Is this considered eating out?

[Tikitoi]

We are trying to be good, since we ate out 4 times last week. See, since we've moved a bit away from the "city" the center of it all, when we have to go out there, we are usually out there for a while so we end up eating out. But that's why we don't try to have to go out there so much.

So of the 4 times we had to go out there they were for appointments, and so we did choose to eat out each time.

So this brings me to ask; if we pick up a $5 sub or $10 pizza or something like that, is that considered eating out?

I'm trying to be good as I know we have to go out again for another day of appoinments (2 in one day) so will be eating out again. This won't be for another 2 weeks. Not sure I can last that long.....

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Were you trying not to "eat out" to save money or calories or for some other reason? Sometimes it is cheaper to grab a $5 sub or a $10 pizza than to cook at home. However, the calories could be much higher (there are a lot of variables there).

 

[maleficentmom]

We are trying to be good, since we ate out 4 times last week. See, since we've moved a bit away from the "city" the center of it all, when we have to go out there, we are usually out there for a while so we end up eating out. But that's why we don't try to have to go out there so much.

So of the 4 times we had to go out there they were for appointments, and so we did choose to eat out each time.

So this brings me to ask; if we pick up a $5 sub or $10 pizza or something like that, is that considered eating out?

I'm trying to be good as I know we have to go out again for another day of appoinments (2 in one day) so will be eating out again. This won't be for another 2 weeks. Not sure I can last that long.....

i think it's ok as long as the total cost is less than you would spend on a meal at home...5 or 10...well that is pretty good.I think you could definitely make a home cooked meal for less than 10,plus probably less fat....but I'm guilty of this too

 

[wgwtgb]

We are trying the same thing... It's sooooo hard!!!!!!! I don't consider that eating out. I too agree that if it's less thank cooking it isn't eating out. For example we can get a Little Ceaser's pizza for $6.50 with tax!!! That will feed myself, DS, and DD. When DH works nights this is so much easier!!! Also, we can eat off of Wendy's or BK $.0.99 menu for much cheaper that a pack of ground meat!!! What else should I do???

 

[wdwfan16]

We are trying to be good, since we ate out 4 times last week. See, since we've moved a bit away from the "city" the center of it all, when we have to go out there, we are usually out there for a while so we end up eating out. But that's why we don't try to have to go out there so much.

So of the 4 times we had to go out there they were for appointments, and so we did choose to eat out each time.

So this brings me to ask; if we pick up a $5 sub or $10 pizza or something like that, is that considered eating out?

I'm trying to be good as I know we have to go out again for another day of appoinments (2 in one day) so will be eating out again. This won't be for another 2 weeks. Not sure I can last that long.....

Yes you are eating out.

 

[prncess674]

We are trying the same thing... It's sooooo hard!!!!!!! I don't consider that eating out. I too agree that if it's less thank cooking it isn't eating out. For example we can get a Little Ceaser's pizza for $6.50 with tax!!! That will feed myself, DS, and DD. When DH works nights this is so much easier!!! Also, we can eat off of Wendy's or BK $.0.99 menu for much cheaper that a pack of ground meat!!! What else should I do???

It isn't always just the cost of the meal. You aren't getting any good nutrition and good calories from a BK or LC meal. It is processed, greasy and unhealthy. I decided that it was better for my health to buy raw veggies and raw meat and cook them myself than to fill it with empty calories and fat.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We are trying to be good, since we ate out 4 times last week. See, since we've moved a bit away from the "city" the center of it all, when we have to go out there, we are usually out there for a while so we end up eating out. But that's why we don't try to have to go out there so much.

So of the 4 times we had to go out there they were for appointments, and so we did choose to eat out each time.

So this brings me to ask; if we pick up a $5 sub or $10 pizza or something like that, is that considered eating out?

I'm trying to be good as I know we have to go out again for another day of appoinments (2 in one day) so will be eating out again. This won't be for another 2 weeks. Not sure I can last that long.....

Yes that would be considered eating out in our family.

 

[Justsyd2]

Well, if you're not eating at home, then you're usually eating out, and if you're eating something at home that you brought home from a food place, then you're eating take-out, so, if you didn't cook it at home, you're "eating out."

Can you eat before you go to an appointment? Do you have a crockpot? Those two things will help a lot!

