<ul><li>It’s an outlet to bond with loved ones. Trying a new recipe together can strengthen a couple’s connection.</li><li>It’s healthier. Using fresh ingredients means you know exactly what’s going onto your plates.</li><li>Easier to watch your diet. Making your own food allows for easy portion control and calorie counting.</li><li>It saves time. Cooking a meal is much faster than takeout.</li><li>It’s budget friendly! Preparing meals at home saves you money in the long run.</li><li>Personalization. Eat exactly how you want, on your terms.</li><li>It’s fun! You can explore and experiment with different techniques, ingredients, and cuisines.</li></ul>

Benefits of a Homecooked Meal

<figure><picture class="css-16pk1is"><source srcset="https://i0.wp.com/images-prod.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/topic_centers/Food-Nutrition/1296x728_7_Ways_Home_Cooking_Beats_Ordering_Takeout_0.jpg?w=1575 750w" media="(min-width: 1190px)"><source srcset="https://i0.wp.com/images-prod.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/topic_centers/Food-Nutrition/1296x728_7_Ways_Home_Cooking_Beats_Ordering_Takeout_0.jpg?w=1575 750w" media="(min-width: 990px)"><source srcset="https://i0.wp.com/images-prod.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/topic_centers/Food-Nutrition/1296x728_7_Ways_Home_Cooking_Beats_Ordering_Takeout_0.jpg?w=1845 879w" media="(min-width: 768px)"><img src="https://i0.wp.com/images-prod.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/topic_centers/Food-Nutrition/1296x728_7_Ways_Home_Cooking_Beats_Ordering_Takeout_0.jpg?w=1155&amp;h=1528" width="690" height="388"></picture><figcaption dir="auto">Share on Pinterest</figcaption></figure>With apps that allow you to order with just a few taps, it can be extremely tempting to forgo cooking dinner. But there are often trade-offs for convenience. Restaurant meals can contain lots of unhealthy ingredients. There’s also a lot beyond what’s in the meal that you miss out on when you’re eating from a take-out box.Here are seven reasons why you should consider cooking dinner for yourself tonight! <div><a name="1.-It-gives-you-a-chance-to-reconnect-">1. It gives you a chance to reconnect </a></div>Cooking together can offer you an opportunity to reconnect with your partner and loved ones. Cooking has other benefits as well. The American Psychological Association says that trying new things together—like learning a new recipe—can help keep a couple connected and engaged in their relationship.<div><a name="2.-Its-proven-to-be-healthier">2. It’s proven to be healthier</a></div>Some <hl-trusted-source source="PubMed Central" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25399031" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">studies</a></hl-trusted-source> suggest that people who cook more often, rather than get take-out, have an overall healthier diet. These studies also show that restaurant meals typically contain higher amounts of sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and overall calories than home-cooked meals.When you put fresh ingredients together yourself, or get them shipped straight to your door with a service like <a href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Plated</a>, you have total control over what is going in your food. That can make a world of difference to your overall health.<div><a name="3.-Its-easier-to-watch-your-calories">3. It’s easier to watch your calories</a></div>The average fast food order ranges between 1,100 to 1,200 calories total – that’s almost all of a woman’s recommended daily calorie intake (1,600 to 2,400 calories) and almost two thirds of a man’s daily intake (2,000 to 3,000 calories). And if you thought independent restaurants and smaller chains do any better, think again. Those eateries pump in even more calories, with an average of 1,327 calories per meal. Making a meal yourself means you can make sure the portion sizes and calorie counts are where you want them to be. Recipes often come with nutritional information and serving size suggestions, which makes that even easier.<div><a name="4.-Its-a-time-saver">4. It’s a time saver</a></div>Part of ordering take-out means waiting for the food to arrive or driving to get it. Depending on where you live, what time you order, and whether or not the delivery person is good with directions, this could actually take more time than if you’d simply made a meal at home!Cooking at home doesn’t have to take a lot of time if you don’t want it to. By using a service like <a href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Plated</a>, you eliminate the need to look for recipes or grocery shop. Everything you need comes right to your door, in the exact pre-portioned amounts you’ll be using.<div><a name="5.-It-can-be-a-money-saver,-too">5. It can be a money saver, too</a></div>In the long run, preparing meals at home may save you money. A group of basic ingredients often comes in at a lower price tag than a single restaurant dish. You can also end up getting more meals out of a recipe you make at home than if you order takeout, or have leftovers to take to work the next day. After just a few weeks, you could see noticeable savings start to pile up. <div><a name="6.-Its-personalized">6. It’s personalized</a></div>Cooking at home gives you the opportunity to eat the foods you love exactly how you enjoy eating them. For example, with <a href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Plated</a>, if you like your meat more well-done, or dishes less spicy, the recipe includes suggested modifications. <div><a name="7.-Its-fun!">7. It’s fun!</a></div>When you’re making a meal from scratch, you get to discover and experiment with different ingredients, seasonings, and cuisines. <a href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Plated</a> offers 11 options to choose from each week, many of which are globally inspired. Experiencing new foods on a Plated night can be a great way to engage with your loved ones or unwind after a long day at work. And as with any activity, the more time you spend in the kitchen, the better you become at creating fantastic meals!<div><a name="Try-Plated">Try Plated</a></div>Ready to put down your smartphone and get cooking? <a href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Plated</a> is a meal kit delivery service that provides all the positives listed above and more! Choose from a weekly menu of chef-designed recipes and get everything you need delivered right to your door. Pre-portioned ingredients are only of the highest quality, and include local, seasonal, and organic produce, plus sustainably sourced seafood and hormone-free meat.Recipes range from dishes that only take 30 minutes to prepare, to culinary experiences that are as challenging as they are rewarding. What they all have in common is that they make dinner a joy to eat and to prepare.Ready to try Plated? <a href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Sign up now</a> and get a free Plated Night.

