02. Ditch Ready Meals, Cook from Scratch after 50
Do you often find yourself reaching for ready meals for convenience? While they may seem like a quick and easy solution, especially if you’re over 50, they could be doing more harm than good to your health.
One of the biggest problems with ready meals is that they can be high in calories, which can contribute to weight gain as you age. And as your metabolism slows down, shedding those extra pounds can become even more challenging. But that’s not all – many prepared meals are packed with salt, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and saturated fat, which can have a detrimental impact on your health.
Excess salt can increase your blood pressure, which puts you at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Eating just 5 grams more salt per day than the recommended amount can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease by 17%, according to a study.
Saturated fat, which is often found in ready meals, can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. Even ready meals that are marketed as “healthy” can contain harmful ingredients like artificial sweeteners. Studies have linked artificial sweeteners, such as sucrose, to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cancer.
That’s why cooking from scratch is the best way to ensure that you’re getting the nutrients your body needs without the added unhealthy extras. By cooking at home, you can control what goes into your meals and make healthier choices, like using fresh ingredients, and healthy oils, and reducing salt and sugar.
Don’t have much time for cooking? You’d be surprised how easy and quick it can be to whip up healthy and tasty meals at home. The internet is a great source of inspiration for healthy meal ideas that can be made in minutes. And by ditching the ready meals and cooking from scratch, you’ll not only improve your health, but you’ll also save money and feel more satisfied with your meals.
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