 

[prncess674]

Can you not pack a picnic lunch and eat a nearby park? Even though it sounds innocent "it is only $5subs" but you are forgetting that if you are family of 4 that is $5*4 plus drinks plus tax. You could easily hit $30 on "just subs." If you did that twice a week you have spent $60. for $60 you could have gone out for a moderate sit down meal.

Have a healthy big breakfast at home before heading in to town and then pack healthy snacks to tide you over till you get home and can have a healthy unprocessed non greasy dinner.

 

[Ava]

It isn't always just the cost of the meal. You aren't getting any good nutrition and good calories from a BK or LC meal. It is processed, greasy and unhealthy. I decided that it was better for my health to buy raw veggies and raw meat and cook them myself than to fill it with empty calories and fat.

Ditto this. I would rather spend more for healthier food than eat from a fast food $0.99 menu on a regular basis. Every once in a while is fine, but I would not make that stuff a regular part of my diet, no matter how cheap it is.

To the OP, yes I would consider buying a sub or pizza (even if I take it home to eat it) as "eating out" for budgeting purposes. Whatever the reason you're trying to cut down on eating out, you've gotten some good suggestions for avoiding having to buy food when you are out running around for appointments/errands. If you have enough down time in between, I really like the suggestion of packing a lunch and eating in a park if the weather is nice. You'll be saving money, eating healthier, and soaking up some fresh air & sunshine.

 

[DawnM]

We take this with us a LOT.

http://www.target.com/dp/B002NGBGHU/ref=gp_se_search-results-asin-redirect

We use it at the parks and it is very handy to carry in to a place and not look like you are bringing in food.

It has saved us hundreds of dollars in the last couple of years.

Dawn

 

[busyshrew]

My family eats out regularly. At least once a week DH and I have lunch together alone (almost a date!), and then once a week we go out with our daughter and sometimes my parents will come along too.

We tend to eat out in places that are (a) independently and locally owned, and (b) serve food - usually asian - that would be difficult, time-consuming and expensive for us to make properly at home.

So quite often we will get indian curries, or vietnamese pho, or chinese dim-sum, or texas-style bbq ribs. Usually if it's take-away three of us can eat for under $20. So although we consider it "eating out" (i.e. Momma didn't cook it!), we also consider it excellent value.

But I sympathise with the OP. It is really, really hard to cook every single night without a break.

And here's my question. If you buy processed, ready-to-heat foods and are not "cooking" from scratch, is THAT similar to eating out? (i.e. what about frozen chicken nuggets, frozen fries, premade burgers, hot dogs, frozen pizzas, etc. etc. etc....?)

 

[Kay1]

And here's my question. If you buy processed, ready-to-heat foods and are not "cooking" from scratch, is THAT similar to eating out? (i.e. what about frozen chicken nuggets, frozen fries, premade burgers, hot dogs, frozen pizzas, etc. etc. etc....?)

Around here we call that "meal preparation" and we do it a lot.

 

[tiredsigh]

We were eating out all the time until recently. I have started trying to purchase as much natural whole grains and organic products as possible. We would then go out to eat once a week for a bad for you meal. The past two times we have done that, I have felt so sick to my stomach that I decided not to do it anymore. I'd rather pack a sandwich and take it with me to run errands. I do that for my toddler anyway since he doesn't like most restaurant food. I have an insulated lunchbox for him and place a small ice pack in there. It's easy to throw in something for myself as well

We booked DxDP a while back for this trip. I'm hoping I can live through it by not doing a lot of fried foods. I'm starting to feel a little scared though. At least TS meals have more veggie options.

 

[prncess674]

And here's my question. If you buy processed, ready-to-heat foods and are not "cooking" from scratch, is THAT similar to eating out? (i.e. what about frozen chicken nuggets, frozen fries, premade burgers, hot dogs, frozen pizzas, etc. etc. etc....?)

Those processed foods can be very expensive if you actually look at what is in the box.

I buy some convenience foods like frozen chopped veggies (no sauces, preservatives etc.) and pop them in Ziploc zip-n-steam bags for quick veggies. Could I have bought and chopped my own and put them on the stove in a steamer basket but the convience of pre chopped no mess does win out on many nights.

