General

Richard R. Wilk in his book “Home Cooking in the Global Village: Caribbean Food from buccaneers to Ecotourists” said that “Home cooking is always concerned with quality, because people you care about will eat the meal”. Food that is prepared for commercial use is usually high in chemical additives, hormones, salts and cholesterol. There are many benefits of cooking at home. People who eat food at home are benefited from good health, savings and economy and improved family relationship.

First, homemade food has various health advantages. When food is prepared for the masses, it usually has a high probability of exposure to pathogens. Whereas cooking food at home can reduce the risk of food-borne diseases. When cooking at home, it is relatively easy to manage the expiry date of food ingredients as well as food that will be shortly spoiled. When a person cooks in his own kitchen, he or she can decide about the nutrients which are better for his or her health. Dishes made outside the home, however, are often high in fat, salt and additives. Moreover, restaurants may not always be able to control food allergies. Cooking at home allows you to know the ingredients that you are allergic to and can reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Cooking at home is not only good for your health, but it also helps you to avoid unnecessary costs.

Second, homemade foods are cost-effective. The price of any plate food in the restaurant includes both the food and running costs. In contrast, at home, the cost is much less and only for ingredients. Furthermore, at home it is possible to control the portion of foods, there is no pressure to eat everything on the plate. Keeping the leftover food and using it later will decrease the food expenses. Similarly, cooking ahead of time and keeping the food stock in the refrigerator is saving time and money. Saving time and money will have a positive impact on the family.

Finally, eating at home brings family members together. Parents will teach cooking to their children. For example, when family members start to explore cooking on their own, they will come up with new recipes and increase their creativity. Sharing experience may also allow families to have time for discussions and stay up to date with each other’s daily activities. In addition to sharing your experience, parents can teach cultural recipes to their children and reconnect them with their culture. In general, cooking with family members can be a fun way to deepen their connection and share their knowledge.

In conclusion, preparing food at home provides multiple advantages. When practising cooking at home, we enjoy the advantages of well-being, financial benefits and strengthening the relationship in your household. Always remember the saying that “if you don’t eat your food like drugs (thinking about your health), you will eat drugs like food one day.” Don’t you agree that not paying attention to the advantages of cooking healthy food at home now means “eating drugs like food” later?