Although sometimes cooking dinner for the umpteenth night in a row can feel like a real chore, there’s no denying that cooking at home can boost your physical and mental health. Did you know that it might also improve your relationships and benefit your bank account? Sound too good to be true? Read on!

Improve your physical health

Using nutritious ingredients and healthy cooking methods can help support a healthy gut microbiome, lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and maintain a healthy weight, but at a time when health information (and misinformation) is everywhere, it’s always worth being grounded in the basics.

Health Canada recommends that people of all ages eat a varied diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially leafy greens, plus whole grains, and a variety of protein sources, including beans and legumes. Limit how much red meat and saturated fat you eat, as well as sugary drinks.

Cooking at home is the best way to stick to a healthy meal plan; after all, if you’re making it yourself, you’ll know exactly how many cups of spinach went into that smoothie, and how much salt is in the soup.

Bolster your brain

When it comes to giving your brain health a boost, aim to eat the rainbow: fruits and vegetables are a colourful, flavourful way to get the vitamins and nutrients that are vital for a healthy brain. Blue and purple foods, for example, are stacked with antioxidants, pink salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids, and dark green foods can help keep your gut healthy – which can be a boon for promoting a happy mind.

Build real-life social networks

And the benefits of home-cooked meals don’t just stop at the nutrients; if you’re sharing your food with family members, friends, or even colleagues or neighbours, you’re also going to be building stronger relationships, which can be a huge source of enjoyment and even comfort in hard times. In a 2017 study carried out by the University of Oxford, research showed people gain well-being and mental health benefits from ‘social eating’. In fact, the research states: “Those who eat socially more often feel happier and are more satisfied with life, are more trusting of others, are more engaged with their local communities, and have more friends they can depend on for support.” Now that’s a reason to invite some friends over for dinner!

Control your spending
The high cost of groceries isn’t news to anyone these days. If you’re looking to control how much you spend on food, cutting down on takeout and fast food and increasing the number of meals you make at home is an easy option. Luckily, winter-warmer recipes like soups, stews and braises are great options for people who are looking for inexpensive, delicious meals. Making your own meals means you can buy exactly what (and how much) you need, to reduce food waste, or offers the option to cook once, eat twice, so that you can freeze the extras for quick and easy lunches, helping you avoid costly cafeteria options.

Home-cooked meals don’t have to be fancy or feature expensive ingredients to be delicious and nutritious and to help you build community and improve your health. Get cooking today!

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