While preparing a meal sometimes feels like a real chore after a busy day at work or on the go, there are important financial, social, and health benefits to cooking at home. Especially with out-of-home food costs rising at historic rates, it’s a smart time to fire up the grill or heat up the stove more often.
Research - and common sense - suggest that saving money, choosing your foods and ingredients, and having meaningful time with family offer myriad benefits. It’s difficult for on-the-go individuals and families to break the fast food habit, but it’s definitely worth it.
Restaurant and fast food meals typically have more calories, even when you’re comparing similar dishes. Beyond just higher calorie counts, these foods also have more sugar, fat, and sodium, all of which contribute to weight gain, water retention, cholesterol, and other health issues. Eating at home gives you more control over the ingredients and preparation of your meals, making it easier to make nutritious choices.
While both in-home food (think foods you buy at the grocery store) and out-of-home food (restaurants, fast food, coffee shops, etc.) are getting more expensive, out-of-home food prices are rising much faster. Eating at your favorite restaurants is 3-4% more expensive year-over-year as of November 2025, while grocery prices are up around 3%.
And you’re not getting your money’s worth. While a night out is fun on occasion, it’s worth remembering most establishments markup food ingredients by 300-400%; your $20 sandwich and chips probably cost about $6.
Taking the time to prepare food yourself may actually have mental health benefits. Researchers found that many individuals found cooking a fun, therapeutic activity during the pandemic. There’s something to be said for slowing down, being creative, and looking away from a screen for a short spell each day.
Fast food packaging and storage containers are known for having elevated PFAS levels. Historically, these “forever chemicals” were added to prevent grease stains and moisture from ruining food, but even as PFAS were proven to be dangerous, some manufacturers have simply changed formulations to avoid regulations to keep using them.
Eating at home increases the odds you’ll dine with family or friends. Today, with so many of us eating on the go or stealing a few bites while working through lunch, sharing a meal means more than ever. When families, friends, and even co-workers eat together, it creates lasting bonds and improves mental health.
If you need to create a new, healthier habit by eating at home, here are a few plans to make it stick.
Related: Easy School Lunches
For over fifty years, Max’s Service has helped Northern Michigan families fall in love the process and experience of cooking. With a wide selection of leading brands and top-notch customer service, your next creation starts at Max’s. Stop in to see us in Downtown Traverse City or get in touch today!
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