There's one little habit that has SO MANY positive effects on your life, and that one little habit is...
Preparing your own food at home.
Obesity related diseases are on the rise, and so is the number of folks who are just plain unhappy with how their bodies look and feel. Preparing your own food is a huge step on the road to a healthier body.
Here are 5 great reasons why you should be preparing your own food at home most of the time.
✅ Reason #1: It's Healthier
Hyper-processed foods are harmful to our health, and that’s exactly where many Americans are getting the bulk of their calories. Even with restaurant food that contains fresh produce, chances are high that the produce is not organic, or local or non-GMO. Most of us are eating less than half of the recommended amount of fiber, fresh fruit and vegetables, but eating at home could quickly change this for the better.
Simple meals made at home with fresh produce and organic meats or eggs are nutritionally superior to over-flavored, over-processed, high calorie fast/restaurant food. Not to mention the high calorie beverages and starters (and finishers) that so often accompany a restaurant meal. When you prepare your own food with intention, you'll take in more nutrient-dense calories and consume a healthier, higher in fiber diet.
✅ Reason #2: It’s Time Saving
Eating out so often has conditioned our concept of a meal to be one with complicated flavors and accompaniments. This misconception has made some of us fear the kitchen. But I urge you to reconsider.
Meals made at home need not mirror those ordered in restaurants. On the contrary, simple is better when it comes to home cooking. Plan your entire meal around a two types of fresh produce and a wholesome, lean protein. No need for complicated sauces or sides – these are usually where the harmful calories hide. Season with spice, simple toppings if needed, and enjoy the flavors of real food instead of chemical flavorings.
Fast, fresh and flavorful is the idea, and you'll save time with simple and healthy preparation, instead of driving, parking, waiting and sitting.
✅ Reason #3: It will Save you (a ton of) Money
Fresh, simple ingredients do not cost much. Especially when compared to the cost of prepared meals. Great advice on ingredient shopping is to, “Buy what you can afford, and cook it yourself. Rice, beans, veggies, greens, eggs–few things are cheaper than that.”
Shopping the perimeter of the store is always a good plan. Here you’ll find fresh produce, meats, dairy and seafood. Venture into the aisles for seasoning and spices to compliment the fresh ingredients.
You'll be shocked at how much money you save when you eat most of your meals at home. Your grocery bill will become larger, but compared to eating out, it's a huge (ongoing) savings.
✅ Reason #4: It’s Smart
In the US, annual health care expenses related to obesity are $150 billion, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Worldwide, this number is over $1 trillion annually. 😱 These numbers are staggering, and sobering when you think of all the individual lives that are being negatively impacted by obesity.
Rather than waiting for you and your family members to experience the health risks related to obesity, start your own mission to cook simple meals at home and redirect your future. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
✅ Reason #5: It’s Slimming
Eating at home is also one of the best ways to reduce your body fat. Meals eaten at home contain an average of 200 calories less than meals eaten out. That's the average, but most restaurant meals are off the charts calorie-wise. And as you know, a reduction in 200+ calories per meal will quickly translate to pounds dropped!
Start today, and don’t be afraid to start small.
Pick one meal that you’ll make at home either today or tomorrow, and write down your simple menu and grocery list.
No time or interest in preparing your own food? Check out my Done-For-You-Meals, made fresh and shipped to your door. Just heat and eat. I keep my refrigerator and freezer stocked with these so that I always have healthy food on hand.
A consistent exercise program is the other part of the equation in your quest for good health and a fit physique. My programs are specially designed to blast fat and to build muscle while keeping it simple, since a healthy LIFESTYLE is the answer to lifelong health and fitness.
Call or email me today to discuss your goals and needs.
Rose
916-204-7729
healthyhabitsstudio@gmail.com
