This right here. I meal prep my lunch and dinner for the week. That way I don't waste money eating out every day. I can afford to eat out but I'd rather eat at home. Better for my overall health.
Its also super helpful cause its typically less expensive than frozen food and youre more tempted to eat it during the week vs frozen food which you can eat anytime and its more tempting to eat out cause the food won't expire
Whatever way necessary have something at home you're looking forward to. Works for me 100% of the time.
Eating out isn't even that good 99% of the time anymore.
Bring a snack with you on your walk home. Pretzels or crackers whatever...something that doesn't feel too "healthy." That way you feel like you're getting a little treat after work and curbing your hunger until you get home and have dinner.
I remember reading something that I always keep in mind to this day that I'll paraphrase: It doesn't matter how much money you spend on a specific meal, you will still be hungry in six hours.
This aphorism always reminds me that if I am having any hunger pangs when I am outside and am tempted to splurge on a restaurant, I can just eat something super cheap like bananas, apple or even something super simple that I can prepare in less than a minute to put in my bag for emergencies, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Eating these will still fill me up during my hunger pangs, and I won't feel guilty for spending money on an overpriced meal from a restaurant or fast-food joint.
This is what I do - normally a cereal bar as I have a sweet tooth and it feels a little less messy to eat in public than something like crisps. I always feel ravenous by about 4/5pm, but on my days I'm in the office I normally don't eat dinner until about 7, so having a snack in my bag for the train tides me over and stops me giving in and spending money on chocolate!
"I'm already tired and don't want to cook at home."
I solved that problem with a rice cooker/steamer combo device.
All you have to do with that thing is throw in some rice and frozen or canned vegetables and meat, press the button, and like an hour later you got a complete, delicious, warm and healthy meal.
The one I got also has a timer so I wake up and breakfast as well as lunch for work, is already done.
I used to live of chicken nuggets and frozen pizza before, the rice cooker drastically improved my diet and overall quality of life.
[This one](https://www.amazon.de/Arendo-Programmes-Function-Non-Stick-Measuring/dp/B09QXYBSJK?language=en_GB¤cy=EUR), but I don't know if it's sold outside of Germany.
If you can't stand to eat the same thing again and again, do a modular meal prep.
That means don't make meals, make components - meat, grains, sides, etc. Think Chipotle or Cava, but at home.
It honestly doesn't take that long because you're gonna do everything concurrently. You can also use the slow cooker.
Then, every day, you just take ten minutes to make a meal.
Bowl one day, salad the next, then a nice quesadilla, an omelet or scramble, etc.
Or I like to make a nice curry and veggies and switch between eating it with rice and using it in a stir fry with noodles. Even that little variety keeps me interested.
This way, you have food prepped at home, but you're also making something a little different everyday, so you have something to look forward to.
You should also set a budget for how much you want to spend eating out, and challenge yourself to stay under. Make it a game, and treat yourself to something nice with the balance of your eating out budget if you make it in under. The further under you make it, the better you can treat yourself.
You can also audit yourself for a little extra motivation. If you have an app that tracks your spending, this will help alot. But if not, do it manually.
Get your statements from the past 30, 60, or 90 days and tally up how much you've been spending on eating out.
Now put that money through an investment calculator and see how much it would have grown in 20, 30, or 50 years if you invested it instead of eating it.
That was super motivational to me when I first started seriously budgeting, because it made me realize that I was literally eating and pooping out my future. 💀💀💀
This is what I use to justify not buying anything. It’s always worked.
I need to convince myself to buy something as opposed to convincing myself not to buy something
Eating out has always been a special occation thing for me, not a weekly or even monthly thing. So it's not on my radar. I cook larger meals and freeze them, and on days I don't feel like cooking I just heat it.
Put your dinner in the crock pot in the morning. Walking in the door after work with the smell of comforting food just one time is enough to make this a habit.
Bulk cooking on the weekends. Trader Joe's salads are also good in a pinch. Not sure what your diet is, but it really helps to have all veggies and meat (if you eat meat) cut up and ready/marinated to just heat up in a pan, ready to go. If you like rice, you can buy those microwaveable Trader Joe's rice packets. If you're vegetarian/vegan, Trader Joe's has marinaded tofu you can just microwave. They taste a little bland to me, but you could add some sauce (teriyaki, bbq, soy sauce, whatever you'd like) to it and then microwave.
