Homemade Peanut Butter and Other Foods Offering More Nutritional Benefits Compared to Store-Bought Variants
Cooking Your Own Meals for Better Health
Hey there, health enthusiast! You know the drill – foods prepared at home are usually better for your body. Here's why:
When you cook from scratch, you take control of what goes into your meals. This means zero hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, preservatives, artificial flavors, or excessive sodium – all common culprits in store-bought or processed fare that can wreak havoc on your health over time.
Homemade foods, on the contrary, are fresher, less processed, and can be customized to cater to your specific dietary needs. Plus, they help in preserving nutrients better and reduce your exposure to those pesky additives that contribute to inflammation, digestive issues, and long-term health problems.
So, let's dive into some examples of foods better made from scratch:
- Peanut butter: Making your own is a breeze. Just blend roasted peanuts until creamy, no added sugar, salt, or hydrogenated oils. Say goodbye to those store-bought versions packed with unhealthy fats and added sweeteners. Homemade peanut butter gives you a high-protein, heart-healthy spread rich in fibre and good fats – all sans any additives.
- Salad dressings: Toss those bottled dressings loaded with refined oils, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives. Instead, opt for homemade ones using olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs for antioxidant benefits and heart-healthy fats without unnecessary chemicals.
- Soups: Canned soups might seem alluring for their convenience, but they often contain high levels of sodium and preservatives. Homemade soups, using fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and natural seasonings, provide more nutrients and less salt.
- Granola: Store-bought granola can be deceivingly high in sugar and oil. Make your own with oats, nuts, seeds, and a touch of honey or maple syrup for a fibre and healthy fats-rich treat without the sugar crash or artificial ingredients.
- Nut milks: Homemade nut milks are free from stabilizers, gums, and preservatives. Simply blend nuts or oats with water and strain to get a cleaner, fresher drink with fewer calories and more natural nutrients.
- Hummus: Store-bought hummus may contain unnecessary oils or preservatives. Make your own using chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for a plant-based protein, fibre, and heart-healthy fats snack with a fresher taste and no chemical additives.
- Pasta sauce: Jarred pasta sauces often hide added sugars and excess salt. Opt for homemade ones with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and olive oil for more antioxidants and better flavor control.
- Bread: Commercial breads are often laced with added sugars, conditioners, and preservatives. Make your own whole grain or sourdough bread to reap its benefits: fewer ingredients, more fibre, and no chemicals. This helps support digestive health and balanced blood sugar.
- Energy bars: Many store-bought energy bars are nothing more than candy bars disguised in fitness clothing. Make your own with oats, dried fruits, seeds, and nut butters to create a natural, nutrient-packed snack free of processed sugars and artificial ingredients.
- Pickles: Store-bought pickles often contain artificial colors and preservatives. Opt for homemade ones made with vinegar, salt, and spices for probiotics and a cleaner, crunchier pickle with superior gut health benefits.
Remember, making these foods at home not only supports better health but also saves you money in the long run! Just keep in mind that ensuring nutritional balance while cooking from scratch may require a bit more planning and knowledge, especially for specific populations like infants. But with a little effort, these homemade meals are sure to nourish your body!
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. We at our website do not claim responsibility for this information.
References:1. [Bowden, S. (2013). The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbelievable Truth About What You Should Eat and Why. Little, Brown Spark.]2. Hu, F. B., & Willet, W. C. (2004). Dietary fiber and weight regulation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 80(5), 1145S-1150S.3. Popkin, B. M. (2010). Health implications of dietary choices. The Lancet, 375(9727), 1453-1464.4. Shimizu, N., Izumi, J., & Watanabe, Y. (2018). Dietary Fibre and Probiotics: Beneficial Effects and Clinical Applications in the Prevention and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Nutrients, 10(9), 1384.5. Food and Nutrition Information Centre (2012). Nutrition Recommendations for Infants and Young Children. Retrieved from https://fnic.nal.usda.gov/fja/nutri-recommend-infants-young-children.
- To prepare a healthier and customisable peanut butter, blend roasted peanuts to achieve a creamy texture, ensuring zero added sugar, salt, or hydrogenated oils – accelerating your progress towards a healthy diet.
- Incorporate science into your health-and-wellness journey by preparing your own antioxidant-rich salad dressings using olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs, reducing reliance on store-bought dressings loaded with refined oils, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives.
- When opting for a fiber-rich, nutrient-dense soup, eschew processed, high-sodium canned options in favor of homemade ones using fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and natural seasonings, supporting a fitness-and-exercise routine and initiative in maintaining a balanced nutrition.
- To create a grain- and fiber-packed cereal alternative, make your own granola with oats, nuts, seeds, and minimal sweetener, empowering a healthy-diets lifestyle and steering clear from store-bought counterparts entangled with excessive sugar and artificial ingredients.
- Reducing calorie intake and embracing a healthy-diets lifestyle can be as simple as brewing homemade nut milks using nuts or oats, distancing yourself from commercial versions packed with stabilizers, gums, and preservatives.
