Crafting, building, and being handy is my ultimate passion! There's nothing that beats a good repair or home customization. Yet, when it comes to cooking, well... let’s just say that the kitchen is the one room in the house that isn’t quite my workshop! However, since I discovered this God-send called 'Slow Cooker', my mealtime woes have become a thing of the past. And yes, you might ask, "Is cooking with a slow cooker healthy?" Well my friends, the answer is a resounding YES!

The Lowdown on Slow Cooking

Here's the thing about slow cookers, they simmer food at a lower temperature. Therefore, preserving those essential nutrients, vitamins and all the good stuff that food brings! Cook your veggies, your proteins and even grains, and you’ll find them still packed with flavor and nutritional benefits. So, lose any worry about your food turning into nutrient-deprived mush. With a slow cooker, that's just not happening!

The Magic of the Low-Temperature Cook

Let me share a secret with you, from one handyman to another. Heat is much like our favorite tool-saw. It could either help us build something magnificent, or if misused, tear things apart. As with cooking, high temperatures, especially cooking in a hurry (get me right, no job should be rushed), frequently results in nutrient loss. With a slow cooker, however, food is cooked over a long period at low temperatures. This ensures that the food retains most of those nutrients we’re aiming for. That way, you’re not only enjoying a delicious meal but a healthy one too!

Cooking for Health, One Pot at a Time

Cooking with a slow cooker doesn't just benefit from a nutritional perspective, it also promotes better eating habits. You know how they say, 'slow and steady wins the race'? This could also be said about eating habits and the slow cooker is your best comrade in that race.

Portion Control

One of the tricks up the slow cooker's sleeve is portion control. How many times has a big pot of spaghetti and the tag along 'seconds' derailed your healthy eating plan? Yet, with a slow cooker, you can measure out your portions correctly, helping you prevent overeating and maintaining a balanced diet.

Resist the Fast Food Temptation

After a day in the workshop, grabbing fast food can be a really tempting option. But why surrender when a slow cooker can be your ultimate secret weapon? A little pre-planning, and you can have a pot full of nutrients and warmth waiting for you. Slow cooking not just saves meal prep time, it also keeps you away from unhealthy fast-food alternatives.

DIY Ingredient Selection

Something I love about being a handyman is the control you have on the project. Similar to those home-made wooden shelves that have stood the test of time, when cooking with a slow cooker, you know exactly what goes into your pot. And having control over your ingredients is a massive step towards healthier eating.

Choose Lesser Fats and Salts

A great thing about slow cooking is that you can use leaner cuts of meat since slow cooking makes them juicy and tender. Similarly, slow cooking can bring such flavor to your food, you might find yourself adding less salt.

Cleaning Up the Workshop/Kitchen

What's the first rule in moving into your next project? Cleaning up after the old one! But here's good news for you, with a slow cooker, clean-up is a breeze. It’s just the one pot, the lid and your serving spoon that needs washing. Less clean-up time means more time to relax or even get started on another project.

Health Coasting With Slow Roasting

And that's the scoop, my DIY handyfolk! Cooking with a slow cooker indeed promotes a healthier way of living. It helps maintain nutrients, control your portions, avoid fast food, use healthier ingredients and even helps keep your kitchen/workshop, clean! So next time you go from tightening bolts to tightening your apron strings; remember, slow and steady always gets the job done right!