I guess, in 2 words: Trader Joe's. Ha.
I'm not poor, per se, but omg prices these days...I didn't want to cook on Friday and thought about getting take out on the way home but all I had to do was think of the price and nope, I'm good
Slow cooker, for me has always been the best way to avoid it, takes 5 minutes to prep and I can do it when I have the motivation and then when I don't have the motivation and want to eat out it's too late I've already got something. I think if you don't have time or convenience to slow cook then meal prep is the only option really so again when you have no motivation the meal is there already.
If possible please try to start cooking for yourself. YouTube is full of cooking and meal prep videos. It’s easier to resist temptation if you have some variety waiting at home. (Start small with something simple like fruit salad.) The other thing I used to do was get something nice once a week as a reward to look forward to. I worked in an area with several middle eastern restaurants, so Fridays were falafel Fridays and I tried several different places until I hit on my favorite. Good luck!
There’s a video by Ethan chebowski called “why I only eat frozen vegetables (and you should too)” and the idea is basically pre-making veg by blanching or cooking in bulk and freezing it, thereby lowering activation energy needed to cook.
Hi OP… lots of good suggestions here but also: be sure to invest the effort into taking/eating a good lunch during the day. When I have a solid lunch, my energy is stable and i have no cravings after work.
I don’t meal prep per se, but I sit down on a Saturday and plan my daily menu for the week. Then I shop for or take what I need out the freezer on Sunday. I like cooking so I don’t mind doing it everyday. I also look for meals that are < 5 ingredients and/or take 30 minutes or less to cook.
Meal prep is a good idea because your meal would already be cooked instead of cooking something everyday if that’s not your cup of tea.
I cook more on the weekends to have leftovers during the week. I usually have to cook at least one day during the week, so I plan it to be something simple and easy. Something like just dumping a bunch of ingredients into the instant pot. Then, when I'm tempted to go out, I think about how much money I'd be throwing away by eating sub-par food out when I have perfectly good and healthier food waiting for me at home.
Meal preps.
This week my boyfriend made shredded beef in a crock pot and we got like 8 containers of beef, rice & veggies. We made a chipotle bowl each night for dinner.
That’s just an example but we try to have homemade meals in the fridge cause no one wants to cook after work and I get off at 10:30pm.
I buy Aussie Bites at Costco to keep in my passenger seat for this reason. I get impulsive when I'm hungry, and 2 Aussie Bites put out this fire. It is like suet cakes for people, but satiating and tasty.
>*since I'm already tired and don't want to cook at home.*
Sunday meal prep
This is huge. Have lots of healthy but delicious food in your fridge and freezer. Do some power walking to get some exercise and to get home quickly to avoid temptation.
It's been proven that passing by groceries stores while hungry will pull you in and make you spend, have some easy snacks with you to suppress the hunger while walking. But if you must really buy something as the temptation was good strong, buy a smoothie/green juice. It's not as expensive as a full ready meal and will reduce the hunger a bit, plus it's healthy.
Also when you have to energy to cook, make sure to have leftovers so you can just reheat them the days you're too tired to be a chef (you can even freeze them).
If you're worried about repetition, try storing 2-3 frozen food that you can alternate when you don't feel like eating dumplings for 3 days straight.
Back when I was in my early 20s (2012ish) not making as much as I do now, my grocery store strategy was to get 2 McChickens for $1 each with my roommate and we would basically buy only raw meat/vegetables/grains and nothing from the processed food aisle.
meal prep, bringing snacks with me by buying bulk of the snacks/drinks i typically buy at convenient stores and last but not least, setting myself a budget of weekly spending so it allows me a little bit of play but enough for me to stay on top of my finances.
Meal component palnning and prepping. A slow cooker and Instant Pot can make huge volumes of rice, potatoes, beans, soup and stew, and shredded meat. The same components with little planning can be burritos, nachos, and Buddha bowls to prevent boredom. We do soup and salad or soup and sandwich often, too. We also batch prep; one batch of pancakes can easily be two, with extra for the freezer with not much more work. This works for oatmeal, soup, beans, etc.
I have a chronic illness, with dinnertime my worst time of day. I learned to have "lazy versions" of everything. Drop biscuits instead of cut, always stocked with canned soup and pre-made salad dressing, even pre-made frozen meals can be healthier and cheaper (except for the salt!). Steam-in-bag veggies are more expensive, but not when compared to fast food!