When you cook dinner at home, you reap benefits both nutritional and personal.

food

Food

With apps that allow you to order with just a few taps, it can be extremely tempting to forgo cooking dinner. But there are often trade-offs for convenience.

Restaurant meals can contain lots of unhealthy ingredients. There’s also a lot beyond what’s in the meal that you miss out on when you’re eating from a take-out box.

Here are seven reasons why you should consider cooking dinner for yourself tonight!

Cooking together can offer you an opportunity to reconnect with your partner and loved ones. Cooking has other benefits as well. The American Psychological Association says that trying new things together—like learning a new recipe—can help keep a couple connected and engaged in their relationship.

Some <hl-trusted-source dir="ltr" rationale="Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health" source="PubMed Central"><a dir="ltr" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25399031" rel="noopener noreferrer">studies </a> </hl-trusted-source>

suggest that people who cook more often, rather than get take-out, have an overall healthier diet. These studies also show that restaurant meals typically contain higher amounts of sodium, saturated fat, total fat, and overall calories than home-cooked meals.

When you put fresh ingredients together yourself, or get them shipped straight to your door with a service like <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plated </a>, you have total control over what is going in your food. That can make a world of difference to your overall health.

The average fast food order ranges between 1,100 to 1,200 calories total – that’s almost all of a woman’s recommended daily calorie intake (1,600 to 2,400 calories) and almost two thirds of a man’s daily intake (2,000 to 3,000 calories). And if you thought independent restaurants and smaller chains do any better, think again. Those eateries pump in even more calories, with an average of 1,327 calories per meal.

Making a meal yourself means you can make sure the portion sizes and calorie counts are where you want them to be. Recipes often come with nutritional information and serving size suggestions, which makes that even easier.

Part of ordering take-out means waiting for the food to arrive or driving to get it. Depending on where you live, what time you order, and whether or not the delivery person is good with directions, this could actually take more time than if you’d simply made a meal at home!

Cooking at home doesn’t have to take a lot of time if you don’t want it to. By using a service like <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plated </a>, you eliminate the need to look for recipes or grocery shop. Everything you need comes right to your door, in the exact pre-portioned amounts you’ll be using.

In the long run, preparing meals at home may save you money. A group of basic ingredients often comes in at a lower price tag than a single restaurant dish. You can also end up getting more meals out of a recipe you make at home than if you order takeout, or have leftovers to take to work the next day. After just a few weeks, you could see noticeable savings start to pile up.

Cooking at home gives you the opportunity to eat the foods you love exactly how you enjoy eating them. For example, with <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plated </a>, if you like your meat more well-done, or dishes less spicy, the recipe includes suggested modifications.

When you’re making a meal from scratch, you get to discover and experiment with different ingredients, seasonings, and cuisines. <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plated </a>offers 11 options to choose from each week, many of which are globally inspired. Experiencing new foods on a Plated night can be a great way to engage with your loved ones or unwind after a long day at work.

And as with any activity, the more time you spend in the kitchen, the better you become at creating fantastic meals!

Ready to put down your smartphone and get cooking? <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plated </a>is a meal kit delivery service that provides all the positives listed above and more!

Choose from a weekly menu of chef-designed recipes and get everything you need delivered right to your door. Pre-portioned ingredients are only of the highest quality, and include local, seasonal, and organic produce, plus sustainably sourced seafood and hormone-free meat.

Recipes range from dishes that only take 30 minutes to prepare, to culinary experiences that are as challenging as they are rewarding. What they all have in common is that they make dinner a joy to eat and to prepare.

Ready to try Plated? <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.plated.com/lp/healthline?utm_medium=spost&amp;utm_source=healthline&amp;utm_campaign=post1&amp;cvosrc=spost.healthline.post1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sign up now </a>and get a free Plated Night.

Why Home Cooking Always Beats Takeout

Benefits of a Homecooked Meal

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