How many times a week do you eat out? While the statistics seem to vary, it’s no surprise that most Americans continue to eat out regularly. Especially in our post-pandemic world, restaurants are making it easier than ever to do so with features like in-app ordering, curbside pickup, and even free delivery. When it comes to weight loss, it’s all about your habits, and if weekly ordering is in your typical pattern, it may be time to change it up.
4 Reasons Eating at Home Can Help You Lose Weight
1. Lower Calories
Craving a burger? Oh yum! But if you’re choosing to order it away from home… did you know it’s likely made with a fattier cut of beef? While the juicy flavor is delish, remember it will be higher in calories, total fat, and saturated fat. Opting to make a burger at home with a leaner cut of beef like ground sirloin or using a technique like mushroom blending can easily chop the calories in half while still satisfying the need for a burger. This same principle can be applied to many of your favorite dishes to allow for creating more calorie-conscious choices in your kitchen.
2. Healthier Cooking Methods
While you may not be deep frying foods at home, it’s important to remember that your favorite restaurant might be doing so to achieve that perfect crunchy texture. The same goes for the amount of butter or oil used during the preparation, cooking, or even finishing process. Sometimes, your healthier option may not be as healthy as you’d think because of how it’s prepared. For example, at a popular fast food chain, the grilled chicken sandwich comes with a fully buttered whole wheat bun. Asking questions about how something is prepared can be a smart tool to avoid dishes prepared with unhealthy cooking methods.
Recipe Inspiration: Simple Curried Chickpea and Spinach Skillet
3. Fewer Ingredients
Most nutritionists would agree that when it comes to ingredients, the simpler, the better. That’s why looking at the menu can be advantageous to learn what’s exactly in your favorite meal. Unfortunately, restaurants often add extra ingredients to meals, such as sugar, oil, or salt, to enhance flavor. This is especially common in dishes with sauces, seasonings, or dressings. Learning how to recreate similar flavors at home can lead to a better-for-you meal that is more aligned with your weight loss goals.
Related Reading: How to Make a Simple Salad Dressing For Any Occasion
4. Easier Portion Control
Have you heard the advice to eat half and take half home when it comes to navigating restaurants’ supersized portions? This recommendation is true, but one that’s sometimes easier said than done. In fact, most agree that they tend to eat smaller portion sizes when at home. This could be due to many reasons, but experts hypothesize it’s due to more mindful eating – fewer distractions, more satisfaction, slower eating pace, in addition to things like eating off a smaller plate. These healthy behaviors tend to promote more satisfaction at mealtimes and less of an urge to overeat.
Related Reading: How to Build a Healthy Plate
The Bottom Line
No particular number of meals is the right amount when it comes to eating away from home. But, learning how to cook more at home may help promote weight loss through better portion control, healthier cooking methods, fewer ingredients, and lower calories. Take a look at your patterns to determine what’s right for you.
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