Why you should be spending more time in the kitchen

We all know how the little-pickers adage goes, but here’s why you should be spending more time in the kitchen rather than avoiding it.

For those of us wanting to shed a few unwanted pounds, avoiding the kitchen might be top of the list in the plan to resist temptation. After all, the fridge is our enemy, right? Wrong. New research suggests that those who spend at least 45 minutes a day preparing their meals are more likely to stay slim than those who dash in and out of the kitchen. In fact, this is a habit employed by 39 per cent of those with a healthy BMI, whereas almost half of those with an unhealthy BMI of over 25 spend significantly less time preparing food.

According to Victor Stoica (managing director of ElectrlQ), this is because those who cook meals from scratch are more mindful of what they put in their bodies, since they know every ingredient going into their food. Those spending longer in the kitchen are also not eating on impulse, or having ready meals or takeaways notoriously high in salt, sugar and other unwanted additives. Research has shown that these people are also almost 50 per cent more likely to exercise more often, and lead a more active lifestyle.

Of course, there’s no need to slave away at the stove for hours on end. If you’re struggling to get your five a day, try a spiraliser to add courgette or other veg to a pasta dish, or use a juicer to make a quick and tasty breakfast. Planning your meals in advance also helps to limit unhealthy impulse buys, and keeping your cupboards well-stocked with nutritious essentials means you’re always equipped.

Getting in the kitchen and whipping up your own food can be so much fun: a great way to bond with your family or housemates, and obviously an ideal talent for showing off at dinner parties. If you’re craving something warm and indulgent, check out our guilt-free vegan spelt lasagne recipe. It’s simple enough for the most inexperienced chef, but will keep you occupied long enough to forget those evening chocolate cravings! Or for a lighter dish, why not try these easy cod and watercress parcels – perfect for summer evenings. For the mornings, stave off those croissant pangs with this fruity basmati porridge recipe.