How to Stop Eating Out in Five Simple Steps
It seems almost second nature in our busy lives to grab a quick bite to eat while we're away from the house. It can be harmless enough; fast food places usually cost less than $10 per person, and if it's a once-in-a-while treat, it's probably no big deal.
When it turns into a habit, however, it can become a big problem. Even if that $30 quick lunch for your family is only once per week, in one year, that adds up to more than $1500! Crazy, right?
If saving money isn't enough to convince you that your meals need to come from home more often, this study suggests that people who cook their meals at home more often tend to have better overall health. When you prepare your own meals, two things happen:
1) you have the opportunity to taste test along the way, which prevents the addition of too much sugar or salt. Not to mention, you can make it taste exactly the way you like (no more making special requests on your orders!).
2) you become much more aware of the ingredients in your meals. You start to more readily associate a food with how it makes you feel since you've been able to process its preparation in addition to its consumption. So eventually, if you make an effort to be mindful of these things, you will probably start to favor the foods that make you feel better - the healthier ones!
So what can you do to curb the habit of quick and easy-to-get food when you're on the run?
Try out the five steps I've laid out below to help save your money and your health.
1. MAKE THE COMMITMENT
Before you do anything else, you have to decide that you want to change. You must make the commitment to not eat at restaurants any more. Write it down, tell your partner or best friend, do whatever it takes to keep you accountable.
2. BUY READY-MADE
Your grocery store is full of tons of options of ready-made meals. Check the deli, freezer, and refrigerated sections. You're bound to find something that looks appealing. Even though these options aren't always the most cost-effective ways to eat, they are always - ALWAYS - cheaper than eating at a restaurant. These kinds of foods will help make the transition to eating at home more often a little bit easier since there will be little to no prep work.
3. FIND ALTERNATIVES
Is your favorite treat going to the ice cream shop and getting a cone? Do you really love grabbing a burger and fries for lunch? There are plenty of these same things available at the grocery store. Sure, they'll taste a bit different, but they may be even better. If not, you always have the option of adding seasonings and changing it up to suit your taste!
4. MEAL PREP
One thing I struggle with the most is remembering to pack our lunches when we leave the house. When I do, though, I am so grateful! We tend to realize we're hungry at the last minute in my family, so having a few sandwiches and sides on hand in a small cooler is the perfect solution. Once we realize we're hungry, the food is right there with us and ready to eat. Meal prepping dinners is a great time saver, too. You can put all of your ingredients for a Crock Pot or casserole together in a plastic baggie a few days ahead of time - then all you have to do is empty it into the pot or pan, and cook! Even breakfast can be prepped; overnight oats cut down on morning prep time, and frozen breakfast burritos can be microwaved and eaten on your way out the door.
5. GRACE
If all else fails, give yourself some grace. Set a schedule for yourself - reducing the number of times you eat out in any given week, month, or even year, will still help you immensely. Find coupons for your favorite restaurants, or go when they're having a good special. Order water with your meal instead of tea or a fountain drink. At fast food places, order only entrees, bring them home, and make your own sides. There's no need to make yourself feel completely deprived; there are tons of ways to save when you do feel like treating yourself!
xoxo Christi Lee
When it turns into a habit, however, it can become a big problem. Even if that $30 quick lunch for your family is only once per week, in one year, that adds up to more than $1500! Crazy, right?
If saving money isn't enough to convince you that your meals need to come from home more often, this study suggests that people who cook their meals at home more often tend to have better overall health. When you prepare your own meals, two things happen:
1) you have the opportunity to taste test along the way, which prevents the addition of too much sugar or salt. Not to mention, you can make it taste exactly the way you like (no more making special requests on your orders!).
2) you become much more aware of the ingredients in your meals. You start to more readily associate a food with how it makes you feel since you've been able to process its preparation in addition to its consumption. So eventually, if you make an effort to be mindful of these things, you will probably start to favor the foods that make you feel better - the healthier ones!
So what can you do to curb the habit of quick and easy-to-get food when you're on the run?
Try out the five steps I've laid out below to help save your money and your health.
1. MAKE THE COMMITMENT
Before you do anything else, you have to decide that you want to change. You must make the commitment to not eat at restaurants any more. Write it down, tell your partner or best friend, do whatever it takes to keep you accountable.
2. BUY READY-MADE
Your grocery store is full of tons of options of ready-made meals. Check the deli, freezer, and refrigerated sections. You're bound to find something that looks appealing. Even though these options aren't always the most cost-effective ways to eat, they are always - ALWAYS - cheaper than eating at a restaurant. These kinds of foods will help make the transition to eating at home more often a little bit easier since there will be little to no prep work.
3. FIND ALTERNATIVES
Is your favorite treat going to the ice cream shop and getting a cone? Do you really love grabbing a burger and fries for lunch? There are plenty of these same things available at the grocery store. Sure, they'll taste a bit different, but they may be even better. If not, you always have the option of adding seasonings and changing it up to suit your taste!
4. MEAL PREP
One thing I struggle with the most is remembering to pack our lunches when we leave the house. When I do, though, I am so grateful! We tend to realize we're hungry at the last minute in my family, so having a few sandwiches and sides on hand in a small cooler is the perfect solution. Once we realize we're hungry, the food is right there with us and ready to eat. Meal prepping dinners is a great time saver, too. You can put all of your ingredients for a Crock Pot or casserole together in a plastic baggie a few days ahead of time - then all you have to do is empty it into the pot or pan, and cook! Even breakfast can be prepped; overnight oats cut down on morning prep time, and frozen breakfast burritos can be microwaved and eaten on your way out the door.
5. GRACE
If all else fails, give yourself some grace. Set a schedule for yourself - reducing the number of times you eat out in any given week, month, or even year, will still help you immensely. Find coupons for your favorite restaurants, or go when they're having a good special. Order water with your meal instead of tea or a fountain drink. At fast food places, order only entrees, bring them home, and make your own sides. There's no need to make yourself feel completely deprived; there are tons of ways to save when you do feel like treating yourself!
xoxo Christi Lee
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