Hi!
If you’ve worked with me for any amount of time, you’ve heard me say – be intentional about what you bring into your home. I feel this way about many things (cosmetics, skin care, hair care, cleaning products, the energy of other people), but we’ll keep it about food for today’s purposes.
I’ll start by asking you to reflect on:
approx. how many meals per week would you say you eat at home vs eating out?
According to the study I am sharing today, if you eat at home more than 5 meals per week, you’re having a positive impact on your body fat percentage.
It’s no news to you that eating home-cooked meals is usually a healthier option than eating out at restaurants. In your own kitchen, you manage exactly what goes on your plate, but when you’re dining out, that isn’t the case. Even if you opt for a salad with grilled chicken when eating out, you’re often in the dark about the extra refined oils, sugars, MSG, GMO’s and other sneaky pro-inflammatory ingredients that end up on your plate.
It never fails – anytime I have a client who travels and ends up eating out multiple days // meals in a row – the feedback when they get home is always: I feel more sluggish and bloated. This is the case even when being as intentional as possible.
The study I am sharing looked at the specific benefits of eating home-cooked meals in over 11,000 participants in the UK, aged 29-64, and found that those who reported eating home-cooked meals more than 5 times per week had healthier diets, consumed more fruit and vegetables, and were more likely to have a normal BMI compared to those who ate home-cooked meals fewer than 3 times per week.
In fact, the study found that those who ate home-cooked meals more frequently were 28% less likely to have an overweight BMI and 24% less likely to have excess body fat. That’s empowering information.
It’s important to note that these findings were associations and reflect a correlation rather than a causation, but it’s safe to say that eating at home is a great way to be more intentional about your nutrition. …not to mention, it’s easier on the ‘ol wallet.
I must say – if only 5+ times offers such a positive impact – think about what 10+ times would do for your health… Let me offer this to clarify –
5x per week could mean you’re only eating Breakfast from home Monday – Friday. That’s really not that big of an ask, right?
Now consider if you committed to Breakfast from home 6 days per week?
And Dinner from home 4 days per week?
Still pretty manageable, right?
It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on ways you can eat from home more often.
It will only serve you.
If you need some easy recipes – here is a list of a few of my favorite anti-inflammatory food bloggers to get you going and inspired >>
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Alix Barth (naturally 😉)
As always, I’m here for questions.
Set your intentions for the week – decide how you will care well for yourself (so you can better help those around you)!
And eat at home more often!!
Have a wonderful Sunday!
xoxo
Alix