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Connection -

A key benefit to home cooking is that it can be done by whole the family, together. Working towards the shared goal of a delicious meal can make relationships better.

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Connection -

Especially for couples, when you're in a relationship for a long time it is easy to forget to do new things with each other. Cooking a meal can be fun, light-hearted, and give you a bit of time where you must work together.

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Health -

A sinister characteristic of takeout food is that you do not really know what's inside it. There are no ingredients lists or indication of how many calories your meal contains.

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Health -

Studies have shown that people who cook at home rather than order in have a generally healthier diet. They are less likely to be obese or have diabetes.

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Health -

In restaurants, their aim is to make the food as tasty and addictive as possible, on a budget. This means that sugar and salt are heaped into everything, in a way you would never do in your own kitchen.

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Calories -

In the average fast food takeaway portion, there are a whopping 1,200 calories! Perhaps you are thinking that this is because it's fast food, but research suggests that restaurant meals are hardly any better.

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Calories -

When you cook at home, you can reduce your calorie intake not only by cooking healthier food, but also by recording how many calories you consume each day. 

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Calories -

Another reason for takeout food being so unhealthy is that the portions are usually quite large. At home, you are more likely to stop eating when you are full rather than finish the meal to get value for your money.

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Time -

Ordering in may seem like a time-saving endeavor, but it can actually take around the same time as cooking, with much less nutritional value.

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Time -

It usually takes around 30-40 minutes for the food to arrive from when you order it. If you have some frozen tomato sauce or a jar from the supermarket, and some dried pasta, you could make dinner for four in 15 minutes.

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Money -

One thing is absolutely certain: it's more expensive in the long run to order food than it is to buy the ingredients and cook.

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Money -

If you buy the staples of any kitchen such as spices, grains, dry pasta, and oil, then all you need to do is buy some fresh vegetables and meat weekly. And some dairy as well if you like.

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Money -

Or you can freeze meat, vegetables, and even milk, and just bring them out as you want to use them. If you want to truly save a lot of money, make a big batch of cheap dishes such as chili or curry. Freeze them in meal-sized portions and they could last you for weeks.

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Personal taste -

When you cook for yourself you can be creative, whereas with a restaurant menu you are constrained by the choices they give you.

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Personal taste -

Cooking your own meals gives you the opportunity to think about what you really want to eat, and what your body needs. From spinach to s'mores, only you can cook exactly what you need to be emotionally and physically healthy.

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Fun! -

It may seem like hard work, but if you have a positive mindset, cooking is a really fun activity. Making a meal does not just need to be a boring weekday dinner–it can be a weekend activity for everyone to get involved with.

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Fun! -

Making food is an especially good activity for children. It peels them away from the screens and gets them to engage in something more creative.

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Fun! -

For a weekend activity to entertain the children, try making a batch of sugar cookies and letting them decorate them. Cupcakes and loaves can also serve the same purpose. Delicious, and enjoyable!

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Skills -

It is always beneficial for people to improve their skill set in a certain field. Not only is it good for those eating the meal, but learning new things keeps your mind fresh.

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Distraction -

Whether you are good or bad at it, cooking is an activity that takes all of your attention away from the trials of the day. All you have to do is follow a recipe, and forget all the rest.

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Relax -

If you take a moment when your cooking to meditate on the smells, tastes, and sounds of the meal you're making, it can be incredibly relaxing. It's your time in the kitchen–no one else has to interfere with your creation.

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Relax -

Some people may not cook because they think they are no good or are afraid of what people may think of their meals, but don't worry! Other people will always appreciate being cooked for. It is a skill like any other, meaning it takes a little practice.

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Local economy -

When you cook at home, you can go to the local market or independent shop and get fresh goods that taste better and support the local economy.

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Children -

Do you remember the smell of cooking in your childhood home? You do not realize it, but when you make meals for your children, you are filling their minds with scents that will stay in their memory forever.

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Children -

Monkey see, monkey do. If your children see you cooking their meals, they are more likely to take an interest in food themselves. They may even cook for their family in the future because of your home-cooked meals.

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Children -

Having a family meal around the same table, putting away the phones, and sharing good food is so important for family structure. Having the habit of cooking and eating together consolidates relationships between people to create long-lasting bonds.

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Love -

One of the main reasons to cook at home is to show others that you love and care for them (including yourself).

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Love -

There is nothing that expresses affection as well as a meal that is cooked with love. The unique connection between the cook and the person being cooked for manifests itself in appreciation and respect. With all these benefits, why wouldn't you cook at home?

Sources: (Healthline)(Harvard Health Publishing)

See also: Simple kitchen hacks to simplify your daily cooking

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