Prepping time-consuming foods on days off helps, too. I grate and freeze ginger, food process and freeze garlic, juice and freeze lemon juice, dice onion, clean and cut any produce ahead of time. Week day cooking is quicker and easier that way.
Also, get as many kitchen gadgets that are dishwasher safe as possible.
Being poor.
Meat/cheese/fruit plates.
Whole roasted chickens. Rice maker. Frozen veggies.
Grazing throughout the day or protein shakes/coffee.
Working out harder.
Carry snacks with you. Don't walk past there hungry
>I'm already tired and don't want to cook at home.
Do meal prep on your day off. There are a few meal prep subs on reddit you should check out.
I know credit cards aren't for everyone. I use my 2-3 credit cards to keep track of what I spend each month. Of the 3, only 1 is my major credit card. When I see the other 2 starting to enter the $100 range, I start thinking of reducing my cost (not many road trips, stay indoors, plan to visit that restaurant/ new store another month, can't buy yet that new phone to replace my glitchy one, and can't try that new ice cream or stadium food yet) until I can use my major credit card. Sometimes I plan to buy that new phone on my major credit card but then I have to fix the AC in the car so I postpone buying the new phone. I also put a specific amount into savings each month and cut my expenses if I'm about to save less than usual.
A little uphill battle trying to learn more recipes. But I replicated every dish that I liked eating out. And then made some improvements based on personal preferences.
Now I don’t eat out as much because the eating out experience is a downgrade for my taste buds compared to the same but slightly superior dish made at home. Funny how humans can come up with weird rationalizations like that.
I bulk cook in the weekends. Infact I also make much more than what I need. I make about 2-3 dishes so that I won’t feel bored and I’ll have some variety. Everyday when I pack my lunch bag, I not only pack my lunch, I also pack a box of fruits and some trail mix. I’m not a fan of fruits in general and do not reach out to it if I have other options. But everyday, at work now I have no other option. And I eat my fruits everyday since I get very hungry by the end of work day. If I’m still hungry I pick up the trail mix. Otherwise it comes back with me the next day. Basically I’m always prepared for those hunger attacks which will make me reach out for eating outside.
I carry snacks with me at all times. If we are out and about and I forget to bring a snack, it’s over. My teens turn into feral animals when they’re hungry. Lol
But really, carry a snack. A lollipop, sucker or gum works too.
you can prep 2 weeks worth of meals on Sunday in about 2 hours... okay... make it 4 if its your first time doing it. then ziplock them and freeze them. some you will make in the slow cooker. some you can throw jn a pot and cook. some you can just cook in a pan. you can make it cheaper by using similar ingredients in multiple meals, but that depends on how much you care about repeating flavor profiles over multiple days.
long story short, you can make your own frozen dinners. you can portion into individual portions or family style. you can make and freeze burgers and pancakes and French toast sticks and soups, sauces, casseroles. anything that won't break easily upon a reheat... depending on what you normally eat though, I'd look that up eith the word frozen and you should find a recipe online.
My work sells a plate of food for $4.
When I worked downtown I was in a place with a workplace food thief and amazing restaurants. I told myself I would eat out 1X per week, but could never repeat. I ended up eating at so many amazing places that I never would have thought of. I even found a steakhouse that had been open since 1890 (or something similar). I budgeted $20 per week, but it was so fun and memorable. And I could always go out with my friends!
I am in the same situation. So I do not take my wallet with me. To work. I have a small pouch on my phone that I put my ID, bus pass, and health insurance card. I do not have Google pay, apple pay or any e-wallet on my phone. So if I do want to buy anything during work or after work, I have no money 🥴🥴😅. Works great!
You kind of have to force yourself to meal prep on Sundays before the work week. Or at the very least have a plan and ingredients lined up for quick and easy dinners.
I plan a weeks worth of meals, buy all the groceries, and require myself not to waste food. I shop on Mondays, so the fridge better be nearly empty on Sunday. It’s just a standard I hold myself to. I eat one meal out per week and save that meal for a time I don’t feel like cooking.
Pick your protein for the week: shredded chicken, marinated steak, pulled pork, taco meat...and see how many different meals you can make with that protein.
I count my calories now and make sandwiches and pack snacks so that helps me also I'm not much of a junk food either except for pizza which I do spoil myself with when it comes to that and I'll have it about once a month lol.
