Back to Articles

Why Cooking Is the Best: Part Four

Cooks eat healthier food than non-cooks—and it tastes better, too.

Published February 18, 2026

Comment

Kate, with homemade pizza. Photo: Nick Traverse

From the kinds of food we put into our bodies to the amount we serve ourselves, eating home-cooked food at our own tables is hands-down healthier than eating from packages or at restaurants. 

Studies have shown that eating ultra-processed food—regardless of where you get it—increases the risk of obesity. And though there has been a teeny bit of improvement over the last 15 years or so, in this country we are still primarily fueled by junk. The average American over 1 year old consumes 55 percent of total calories from ultra-processed food. Kids aged 1 to 18 years get a whopping 62 percent; for adults over age 19, that number dipped a bit to 53 percent. Sandwiches (including burgers) are the primary source, followed by sweet bakery products, savory snacks, pizza, and sweetened beverages.

Log in, or become a member today.

Join in: enjoy 7 days free, plus 40% off your first year with access to 1,000+ highly vetted recipes from the How To Cook Everything series and beyond, essays from Mark, and original pieces from our contributors.

Join annually and save 40%
Log in to your account

GetBetterFasterHealthierSmarterTastier

in the Kitchen

Through our (more than a thousand, and growing) highly vetted recipes from the How to Cook Everything series, original food essays and reporting, thoughtful podcast conversations and introductions to new and responsible food products, we aim to showcase what’s possible, from farm to fork, and power a growing movement that encourages people to think about food not as a commodity, but as central to our health and happiness.

Start your free trial

We hope you join us on this journey. We’d love to have you as a part of the Bittman community. As a member, you'll have access to:

  • New recipes every week
  • 1000s of recipes from How to Cook Everything and beyond
  • First access to in-person events with Mark and Kate
  • Exclusive discounts from our favorite brands
  • Q&As with Mark and the team

 

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Join over 105,000 passionate individuals who receive our weekly emails. It’s 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime. Plus, we’ll email you a sampling of what premium members receive on a weekly basis.