A new study from University College London found that people who cook meals from scratch lose twice as much weight as those who rely on packaged snacks and ready meals. The minimally processed diet also reduced food cravings and body fat more effectively than ultraprocessed foods like protein bars or frozen lasagna.
Researchers followed 55 overweight adults who were split into two diet groups. One group ate home-cooked meals, while the other consumed nutritionally similar but ultraprocessed options. After four weeks, the home-cooked group lost 2.06% of their body weight — nearly double the 1.05% loss seen in the processed food group.
Experts say the difference lies in how ultraprocessed foods affect behavior. These products are designed to be easy to overeat, while whole foods promote natural appetite control. Nutritionists now recommend cooking from scratch not just for weight loss, but for better long-term health.
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