Is learning to cook worth it?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Next year, I’ll be living in an apartment, meaning either I’ll have to either go out and eat everyday, buy a meal plan, or learn to cook for myself. Considering the amount of time it takes to buy groceries and cook, is learning to cook worth it?</p>

2

<p>It is good to know how to cook, even if it is not your main preference.</p>

3

<p>DTW- Learning to cook is always a good idea, but I get where you’re coming from; it really is something only you can answer. Look back over the past week, and during that time, how many opportunities did you have where nothing else was going on so you could spend a few minutes cooking? Or a few minutes in the grocery store? I know a lot of young people figure they can live off ramen or mac-n-cheese so cooking will be quick and cheap, but sometimes you just want something more hearty than that, ya know?</p>

<p>Look at your life and see what works for you. Do you like a big lunch like my husband, but a smaller dinner? Then maybe you can eat lunch out and have a can of soup for dinner. There are so many possibilities, but because we don’t know you well enough, we can’t answer them for you!</p>

<p>But whether you do it now or do it later, it is always good to know how to cook!</p>

4

<p>Friend’s mother would cook 3 weeks of food, put it microwaveable containers.
He would eat out of his freezer until mom delivered more food.</p>

<p>Unless you have someone who will teach you and you have a desire to cook, it may not be economical in time and money.
Breakfast you can easily save money by eating at home with cereal, frozen waffles, breakfast smoothies, bagels the like.
Lunch pack a sandwich you make at home.
Dinner buy on the way home.
Lots of places around Cal to buy prepared foods, supplement with veggies and fruits.</p>

<p>Cooking is actually fun and creative.</p>

5

<p>it’s essential. i love cooking.</p>

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<p>@ zeppelinlover: I actually want a big lunch and dinner. I’m trying to eat atleast 3000 calories a day to get fatter - for some reason, I’ve always been underweight. I despise those cup noodles and frozen microwaveable foods though; they just aren’t healthy enough for my taste.</p>

<p>@ beerme: Yeah, my mom did the same thing when my sister went to Cal - no thanks. I like food that is fresh and not weeks old.</p>

7

<p>You might want to do some weight training in order to gain some muscle while eating the 3000 calories per day.</p>

<p>Fatty fish, avocados, and nuts can be nicely high calorie without being unhealthy (but choose types of fish that are not heavily contaminated with mercury).</p>

8

<p>DTW- I hear ya, there! I would rather starve than eat a cup of noodles. But I’m a real foodie who only eats things that I can pick, gather, fish. milk or hunt. Packaged foods are gross to me, but I know a lot of people don’t have as much time as I do to prepare foods from scratch, and it is just easier for them to eat quick foods.</p>

<p>Tell me about your perfect day -if money and time didn’t matter. What would you eat? Do you like meat, veggies and dairy? I’ll help you plan, if you want, but I need some idea of what it is you do and don’t like. Hey, I’m a mom! I’m always trying to feed someone!! :)</p>

9

<p>Definitely learn to cook. I have a meal plan and have also learned to cook which is a good combo. Also, cooking is relaxing if you’re stressed out and you end up eating healthier.</p>