We all know cooking at home is better for us – it’s important we all spend more time in the kitchen for a myriad of reasons. Researchers have concluded that those who frequently cook meals at home eat more healthily and consume fewer calories than those who cook less. What’s more, it’s therapeutic, relaxing and sociable. A study published by the John Hopkins School of Public Health has claimed that people who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories. Here at IDEAL we’re all for cooking at home, in fact we’ve listed 10 IDEAL reasons everyone should spend more time in the kitchen here.
However, sometimes life gets in the way. The occasional takeaway should not be demonised. With the help of five-star kitchen splashbacks supplier, The Plastic People, we explore the times it might just be okay to get a takeaway – while of course bearing in mind cooking at home is nearly always better.
I’M HAVING A LAZY DAY AND THAT’S FINAL
We’ve all been there. Despite an often announced passion for cooking and declared aversion to takeaways, sometimes the mood to hit the high street, shop for ingredients and prepare a meal just isn’t there. This could be compounded by a deep, dark hangover or aching legs from extensive exercise. If the latter is true, and you’ve earned it then, sometimes, it’s ok to be lazy.
I FANCY A TREAT
We should all treat ourselves once in a while. The need to occasionally pamper ourselves is fundamental to happiness. Maybe we’ve had a long week and need a reward. A takeaway, from time to time, is the perfect indulgence.
THE KITCHEN IS BEING RENOVATED AND IT’S A DISASTER ZONE
The perfect excuse. Born out of necessity and a genuine obstacle to rustling something up, when the kitchen is a demolition site of dust, tools and debris, a takeaway is sometimes the only solution. This one comes guilt-free. Perfect.
I CAN’T COOK AND HAVE GUESTS COMING
Having guests around and can’t boil an egg? Don’t inflict your terrible food on other people, order in instead. Alternatively if you have cooked the previous night for a party of guests and can’t be bothered to do it all other again, it’s ok to get a takeaway. Digital takeaway specialists Just Eat found that over a quarter of people admit to passing off takeaway meals as their own food when inviting guests round for dinner. Also, according to the study, close to half of people aged under 35 years old will serve their families a takeaway meal for a get-together.
I DON’T HAVE TIME
Gotten home from work late, absolutely exhausted and feel like you don’t have time to cook anything? When you’re pushed for time and can’t prepare a full blown meal, getting a takeaway once in a while is ok. Most than half the people in Just Eat’s study on the popularity of takeaways who admitted to a takeaway habit offered a lack of time as the reason. This time deficiency was put down to being a single, working parent or of a family where both parents work. Having to work longer hours and trying to fit extra-curricular activities into an already busy day also featured as an explanation.
