HOME COOKING - NUTRIENTS VALUE FOR GOOD HEALTH

WHY EAT OUT WHEN YOU CAN EASILY COOK ‘NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS’ FOOD?

For a true meaningful and gratifying lifestyle, when given a choice to opt for either LIFESTYLE HABITS: Do I “Live to Eat” or “Eat to Live”? be mindful that often we fail to understand the after effects from excessive EATING. Overtime, the result of habitual excessive eating and consuming of unhealthy foods will develop into illnesses that will cause sufferings to the body system.

We all need food to survive but obviously, our existence on earth is not just ‘LIVE & EAT’ as cultivating a habitual eating character will contribute to obesity (that may cause you to grow sideways) especially if exercise is not part of your daily routines. This can also tarnish your image.

Ever realize that YOU are the results of your intake of ‘FOOD – QUANTITY & QUALITY’ that has not been put in control, when you’re misguided by your habitual eating behavior/mindset? If not, it is time that you adopt the correct lifestyle: “EAT TO LIVE”, as everyone will truly treasure his/her life dearly. If you maintain the right EATING Habits by choosing/cooking food that are nutritious & delicious and be mindful to limit your consumption rate so as not to indulge in excessive eating, you’re on the right course in achieving a longer and meaningful lifespan ahead.

However, with an environment where food is plentiful and food manufacturers are always trying to tempt us with their latest, tastiest offerings, most of us are literally bombarded with opportunities to eat. Hence, your food craving/temptations tend to overcome your willpower. It is thus desirable for you to develop a strong self-discipline to EMPOWER yourself to overcome your ‘food temptations WAR’

You will also need to understand the various food types that offer quality nutrients, and to focus on drawing on the ‘nutrient value’ that is beneficial to enhance your body. So, regardless of whether you’re cooking/eating at home or eating at a restaurant, it is essential for you to know more about what you're eating and to plan your diet well and in advance, to:
· Control excessive eating.
· Avoid foods that are harmful to your body system (e.g. foods with saturated fats, high cholesterol and fried/oily stuffs),
· Analyze and determine the food suitability for your diet and include vegetables and fruits with health enhancing nutrients to protect us from common illnesses like heart disorder, diabetes and cancer.
· Avoid the calorie-laden extras: by replacing French fries or chips (that comes with sandwiches) with vegetables or salad and requesting for sauces and salad dressing to be served separately.
· Choose Wisely: look for items that are baked, seared, steamed or broiled, and avoid items labeled as creamy, crispy and sauteed, all of which signal a high-fat preparation.
· Control portion sizes: order appetizers or main course that is half of the normal portions and split/share your entrees with a companion.
· Research the menu: for restaurants that you often patronize, figure out items with the best choices nutritionally. It will be helpful to check up ‘NutritionData.com’ for restaurants.

As restaurant meals tend to be higher in fat and calories compared to home cook food, cooking your own meals will help in enhancing food hygiene and you’re also in control of the food quality/value to suit your health and taste buds. This will be more cost effective and most importantly, helps in reducing your calories. Most of us may dread the idea of cooking, but if you maintain self-discipline and the willpower to achieve your GOAL for ‘HEALTHY & DELICIOUS FOOD’ just make good use of your COOKING UTENSILS and forget about eating out.

Your cooking problem can also be minimized as breakfast can be fruits & yogurt or oats and for lunch, you can make do with leftovers of grilled chicken or fish (from previous night’s dinner) fish or lean meat with some salad and vegetables + soup (if preferred, else drink warm water) and dashed it with tomato or lettuce & some vinegarette dressing. As for dinner, grill chicken, will be a complete/filling meal.

Cooking at Home can be an achievement that will not consume much of your spare time, especially when some of the preparation works (e.g. cleaning/cutting of meats and certain vegetables like tomato) can be done over the weekend. When it’s for a good course towards ‘GOOD HEALTH & DELICIOUS FOOD’, why bother to EAT OUT?