Bummer thread about eating right...sigh...

[Brazoo]

My wife and I don't eat a lot of fast food, but we do eat out more than we should. We know that when we eat out the food is higher in calories, fat, sodium and starch than the food we would have made at home would be. We also know it's a lot more expensive.

We both enjoy cooking, but we live near so much great food, it's just sooo tempting to walk down the street and grab a chicken shawarma, or a burrito, or biryani...

Each week we start off saying "We'll be good this week" or "We're only allowed to buy food ONE DAY this week".

Anyway, it's Monday, and we told ourselves the same thing we do at the start of EVERY week (it seems.) Also, this article came out:

Is Junk Food Really Cheaper? - NYTimes.com

Is it something you guys struggle with too?

[Bill]

I cook Sunday through Thursday, Friday's we hit the bar early and grab some food on the way home, Saturdays can go either way. It's an easy habit to stick to once in place.
Just cook your own version of the crappy carry-out foods at home, much cheaper and better ingredients.

[palitoy]

We both truly prefer home cooked meals, our biggest challenge is eating something the kids will also enjoy. My wife can feed the whole family on about $8-10 most days and I honestly like the stuff she makes over restaurant fare.

We eat out one day a week normally, almost always takeaway from the local pub. It's a luxury.

[Mikey]

Fast food is like cigarettes ...

expensive and not good for you.

As far as taste, it's mostly salt and grease- which can be duplicated cheaper at home if need be

People don't realize how great good home cooking is until they dont have it anymore.

[Werewolf]

I have a ton of food alergies. Eating out isn't even an option.

[Cmonster]

Fast food tastes great, but you can't eat it a lot and be healthy. I'm guilty of eating fast food a few times a month, and I can't lie-- I like it, but I also work out regularly and drink a TON of water. I'm also super active-- Diving, surfing, skateboarding, etc... Staying hydrated is super important if you're going to intake all that grease and salt. Make sure you drink lots of water after you eat that stuff-- Gotta flush the system and keep your kidneys clean and in good working order.

SC

[Adam West]

We also eat out once a week (usually weekends) sometimes twice.

I struggle with the same weight issues as everyone else...(I wasn't blessed with a fast metabolism or skinny genes). I was really overweight about 4-5 years ago and made a decision to lose the weight and keep it off. There really is no big secret to it and I don't feel like I'm sacrificing. I make a conscious effort to eat really healthy during the week (sometimes I slip here and there but am generally good). I don't just intend on "being good"....I force myself but also find really healthy foods that I enjoy. On the weekends, I usually pick one day (Saturday or Sunday) and eat whatever I want. I don't count calories or anything (just consider it my day to go gangbusters) but then jump right back to healthy eating again for the rest of the week. It has worked for me for years now and amazingly; I really don't have cravings much for high calorie, high fat food. When I do; I turn it off and look forward to the one day on the weekend when I can have that indulgent or greasy item I wanted all week.

[toys2cool]

I eat way too much fast food, but i'm cutting down

[Brazoo]

Thanks for the responses guys - I appreciate it!

We both truly prefer home cooked meals, our biggest challenge is eating something the kids will also enjoy. My wife can feed the whole family on about $8-10 most days and I honestly like the stuff she makes over restaurant fare.

We eat out one day a week normally, almost always takeaway from the local pub. It's a luxury.

We both prefer it too - when it comes down to it. It's just that little devil on our shoulder tempting us to be lazy. Cooking and cleaning realistically takes 25 minutes - and ordering food takes 5 - but so what? We probably had to WORK more than 25 minutes to pay for eating out. Logically I can reason it out, and then in the heat of the moment I buckle.

I can't imagine what we'll do when (or if) we have a kid. We already seem lagging in energy. It's probably cyclical. Home cooked food = more energy for making food.

We need to work on this.

[Brazoo]

We also eat out once a week (usually weekends) sometimes twice.

I struggle with the same weight issues as everyone else...(I wasn't blessed with a fast metabolism or skinny genes). I was really overweight about 4-5 years ago and made a decision to lose the weight and keep it off. There really is no big secret to it and I don't feel like I'm sacrificing. I make a conscious effort to eat really healthy during the week (sometimes I slip here and there but am generally good). I don't just intend on "being good"....I force myself but also find really healthy foods that I enjoy. On the weekends, I usually pick one day (Saturday or Sunday) and eat whatever I want. I don't count calories or anything (just consider it my day to go gangbusters) but then jump right back to healthy eating again for the rest of the week. It has worked for me for years now and amazingly; I really don't have cravings much for high calorie, high fat food. When I do; I turn it off and look forward to the one day on the weekend when I can have that indulgent or greasy item I wanted all week.

That's awesome!

Once or twice a week out I'd be happy with. I've never been super fit or really heavy, but sitting at a desk for 10 hours a day and eating out is really starting to take it's toll. I weigh more than I ever have right now for sure!

[MIB41]

Whatever you do don't go to McDonalds and tell them to fix you a double cheeseburger dressed like a Big Mac...They do that now. Oh my... alot cheaper and...uhm...very addictive. Two of those does me just fine and I barely spend $2.50. I don't do them often though.

[Bill]

Cooking and cleaning realistically takes 25 minutes - and ordering food takes 5 - but so what?

Okay, this might be part of the problem. Slow down.
A quick meal takes me about an hour to prepare, my average is about an hour and a half. We shop on Sundays, I separate and marinade if needed, and roast my vegetables for a sauce to use and modify through the week. Maybe something that's been prepped and the sauce is ready I can turn around in twenty minutes or so, but that's a rare night unless it's in the form of leftovers.

If I'm not grilling dinner I'll throw a pair of chicken breasts in a pan in the oven for an hour or so, pork for two hours maybe, keeping the heat as low as 175 at times, no more than 275 ever, unless I'm broiling something.

Slow down, enjoy the process, experiment.

[Hector]

Many of you know I cook a lot...so most of my grub is homemade stuff.

But I also have my share of fast food...sometimes...no matter what...I get the biggest craving for a cheeseburger...and I'm fine with a cheap McDonald's McDouble...that takes care of my junk food addiction...lol.

I also love to eat at restaurants...but it gets pricey...plus I always tip 20%...so that's more expenses...lol.

I'm happy with my set up...I mix 'em up...homemade, fast food...and restaurants...I'm an eclectic habitual eater...

[Duncan]

I like to cook, but yeah, I struggle with avoiding fast food, especially at lunch. It's fast, cheap, addictive, and very convenient via drive-thru. On the positive side, there's an Italian place using the Chipotle model about to open near me - pick the pasta, pick the veggies, pick the protein, pick the sauce.

[Mikey]

Even though it's not much healthier than fast food I would much rather have diner food.