Life today in Britain is admittedly hectic. This busy pace has lead to one in three Britons eating takeaways every week! These meals are appallingly bad for a person’s health, and with so many online recipes available, it’s time we took control and started to cook our way back to health.
It’s safe to say that almost every day you will be faced with quick fixes and the temptation of a cheap and easy meal. With international chain operations offering ‘value meals’ and McSpecials and local kebab shops piling doner meat and chips into a Styrofoam case, it can be quite easy to get stuck in an unhealthy routine.
Many people justify their takeaways with the excuse that their busy lifestyles do not allow them the time to cook. Despite the fact that we all seem to be juggling an incredibly long list of things to do, we really have to put ourselves and our health first. This will let us enjoy a richer and longer life.
If you remain unconvinced to ditch takeaways and start cooking more healthy options such as vegetarian recipes or lean meat dishes, just take a look at the grim facts that are leading Britons to become bigger.
The average Chinese or Indian takeaway dish has upwards of 1400 calories. This is nearly 75 per cent of a woman’s daily recommended caloric intake, and over half of a man’s.
On top of having high caloric contents, these dishes are also often made with loads of unhealthy ingredients such as fats, sugars and salt. These three killers can cause high cholesterol levels in the body that can lead to numerous health problems - including everything from heart disease, diabetes, obesity and a whole host of other internal problems.
Next time you think that a takeaway is the best and most convenient option for you and your family members consider these facts and consider the damage you are doing to your body. Even if you do indulge once in a while, you’re still putting material in your body that is toxic to your wellbeing.
Upon seeing the damage that these dishes cause, it is a good idea to make some serious lifestyle changes. This should start by making your health and nutrition a greater priority.
When you prepare and cook your own meals, you are conscious of what goes into your food and maintain control of what goes into your body. Even if you don’t have much time to cook, there are many easy and healthy recipes available that can be made quickly.
Schwartz, the herb and spice maker, is aware of the consequences of maintaining a poor diet. As such, it has introduced two new services on its website to help turn the eating habits of Britons around.
First, the company has introduced a free online recipe listing in which you can find a range of dishes from all over the world. So, whether you’re looking for the perfect curry powder to top off a healthier take on this Asian favourite or are seeking to find new recipes for healthy salads, there is something there for all tastes.
Additionally, the company has created a tool called the Healthy Eating Planner. This allows you to write down what you will eat and what you have eaten already; when you keep track of what you put into your body each day, you will be keener to put in healthier items.
Another thing to consider is that some people resort to takeaways or even ready meals because they assume that anything that is good for your health must have a foul taste. However, as you begin to cook and experiment, you will find that healthy dishes are often rich in natural flavours which can lead to a rather delicious culinary experience.
Food is meant to be experimented with, and when you give yourself an extra few minutes to cook something up, you’ll find that you’re capable of creating dishes that taste much better than the ones you purchase at your local takeaway.
Not only will you impress yourself, your family will also be sure to welcome the changes when they experience healthier and tastier meals. This is a great way to help the family come together to prepare food – and if you’re all taking extra time to eat, this means extra time to sit down and enjoy both the food and each other’s company.
Yes, life is hectic, but you only live it once; it’s sometimes important to slow things down and to take care of yourself and the people you love. Once you take back control from the takeaway shops, you’ll realise that cooking at home does not have to be a laborious chore – it can, instead, be quite an enjoyable experience.
You’ll be feeling better, looking better, and you’ll have more energy to do all of the things you need to do in life. Perhaps with a healthier body and mind, you’ll even be keen to partake in more extracurricular activities when you have the time. It won’t take you long to find that matching a healthy diet with an active lifestyle is truly the best recipe of all.
Before making any grand lifestyle changes, it is important to consult with your doctor. They are there to help you as you get on a more health-conscious path, and will provide guidelines that will ensure your body benefits in the best ways possible.
There is no better time than now to start making positive changes, and as you begin to do so, you will feel the benefits immediately. Make your health and the health of the people you love your number one priority, and life will be yours to enjoy even more.
Take back control and start exploring your options for healthy recipes and get cooking! All that’s left to say, of course, is bon appétit!