We know, we know—slowing down to cook a meal can seem next to impossible between work, your social life,and everything in between. Grabbing a bagel or pastry in the morning is almost too easy—but here's why you should make the time to whip something up yourself, even if it's just a few times a week: "Preparing and eating meals at home gives you control over the quality of the foods you consume and the quantity of fat, sugar, and salt added," says Molly Morgan, R.D., author of the new cookbook Skinny-Size It. 

"In addition, when you cook, you burn calories: Approximately 30 minutes of cooking translates into 90 calories burned, and the cleanup burns another 50 calories, for a total of 140 calories burned (based on a 150-pound person)."