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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nObviously, the benefits of cooking apply whether you\u2019re\ncooking for one or cooking for six. The question is whether the ratio of effort,\ningredients, time, and cost outweigh the ease of popping open a package and\ngrazing. The truth is, you will have to weigh this for yourself and there are\nmany things to consider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with most things, the process of thinking through the answer\nto the question will be revealing and provide insight. That has value no matter\nwhat the conclusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the considerations?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fresh food prepared at home is the easiest way to eliminate\npreservatives, artificial coloring, and other additives. It\u2019s the easiest way\nto make food compatible with your specific dietary needs. It\u2019s the easiest way\nto control sodium intake and minimize ingesting potential carcinogens.\nPreparing your own food gives you more control over its healthiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The pandemic has overloaded already full schedules with\ntasks that were previously unnecessary. Some people may have temporarily\ndiscovered extra time to bake bread, but most people I know do more dishes,\ndouble-up housework and work, have more time-consuming errands, and have had to\nrevise their method for approaching every area of life. Time is an even more\nprecious commodity than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparing your own meals does take time that you might otherwise\nspend on something else. If cooking results in food that makes you feel more\nenergized and satisfied, less lethargic and bloated, and less distracted by gut\npain, it may well be worth it. There are also ways to maximize efficiency so\nthat the time spent on food prep is minimal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you purchase large amounts of fresh halibut, you\u2019ll spend\na fortune and call me crazy, but in general, purchasing individual ingredients\nis more cost effective than buying prepackaged convenience foods. This is\nespecially true when it comes to gluten-free packaged food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And you don\u2019t have to strictly buy one or the other. You can\nmake your own macaroni & cheese using store-bought gluten-free pasta. You\ncan keep frozen chicken nuggets, or ham, or pimento cheese on hand for days that\nplans unexpectedly change and you need something quick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taste<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t think you can beat the taste of a fresh tomato or\npeach. In fact, I\u2019d argue that perfectly ripened, they\u2019re best eaten unadorned.\nFresh spinach from the garden tastes like a whole different green. Recognizing\nthe inherent scrumptiousness of fresh food cam mean you feel less pressured to\ngo to great lengths to enhance something that\u2019s wonderful on its own. This will\nsave both time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waste<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the most frequent argument against cooking for one\nis that you\u2019ll waste too much food. That is a possibility. But there are many\nways to counter this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I frequently share dishes with my neighbors. Once I hit the\npoint at which I recognize I am tired of something, I throw the balance in a\njar and deliver it to the porch next door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently, I made a pie in a pan that a friend left at my\nhouse long ago. I needed to test a recipe and I needed to return the pan. I made\nthe pie, took out one piece, then called my friend to come get the rest of the\npie thereby accomplishing both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Occasionally, I freeze something to reheat later. If you\u2019re\nwilling to freeze cookies, then why not pesto chicken, chili or lasagna? And\nwhen I don\u2019t want to freeze, I repurpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Braised boneless pork ribs become carnitas tacos. Chicken\nbecomes chicken salad. Breakfast sausage and spinach land on mashed potatoes\nfor an upside-down version of sausage shepherd\u2019s pie. This list could go on\nforever. I repurpose often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than waste food, you can always share with strangers.\nThere are plenty of children in my neighborhood who can use extra food. While I\nhave not determined the best way to get it in their hands yet, I am constantly\nmaking assessments that will contribute to a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking at health, time, cost, taste, and waste are somewhat measurable. Cooking also offers intangibles that can\u2019t be objectively measured: warm feelings, pleasing aromas, aesthetically pleasing visuals, family memories, creativity, a feeling of accomplishment. It is the intangibles that pull me into the kitchen. It\u2019s the taste that keeps me there. And the health benefits are a major bonus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I cook for one. For me, it\u2019s worth it. Let me know if it\u2019s worth it for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n