Benefits of Eating Meals from Scratch

by Kevin Smith Author

Our fast-paced society constantly tempts us to replace food "made with love" with food "made to go." Everyone knows fast food is unhealthy for your body. However, the reasons to eat meals from scratch don't stop there. Meals cooked just for you are also tastier and more environmentally friendly than fast food and prepackaged meals.

Better Health

Fast food and packaged food contain high amounts of preservatives, sodium, added sugar, and trans fat. Each of these substances can negatively impact your health, and the presence of all of them at once puts you at a greater risk for several diseases. Scratch meals give you more control over how much of these substances you eat.

Packaged foods use preservatives and other additives to enhance their color and taste and increase their shelf life. Your body doesn't need these chemicals and some can be harmful. Studies show certain preservatives can contribute to cancer, hyperactivity, and other problems.

Most Americans get the majority of their sodium from processed foods, whether it's used for preservation or flavor enhancement. Sodium is necessary for functioning nerves and muscles, but too much causes problems. High sodium can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks, and osteoporosis.

Like sodium, sugars are necessary for the human body, but most Americans eat way too much of them. Added sugars can contribute to cavities, type 2 diabetes, and a strained immune system. Excessive sugar consumption is linked to high levels of triglycerides, a kind of bad fat that can lead to heart disease. Higher blood sugar also helps cancer cells and yeast infections grow faster.

Trans fats are formed when hydrogen atoms are added to liquid oils, turning them into solid fats. Most of these fats come from processed foods because they increase shelf life. Trans fats increase bad cholesterol, which clogs arteries and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Trans fats may also increase the risk of diabetes.

Processed and fast food may initially seem cheaper and more convenient than food made from scratch. However, it may lead to diseases and expensive medical bills in the long run.

Better Environment

If you cook your own meals from scratch, you can make sure your ingredients are sustainable and organic. Even if you go to a restaurant that makes meals from scratch, they are more likely to use fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This is good for the environment because it reduces the amount of gas used for long-distance food transportation. Food from scratch also reduces waste from food packaging, much of which is not biodegradable and may harm wildlife.

Better Taste

Meals from scratch use fresher, quality ingredients. This makes them taste much better than packaged foods that sometimes cut corners with the quality of their ingredients.

Food from scratch doesn't have to be simple or boring. Scratch meals can include a wide array of ingredients. While prepackaged foods tend to be seasoned in safe ways that the majority of customers will like, you can customize your seasoning to fit the personal taste you love.

You don't have to make all your own bread or give up your favorite brand of sauce in order to cook from scratch. You can start by using a mix of pure and premade ingredients. For example, make lasagna with premade pasta but mix your own sauce.

If you want the power to choose every ingredient for yourself and develop an important skill, cook your own meals from scratch. If you want the benefits of eating fresher and healthier food but don't have the time or supplies to cook, try restaurants that serve scratch meals in Avalon, GA.