Another quick salad night for us is to run thru the supermarket salad bar and pick up all the fixins (pre cut veggies, cheese, etc) then stop and pick up a bag of prewashed greens then put them together at home.

There is a difference between buying processed and ready to heat. Ready to heat isn't a dirty wordl, I call it paying for convenience.

 

[luvmy3]

Yes, I would consider that eating out. I have been very guilty of that lately, with the kid's softball and T-ball and jujitsu I feel like I don't have time to cook, and the games haven't even started I am hoping to do homemade versions of eating out food. I will stock up on turkey to make sandwhiches, I plan on pre-grilling steaks and chicken to put on top of salads, things that we can bring to the field and eat there. There will be nights where we get a pizza, or subs, McDs or even the dreaded concession stand but I refuse to do that more than once a week and would like to do it even less if I could. I have already warned the family that for the next 3 months, dinners are going to be a little wacky

 

[flamingglobessigmund]

I would consider that eating out.
It is hard to get accustomed to cooking every dinner, every night. On days I don't feel like cooking (or don't have time) I will use the crock pot, bread machine, rice cooker, whatever gadget to make cooking easier. I also have some frozen meal starters (cook and add meat) that takes maybe 20 minutes from start to finish.

I have noticed that when we buy pizza from a pizza joint, we have to eat more to feel full. But when I make pizza, it takes 2 slices (sometimes less) and we are filled up.

 

[Ava]

We take this with us a LOT.

http://www.target.com/dp/B002NGBGHU/ref=gp_se_search-results-asin-redirect

Ooo, I want one of these! I'm really looking forward to doing a lot of outdoor things with DD this summer (zoo, aquarium, park, beach, etc) since she is getting old enough to enjoy them, but I want to stay away from concession stand food as much as possible.

I buy some convenience foods like frozen chopped veggies (no sauces, preservatives etc.) and pop them in Ziploc zip-n-steam bags for quick veggies. Could I have bought and chopped my own and put them on the stove in a steamer basket but the convience of pre chopped no mess does win out on many nights.

I buy frozen veggies a lot because I like being able to make just a little bit at a time in the microwave for DD (11 months old). I guess technically they are a convenience food, but at least they are a healthy one.

 

[Tikitoi]

Were you trying not to "eat out" to save money or calories or for some other reason? Sometimes it is cheaper to grab a $5 sub or a $10 pizza than to cook at home. However, the calories could be much higher (there are a lot of variables there).

Trying to not eat out so as not to be spending all our money on that. Yes, I'd rather spend it on groceries.

i think it's ok as long as the total cost is less than you would spend on a meal at home...5 or 10...well that is pretty good.I think you could definitely make a home cooked meal for less than 10,plus probably less fat....but I'm guilty of this too

This is what I thought, to. Until I started reading these responses

It isn't always just the cost of the meal. You aren't getting any good nutrition and good calories from a BK or LC meal. It is processed, greasy and unhealthy. I decided that it was better for my health to buy raw veggies and raw meat and cook them myself than to fill it with empty calories and fat.

And this is one reason I am rethinking that.

Well, if you're not eating at home, then you're usually eating out, and if you're eating something at home that you brought home from a food place, then you're eating take-out, so, if you didn't cook it at home, you're "eating out."

Very true.

Can you eat before you go to an appointment? Do you have a crockpot? Those two things will help a lot!

I do have and use my crockpot, at least twice a week. Probably need some new recipes.

Can you not pack a picnic lunch and eat a nearby park? Even though it sounds innocent "it is only $5subs" but you are forgetting that if you are family of 4 that is $5*4 plus drinks plus tax. You could easily hit $30 on "just subs." If you did that twice a week you have spent $60. for $60 you could have gone out for a moderate sit down meal.

Have a healthy big breakfast at home before heading in to town and then pack healthy snacks to tide you over till you get home and can have a healthy unprocessed non greasy dinner.

Good idea to bring sandwiches and snacks. Thank goodness for the most part when I'm running around, it is only me and DD. But when we bring something home that is usually when the pizza(s) come in.



Great points from everyone. Lots to think about.

 

[apnep]

So this brings me to ask; if we pick up a $5 sub or $10 pizza or something like that, is that considered eating out?

That's considered eating out in my book. But, if you're going to be out and need a quick bite, you gotta do what you gotta do.$5 probably won't break the bank...



Ang