Studies have found that developing a habit of cooking helps to improve the quality of life, which is mainly reflected in the optimization of eating habits, saving money and improving the level of physical health.
Cooking makes you happier
A study of 160 adults showed that people who often cook on their own tend to have a more positive attitude and much less annoyance. In addition, people who cook their own meals are more sophisticated about choosing healthy food than those who eat out. In fact, not only cooking itself, sharing food with others will also help to increase your happiness. The results of a recent eight-year study involving 39,000 Thais proves this point.
It ’s more economical to cook by yourself
According to a six-week trial in the U.S., low-income people were required to receive training to go to the store to select ingredients and cook for themselves. After a period of training, the researchers found that these groups have greatly improved their financial management capabilities. Never worry about no more money to buy food.
Cooking on your own can help you develop a healthier diet
Highly processed foods are rich in calories, salt, sugar and saturated fatty acids. A 2008 study in the United Kingdom showed that 51% of the total energy intake from highly processed foods. And if people with better cooking skills cook at least 5 days a week for cooking, the proportion of calories obtained from highly processed foods will be 3% -4% lower than the former, equivalent to 57-75 calories. This number may not sound as alarming, but the difference will become more apparent over time. For example, 100 grams of chocolate bars and two kilos of broccoli contain comparable calories.
Cooking by yourself reduces the risk of developing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes
According to a study in the United States, people who cook for themselves 5-7 times a week have a 15% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than other people. This difference is mainly due to the increase in body weight. For those who cook their own meals 11 to 14 times a week, men gained only 3.02 kg during the survey period and women gained 2.62 kg; while in other populations, men gained 3.36 kg and women gained 3.85 kg.
In addition, research shows that people who often cook on their own often value the nutrition of food, the diversity of ingredients, and the richness of taste. This has important effects on the prevention of metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney disease.
Who taught you to cook?
According to a survey of people in Australia and Iran, researchers have found that learning to cook in childhood or adolescence can greatly improve their self-confidence and cooking skills, and mothers are often the teachers of children’s cooking. Therefore, for mothers, letting children develop a habit of cooking from childhood will help improve the quality of life in their lives.