DINING IN OR DINING OUT?


You are what you eat,” they say. Food has a major role in maintaining our health. Whatever you consume, it will greatly affect your health. Our food choices will definitely determine whether or not we are getting adequate amount of nutrients needed by our body in order to function well. However, our health was not solely determined by the nutrients we obtain from food, but also it is essential to know where our foods come from: from the production, to purchase, then preparation up to consumption.  Thus, it is important to know where you obtain your food or the place where you usually eat.

Dining out has become more popular today due to increasing availability of restaurants, cafes, food parks or hubs. Reasons for dining out are due to convenience, accessibility, and value for money.  For the past years, eating out is more common when celebrating occasions or special events. However, recently, it has become part of a normal routine for most people. Most of them really love the convenience of eating out, especially those who have hectic schedules. It is hassle-free and less stressful because you are not the one who will prepare your own food. But is it really okay to do it on a regular basis?

Both dining out and dining in can bring the family closer together because eating is known to be a great way to bond with our family, friends or loved ones. It is during mealtimes that we share stories and good laughs. However, if you will take into account the health benefits, dining in, or home cooking is a better option. Here are some other reasons why we should choose home cooking over dining out:

  1. Healthier option. Eating home cooked meals are more frequently associated with better dietary quality according to a recent study on the benefits of home cooked meals. People who usually eat at home tend to consume less sodium, fat, and sugar compared to those who are dining out. When you prepare your own food, there is less chance of adding preservatives and using just wholesome fresh foods. When you do the cooking, you know how much salt has been added and what type of fat you’ve added to your meals. Moreover, most restaurants may be likely to miss out on fruits, vegetables, and other vitamin-rich foods because most of the meals are processed (which is more convenient for them to prepare) since these foods are produced in bulk.
  2. Lesser cost because you will not spend much money when you will be the one who will prepare your meal. You don’t need to pay extra money for the labor cost plus tip in a restaurant.
  3. Portion size control. You can eat appropriate portions because you can have more control on the portion size, and thus prevent overeating. Dining out can promote overeating because restaurants usually serve food in a large portion. In fact, consumers are easily attracted to restaurants who offer large portions of meals or unlimited rice, drinks, etc. Who wouldn’t like that? However, this may greatly increase the incidence of obesity among consumers.
  4. In order to maintain the nutrients within food to promote good health, as well as keep harmful bacteria away, food must be handled properly starting from purchase up to consumption. When you do home cooking, you will be the one to prepare your food, and purchase the ingredients from reliable sources. You can be assured that the food you prepare is safe to eat and thus, prevent the incidence of food poisoning.

It may be difficult to spend time preparing your meals but if you will take your health into consideration, it is definitely worth investing some time cooking your own meal. Maybe you will not be able to do it regularly, but at least try doing it for most days of the week.

To begin with your journey to home cooking, you may start with preparing simple yet healthy snacks using Gardenia High Fiber Whole Wheat Bread, made from 100% real premium wholemeal flour which is high in fiber, plus vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B1, Calcium, and Iron. Two slices provide 20% of your daily fiber needs. Moreover, it has zero trans fat, and zero cholesterol which is good for cardiovascular health. You can try this healthy Gardenia Brussels Sprouts and Sausage Pizza recipe, which is not only yummy and healthy, but also quite easy to prepare.

 

Gardenia Brussels Sprouts and Sausage Pizza

Ingredients:

1 slice Gardenia High Fiber Whole Wheat Bread, flatten

1⁄4 cup grated cheese

1 pc sausage, thinly sliced

1⁄4 tsp pepper

1⁄4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp olive oil

6 oz Brussels sprouts, sliced

1 tsp red pepper flakes + fresh cracked pepper + grated parmesan to serve

 

Directions:

 

Toss sliced Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread Brussels sprouts on bread. Top this with thinly sliced sausage and then sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded grated cheese on top of everything.

Bake at 180 degrees for 15min until crust is browned, Brussels sprouts are slightly charred, and cheese is bubbly. Top with red pepper flakes, fresh cracked pepper, and freshly grated parmesan before serving.

 

SOURCES:

https://www.eatright.org/homefoodsafety/safety-tips/food-poisoning/healthful-eating-and-food-safety

https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-017-0567-y