Cook Your Way to Better Wellbeing: The Power of Homemade Meals

Written and provided by CBIZ

Cooking isn’t just about feeding yourself — it’s a powerful tool that enhances your social, physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. While it may seem like a chore at times, research shows that preparing meals at home offers significant benefits that go beyond nutrition. Whether it’s building deeper connections with loved ones or saving money, cooking at home is a rewarding practice. Let’s explore how it can improve your life and how to make it easier.

More Than Just a Meal

One of the key benefits of cooking at home is its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re preparing a meal for your family or cooking with friends, the kitchen becomes a place for connection. A 2010 study found that families who cook together have stronger bonds because these experiences lead to quality time and deeper conversations. The simple act of preparing and sharing food can be an expression of love, friendship and togetherness.

Control What You Eat

Cooking at home gives you full control over what you eat. Research found that people who cook more often eat more fruits, vegetables and whole foods while avoiding processed ingredients that are common in restaurant and pre-packaged meals. Home cooking also encourages healthier preparation methods, such as grilling or steaming, rather than frying or over-salting. In addition, portion control is much easier than when at a restaurant where

meals are often oversized and can lead to overeating. When you cook for yourself, you can adjust portions to fit your dietary needs.

A Mind & Mood Boost

Cooking can benefit your mental health by providing a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. Studies show that cooking, like other creative activities, can reduce stress and

improve mood. Additionally, they suggest that cooking can provide a therapeutic escape from daily pressures, offering a sense of control and calm.

Additionally, preparing a meal boosts self-esteem. The sense of pride that comes from creating something nourishing can enhance your emotional wellbeing. Being of service to others is also proven to elevate our emotional state — cooking for others is a great way to do this.

Save Money, Eat Well

Cooking at home is not only healthier but also more affordable than eating out. The cost of dining out for a family of four can range from $50 to $100, depending on where you live, while a similar meal prepared at home might only cost $20 to $40. These savings can add up

quickly. You can plan meals around sales, use ingredients you already have and buy in bulk to reduce costs. Additionally, cooking at home reduces food waste since you can use leftovers or repurpose ingredients in creative ways.

5 Strategies to Make Home-Cooking Easier

If you’re worried about time or effort, here are five simple strategies to make cooking at home more manageable:

1. Meal plan ahead. Spend a few minutes each week planning meals to save time at the grocery store and avoid last-minute stress about what to cook. There are fantastic tools you can use, such as recipe-generating or food-savings apps. See our ‘App in a Snap’ for one such tool — Recipe Keeper.

   
   

2. Batch cook and freeze. Cook larger portions and freeze leftovers for future meals. This way, you always have a homemade meal ready to go, even on busy days. Set a daily reminder for yourself to pull out what you’ll need for the following day to ensure proper defrosting.
   

3. Use simple recipes. Opt for quick recipes that require minimal ingredients and preparation. Many healthy meals can be made in under 30 minutes, using fresh, whole

   food ingredients.
   

4. Invest in time-saving tools and products. Appliances like slow cookers, pressure cookers and air fryers can speed up cooking time and make meal prep easier. Buying pre-prepped ingredients can also save time — just be sure to check the label for unnecessary sugar or salt additives.
   

5. Prep ingredients in advance. Wash, chop and organize your ingredients ahead of time. Having prepped vegetables and proteins ready makes cooking faster

   and less stressful.
   

6. Approach it with ease. Cooking can sometimes feel stressful, whether you’re rushing to get dinner on the table or striving for perfection with a new recipe. See if you can approach cooking with a sense of ease. Fully immerse yourself in each step, staying present as you chop, stir and move around the kitchen. Taking this approach will help you reap the positive emotional benefits of home cooking.