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Why cooking is important

By Kathryn Elliott

 

I love cooking. For me, it's a way of unwinding after work, as well as nourishing myself and those around me. However I'm regularly struck by how tentative many people are when it comes to cooking. While cooking programmes are on TV every day and recipe books are regularly in the top ten, this isn't necessarily translating into people cooking more.

But cooking is important. We all have to eat and cooking your own food gives you control over this basic need. If you cook your own food you have control over the quality of ingredients used, the portions on your plate, the herbs and spices that are used. You can add more vegetables, use extra virgin olive oil, choose leaner cuts of meat.

 

Cost-wise the food cooked at home can also win out, especially if you buy less processed ingredients and choose in-season fruit and veg.

 

Plus home cooked meals have the potential to be more healthy than anything you buy from a restaurant, or the frozen food section of the supermarket. It’s generally lower in fat and sodium, kilojoules, and we tend to dish up smaller portions at home.

 

Mid week meals don’t have to be lavish and can be quick and easy to prepare. So take the plunge and get cooking.

 

Source: 

Readers Digest Newzealand

06 September 2011

 

 

See more at: http://www.readersdigest.co.nz/cooking-important#sthash.APTbcZ3y.dpuf