adults who have hearing difficulties can enjoy -- because they only need to be able to read a cookbook or printed recipe to take part. Of course, you can also learn more about hearing aids and how they can help in everyday life.

There's plenty of other information you can learn about home cooking that can be beneficial.

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Portion Control

Many restaurants like to give the appearance of value by offering diners larger portions of food. There are also "all you can eat" and buffet-style restaurants that may encourage customers to overeat. Cooking at home, however, can make it easier to both control and manage the portion size of your food. Cooking at home means you can cook the exact amount of food for one meal...or cook extra food to have leftovers for the next day.

You Can Maintain Nutrition

When you cook at home, you have much more control over the ingredients you use. You decide what kind of foods to cook, how much food to cook, and the cooking method to maximize the meal's nutrition. For example, overcooking some foods -- especially veggies -- can remove some of their

nutritional value. Obviously, they're healthy either way, but there's an optimal way to cook them. You can also grill or steam food instead of frying it. You can’t know for sure how your food is cooked when you’re eating out, but you're in control in your own kitchen. 

Learn More About Food

When you cook at home, you can learn much more about food, nutrition, and cooking. You can take time to meal plan and read different recipes. Meal preparation can also give you insight into how foods are best prepared, as well as the nutritional benefits offered. As you learn more about food, you may find yourself making healthier choices much more naturally. That's because you’ll be better educated on which foods are healthier for you...and what ingredients are included in processed and pre-prepared foods. This knowledge allows you to make smarter food choices!