How to Stop Ordering Takeout and Start Cooking

There was a time not too long ago when ordering takeout felt like the easiest decision of my day.

Long days at work, low energy with my iron levels all messed up, toddler tantrums and unpredictable days, a million things on my mind, weird carb cravings (probably with my blood sugar way off the charts)~ food became something I outsourced. Reaching out to the Just Eat or Deliveroo App was like second nature to me. However, embarassing that sounds, I even had a free delivery subscription. That didn’t change even in Goa on vacation. Swiggy, Zomato, you name it, and I’ve ordered from it. Even paying an extra delivery charge which was more than the food cost itself, as I would order to Agassaim from Panjim. Food for me wasn’t intentional any more. It was something quick. Something convenient. Very unregulated and completely disconnected.

And slowly, without even realising it, it became a habit. A default habit.

If you’re someone who relies on takeout regularly and wants to stop that. If you want to start cooking more at home, you’re not alone. And more importantly, it’s easy to change this. I’m here to help you.

Why I Wanted to Stop Ordering Takeout and Cook at Home

Over time, I started to notice the cost of it all. Not just financially, but physically and emotionally too. My cortisol levels were always high. All my hormones were dancing. My mental health was in shambles. I wouldn’t sleep properly at night. The indigestion was mental. It was affecting my mood, and I couldn’t be mindfully present for Elena (Lele).

I realised that relying on takeout wasn’t sustainable in the long run. It definitely wasn’t economical. 100% wasn’t nourishing. And certainly, it wasn’t aligned with the kind of life I was striving to live.

Cooking at home started to feel like something I needed to come back to. Not just for health reasons but for a better and slower way of living.

At the start of 2026, I made a simple intentional goal:

• Cook more at home
• Make more wholesome, comforting meals
• Add more protein and fibre
• Cut down on easy unnecessary free sugars
• Build a slower, healthier lifestyle which is sustainable

And slowly, through all these small, consistent changes, I started to see results even in my overall health. My HbA1c came down by 60 points and is now in the normal range. This is a huge achievement for someone with type 2 diabetes. I’m sure those who know this will understand what this means to me.

Cooking at Home is More Than Just Food

When you start cooking at home regularly, it becomes more than just a task.

It becomes:

• a way to save money
• a way to eat healthier
• a way to slow down
• a way to spend time with your partner or family
• a way to build a more intentional lifestyle

And the best part? You don’t need to love cooking to get started. You just need to make it easier for yourself.

10 Practical Ways to Cook More at Home (Even if you’re Busy)

These simple, realistic shifts can help you reduce takeout and build sustainable home cooking habits.

1. Plan Your Meals Before the Week Starts

One of the biggest reasons people rely on takeout is decision fatigue.

Planning your meals weekly helps you:

• avoid last minute stress
• shop efficiently
• stay consistent

Start with just 3-5 meals per week so the process doesn’t feel too overwhelming for beginners. And remember, you don’t need to plan everything.

2. Use What You Already Have at Home

Before buying more groceries, look at your pantry.

Use ingredients like:

• rice, pasta, lentils, pulses
• frozen vegetables and frozen meats
• basic spices, spice pastes, spice powders
• Vegetables in the fridge, and if you’ve grown any

This makes cooking easier, cheaper and less overwhelming. A win-win situation for everyone, isn’t it?

3. Prep Ingredients in Advance

Meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it as simple as possible.

Simple prep ideas:

• soak lentils or pulses
• chop vegetables and store properly
• boil or shred chicken
• roast vegetables for quick meals

This reduces cooking time significantly during the week.

4. Keep Your Meals Simple

Home cooking doesn’t need to be long and elaborate. Of course, you can do that sometimes, for special occasions or days off and weekends, but for everyday cooking, it’s best to cook your meals simply.

Simple meals like:

• dal and rice
• stir fries
• soups with bread
• protein bowls

They are nutritious, quick, healthier and sustainable long term.

You can check some recipes on the blog here.

5. Prepare ‘Base Ingredients’ for the Week

Instead of full meals, prepare versatile basics:

• cooked quinoa or couscous
• salad dressings
• roasted vegetables
• boiled eggs or egg muffins
• homemade granola
• homemade fruit purees

These can be mixed into multiple meals easily without faff. Look out for this space as I guide you on how this can be done. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter here so you get all this right into your inbox. No spam.

6. Create a Low-Effort Cooking System

There will be days when you don’t feel like cooking, and don’t worry, that’s completely normal. I love cooking, but not every single day.

Prepare for those days by having:

• ready proteins
• quick grains
• easy meal combinations

So you don’t default to takeout, but if you want to treat yourself occasionally, then go for it. Get that takeout occasionally. Some cheat days are good for our mental well-being.

7. Use Store-Bought Shortcuts

Cooking at home doesn’t mean doing everything from scratch.

You can:

• use store-bought sourdough bread (I get the wholewheat sourdough alternative with minimal ingredients and preservatives- I still want to replace this by making my own sourdough loaf at home)
• buy ready sauces (only with clean ingredients and low sugar/low salt- M&S has a great range for this)
• combine simple + convenient foods (soup with a cheese sandwich, roast chicken with a hearty salad {use a ready salad leaves mix}, rice + curry/dal + papad & pickle {our ultimate comfort meal})

This makes cooking more realistic and sustainable.

8. Keep a Well-Stocked Pantry

A good pantry makes home cooking effortless.

Stock essentials like:

• grains (rice, quinoa, couscous)
• pulses and lentils (chickpeas, masoor dal, tur dal, channa)
• oils and spices
• quick protein options

When your kitchen is ready, cooking becomes easier than ordering.

9. Make Cooking a Shared Activity

Cooking doesn’t have to be a solo task.

You can:

• cook with your partner
• involve your kids
• turn it into quality time

This makes the experience more enjoyable and meaningful.

If you live alone or prefer cooking alone, you can club these activities together with cooking:

• try catching up with friends and family on a phone call or video call
• watch some shows or a movie
• listen to a podcast, The Truly Soulfully Podcast is a good pick, I must admit
• listen to a playlist,I enjoy some good worship music and otherwise some heartfelt originals like Keane Cotta and Schubert Mecxy Cotta on YouTube.
• watch TV

10. Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection

You don’t need to cook every single day.

You don’t need to do everything perfectly.

But remember that, if you cook at home more often than before~ that’s progress. Well done!

Consistency is what creates long-term change and is sustainable in the long run.

Can Cooking at Home Really Save Money and Improve Health?

Yes! Of course it does. I am living proof of it. Did all the trial and error myself. This is in fact one of the biggest benefits.

Cooking at home:

• reduces unnecessary spending
• helps control ingredients
• supports healthier eating habits
• allows you to increase protein and fibre intake

Over time, these small changes can make a significant difference in your overall lifestyle.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Consistent

If you’ve been wanting to stop ordering takeout and start cooking at home more, please don’t overthink it.

Start small. Keep it simple. Stay consistent.

Even if you don’t love cooking, you can still build a system that works for you.

Let’s Make 2026 the Year We Cook More at Home

This year, let’s focus on:

• healthier habits
• intentional living
• saving money
• nourishing our bodies

One home-cooked meal at a time.

Let’s Continue this Conversation

If this helped you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Are you trying to cook more at home this year?

Let me know in the comments~ share this with someone who needs it.

Should we talk more about this on Substack or the podcast? Or maybe a YouTube video? Let me know.

Gentle reminder: I am here for you. Let’s cook together.