5 Surprising Reasons to Eat at Home

Ever get caught up in the day-to-day rush? You know…Commute to work, appointments, after-school activities, extra hours at the office, and the drive home. If your schedule looks anything like this, chances are pretty good you grab a bite to eat more often than not.

But what if you eat at home more often? There’s the obvious benefit...you’ll save money on going out to eat. But there are 5 surprising reasons to eat at home more often. Eating at home can help:

1. Develop healthier eating habits

In a recent study, researchers found that people who eat at home more often eat healthier foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, nuts & seeds, legumes) and plenty of water. They also found that people who eat at home more often are less likely to be overweight or obese.

2. Improve your mood

What does food have to do with your mental health? A lot more than you might think. In one recent study, researchers found that cooking and baking at home helped improve mood, happiness, and overall well-being.

3. Increase mindfulness

It’s easy to get hyper-focused on the task at hand. Get to work. Meet a deadline. Pick up kids. Make your appointment. Beat rush-hour traffic. But how often do you step back and pay attention to what you’re doing. Cooking at home requires you to slow down and pay attention to ingredients and directions. 

The result? You get tasty food, and you lower feelings of depression and anxiety. Mindfulness can even help you sleep better, live longer, and improve your quality of life.

4. Improve relationships

Here’s another reason to cook at home. You get to spend more time with family and friends. Pick a meal or recipe, and work together to get dinner on the table. Sounds easy enough, right? You get a good meal out of it, but you also get to chat, visit, and catch-up with one another in an often fast-paced world. One recent study even found that cooking at home with a partner, may help lower the risk for obesity.

5. Expand your tastes

Want to learn how to appreciate food more? Try different recipes. Grow a garden with food you can use. Buy fresh produce at a farmer’s market to make your next meal. It’s a smart way to help you and your kids expand your tastes.

The Easy Way to Cook at Home

Hungry for healthy meals made from fresh ingredients you can cook at home? Check out the MagicKitchen.com menu and pick your favorites. You’ll have your next meal ready in minutes, with plenty of time to visit, chat, or even play a game around the dinner table.