Most of us aspire to cook and eat more meals at home. It’s a goal we write on sticky notes, make New Year’s resolutions, and spend a lot of time worrying over. And yet, when life gets busy and we hit the drive-thru or open a delivery app, that creeping guilt shows up. But why?
Are home-cooked meals actually better for us? Or are we chasing an unrealistic standard?
The Research on Home Cooking
Studies consistently show that home-cooked meals are linked with healthier diets and better overall health outcomes. According to a 2020 report by the University of Michigan School of Public Health, people who frequently cook meals at home consume fewer calories, less sugar, and less fat than those who rely on takeout or restaurants (University of Michigan, 2020).
A study published in Public Health Nutrition found that people who cooked dinner at home more than five times per week consumed significantly more fruits and vegetables and were 28% less likely to be overweight compared to those who cooked less frequently (Mills et al., 2017).
Moreover, the benefits go beyond nutrition. A 2020 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggested that home cooking was associated with better mental well-being, likely due to a stronger sense of control and family bonding over shared meals (Mills et al., 2020).
The Downsides of Fast Food and Takeout
By contrast, fast food and takeout are often convenient but come with well-documented health risks. Regular consumption of fast food has been linked to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. A 2018 article in Health Promotion Perspectives found that fast food consumption was associated with poor diet quality and higher calorie intake (Azadbakht et al., 2018).
Another study published in Nutrients concluded that frequent fast food intake is related to greater waist circumference, higher BMI, and poorer metabolic outcomes (Rydell et al., 2018).
Additionally, a review by Medical News Today highlights the additives, sodium, and refined sugars prevalent in fast food that can contribute to chronic inflammation and long-term health problems (MNT, 2019).
So Is the Guilt Justified?
In a way, yes — studies back up the idea that home cooking leads to healthier diets and improved mental and physical well-being. Pretty obvious stuff, right? But guilt doesn’t help anyone. The issue isn’t that we eat takeout now and then — it’s that preparing meals at home has become so complicated, stressful, and time-consuming in modern life.
That’s why services like Wholesome Farms exist: to make home cooking easier, not harder. Wholesome Farms delivers premium-quality, ethically raised meats and organic vegetables straight to your door, sourced from farms like Murray’s Chicken, Creekstone Beef, and Cheshire Pork . With pre-portioned ingredients, freezer-friendly packaging and vegetables to round out complete meals; you can make simple, delicious meals in minutes.
Final Thought
Yes, home-cooked meals really are better for your health — physically and emotionally. But they don’t need to cause you stress or guilt. With the right tools and ingredients, making good food at home can feel effortless.
So next time you’re debating takeout, remember: you’ve got options. Let Wholesome Farms take the pressure off your plate.
Emma