Cooking at home has a wide range of benefits. However, only 6.4 meals per week are cooked at home worldwide in 2021. That’s less than half of a possible 14 meals per week (as only lunch and dinner were assessed). And this number varies widely from region to region, with 4.6 meals per week cooked at home in the Middle East to 7.8 in Europe with North America in the middle at 6.3 meals per week.
This is about the same number of meals cooked at home in 2018. However, during the pandemic, people were cooking more at home. This isn’t surprising given restaurants were shut down and people had more time on their hands to prepare meals. In addition, cooking practices changed during the pandemic, with some people eating more fresh foods, while others turned to comfort and more processed foods.
The number of people cooking at home also varies by generation. Younger adults have been reported to cook less frequently at home than their older counterparts. And this trend continues into the later stages in life with people over 65 years reporting cooking more than people 50-64 years.
Benefits of Home Cooking
There are numerous benefits to home cooking. First and foremost, meals prepared at home are generally healthier with less sugar and overall calories. Frequently eating meals prepared at home was associated with a diet more closely resembling the Mediterranean Diet with greater fruits and vegetables. These people were also less likely to be overweight. Conversely, people who consumed meals in restaurants can eat upwards of nearly 200 more calories in a day.
Cooking at home means you can individualize your meals to your own tastes. Having control of your meals may be especially important if you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements.
Cooking your own meals is also a lot cheaper. Even more now than before with recent inflation increases. In a head-to-head comparison, cost savings varied from half to more than 80% less for home-cooked meals compared to takeout or delivery. The cost savings can be even greater than eating in a restaurant due to higher mark-ups and overhead. Some suggest it can cost more than five times more to eat in a restaurant than at home.
Cooking is also a mindfulness activity as it requires attention to ingredients, amounts, smells and taste. Because of this, cooking is something that can improve cognitive function. Even cooking a single meal cooking resulted in improvements in cognitive measures in older adults. During the pandemic, people who cooked at home reported it being relaxing, and building their confidence and self-reliance. This is consistent with studies conducted prior to the pandemic. And a seven-week cooking program reported people improved mental and general health.
Tips for Cooking at Home
For some, cooking can be a daunting task. It’s a complicated skill that requires planning. For example, what to buy at the grocery store and the logistics of bringing a meal together. A 2011 survey reported 28% of Americans don’t know how to cook. And with the ease of food delivered to your home, it may make one question why bother. In 2021, the food delivery market was worth >$150 billion—nearly tripling from 2017.
Younger generations are also less likely to know how to cook than older generations, and when they do, it’s more basic foods. And since cooking is usually learned at home, growing up with home-cooked meals increases the chances of you cooking more at home.
Looking for inspiration? There are numerous cooking reality shows. From celebrity chefs to bake-offs. Similarly, local cooking classes are a fun and social way to learn new cooking techniques whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned pro. You can also cook with friends and family members to share the workload. Or plan potlucks. This way you get to be social and enjoy many different foods while only having to cook one dish yourself.
If you don’t like grocery shopping, do your shopping online. Many grocery stores offer online shopping for either pick-up or delivery. Home-delivered meal kits take this one step further. You order a specific meal and the food is delivered ready for you, and even comes with cooking instructions. Meal kits provide a fast and simple way to get you cooking more at home. And when you do cook, make enough for a couple of meals so you have them on hand for when things get busy.
Overall, cooking at home is a great way to develop new skills while improving both your nutritional and financial health.
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