Do you like to eat out? I know I do- no shopping, no cooking, no cleaning up, and I can order something delicious that I don’t have the time or patience to make myself. And everyone knows that fast-food meals are extremely convenient when your day is particularly hectic. There are definitely advantages to eating out- no argument about that- but there are even greater benefits to cooking your meals at home.

1. Budget. Eating out is expensive. You can prepare a meal at home for a fraction of what you’ll pay in a restaurant.
2. Ingredients. When you shop and cook on your own you know exactly what you’re eating. There are no hidden surprises like extra sodium, saturated fats, or processed products you want to avoid. As the cook, you’re in charge of the ingredients and the quality of the foods you eat.
3. Diet. If you’re watching what you eat, you’ll do a lot better cooking your own meals. You’ll have better control over your food choices and portion sizes, and be less likely to overeat.
4. Use your creativity. Cooking is a form of creative expression and you might find you really enjoy trying new ingredients and techniques. It’s also a great opportunity to master something new.
5. Family. There’s nothing like a meal at home to bring the family together, and that means involving family members in preparing the meal. Kids love to help with cooking and it’s a fun way to teach them new skills and healthy habits.
6. Activity. Any activity you can incorporate into your normal routine counts. When you’re shopping, cooking, and washing dishes you’re more active than when you’re sitting in a restaurant.

This is not to say you should never eat out again- of course you should! Dining out is a wonderful way to celebrate a special occasion, and we all need a night off from cooking now and then. But if you find that you’re eating out more often than in, consider these benefits of cooking at home!