With the impact of Covid-19 affecting the world, eating in has become the new norm. Restaurant operations are limited, and more of us are finding ourselves faced with a kitchen that needs a little “TLC.”
Fortunately, eating in and cooking more at home has some excellent health benefits. It’s generally cost-saving, too. So if you need a bit of positive news this week, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at all the ways being “stuck at home” may actually be opportunities in disguise when it comes to nutrition.
Eating In = More Control
At a restaurant, you have almost no control over how most items are prepared. The nutrition quality of your food is basically in the hands of the chef.
At home, you control every ingredient that gets put in your meal and on your loved ones’ plates. YOU choose how much salt goes in, what fat you use to cook with, the quality of the food product, etc. You also get to taste test your food before serving it and make any changes where necessary.
Healthier Portion Sizes
As Americans, we’ve grown accustomed to and expect larger portion sizes from restaurants. We like to fill to-go boxes and go to places that serve us “our money’s worth.” However, most restaurants serve two to three times more than the healthy portion sizes recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
Many people don’t even know what a healthy portion size is. This makes it easy to overeat. At home, you can measure the portion size that gets put on your plate and store the rest of your food for future meals.
More Time
You might think that going out to eat is time-saving, but is this always the case? Think about the time it takes to drive to the restaurant, be seated, wait for your server, order your food, wait for your food to come out, eat it, wait for the check and then drive back home.
In reality, the average person doesn’t want to spend more than 20 minutes cooking a meal at home. When planning your at-home meals, try to choose recipes or foods that require the amount of time you have to spend in the kitchen. Nutrient-dense salads and crock pot meals are just a couple of ideas.
Final Thoughts
Eating out is fun because it gives us a break from routine and a chance to socialize. But if you’re stuck at home wondering how to make the best of a sticky situation, don’t forget all the benefits of eating in. It’s also a great time to reconnect with family and sit down to meals together without added distractions. For more information on the benefits of eating in, Click Here.