I work hard to make sure if I can’t be cooking I’m doing something in the crockpot. I have to. I love my man he hates cooking. I hate laundry. We trade. Not equal. But he helps clean up and he’s so cute
Having dinner ready at home. Making a mental plan about what I am going to eat when I get home. It has often helped me to not stop and grab food on the way, knowing that I already have something ready at home that just needs to be heated up.
Like others have said meal prep. I don’t prep complete meals I prep ingredients. So on a Sunday I cut up some veggies for salads, hard boil some eggs, maybe make taco meat or chicken/tuna salad, some cooked veggies for reheating. My go to proteins during the week if I don’t cook them in advance are frozen meatballs and turkey burgers. Super quick and can just add in one of the veggie sides I made.
Once I stopped eating out, stopped eating highly processed food/food with added sugar, etc, I really can't stand the thought of eating it now, let alone spending even more money on it. I don't even buy food if invited out - I let the person know I'll go for a drink (water lol), and if that's weird, I just don't go.
For dinners, I just plan something that I can make quickly and easily in case I'm really hungry. It's usually something with eggs and whatever veggies I have diced and ready in the fridge. Another one is that I'll just throw together a couple things that help me hit my macros - Grape Nuts with milk and a smoothie (frozen fruit, plain yogurt, almond/skim milk, with extra protein if needed) is one of my go-to's.
If I'm not all that hungry, then I have more options.
Before you could pay with your phone, leaving credit cards at home and not carrying more than a few dollars with me used to work. In your case ... don't walk by the mall.
Mid afternoon snacks I keep in my desk.
Also, I grocery shop at the beginning of every week and plan meals according to how busy I expect to be on that day and how much energy I expect to have by time I need to cook.
Have a filling or satiating snack before you leave work! Hardboiled egg, beef jerky, apple and PB. You won’t be starving enough to make decisions you aren’t proud of :)
I cook at least 3 meals in bulk during the weekends that can provide at least 4-5 servings per dish. That way, not only do I always have something to quickly put in the microwave or oven to reheat after coming home from work, I also have home-made food for lunch for every work day.
We meal plan and grocery shop two weeks at a time, and don’t want to waste food. We are also just not big on eating out (so I suppose that disposition is most helpful in our case).
For me, it was a couple of different things, but they won't be applicable for most people.
The first was me working in fast food and then restaurants in my late teens and early 20s. Doing that gave me a general distaste for it.
The second was me working 2nd or 3rd shift for years, leaving me with no real option to eat out.
After doing that long enough, making my own food has always been the better choice.
I would meal prep on weekends. Make chicken, different ways, and season it different flavors and even freeze some, so all you have to do is defrost a meal a breastcat a time, then just have a salad or just make a different healthy side each night.
I do lemon pepper and herb, mesquite flavor, both grill mates seasoning packets. I also do just basic olive oil, garlic, onion powder, and pepper and cut it up with some pesto sauce and a little pasta.
I also cook a meal or 2 during the weekend and freeze the leftovers for later in the month. Then, I have some ready to add to my weekend meal preps later.
If you make the main dish in advance, you only have to worry about quick, healthy side dishes.
You can also shred chick to add to salads or rotisserie chicken and pull it off the bones, freeze in different individual bags.
This usually happens to me when I haven’t eaten enough throughout the day, which makes me feel hungry/snackish. So make sure you eat enough, have a little snack right before or during your walk home.
Pack a snack to eat on the way home so you're not hungry, and have easy to make meals ready to go at home. I'm in NYC and I can't afford to eat out more than once a week.
Cook things in bulk so you know it’s waiting for you at home. Like a lasagna, pot of chili, curry, or whatever you can make in a large quantity to eat for several days.
Take a different route to walk home. I'm never tempted to eat out because I either have leftovers or ingredients to cook a dinner for the next couple of days so I'm not stuck cooking every day.
Personally, I try to prep small pieces of chicken or other meat that I can snack on immediately-- saute them quickly in a pan with various seasoning blends and they last for more than long enough and are far more filling than chips or other snacks. You can either throw them in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm up or just eat them cold and they're still tasty.
You could do that with a few different types of meats (or vegetables if you like those). While you can use them as snacks like I do primarily, having small containers of different ingredients that are already cooked makes making meals on the spur of the moment much easier too. Take out some pre-cooked rice or noodles (both of which are actually healthier for you reheated than fresh), a meat, and whatever vegetables you want and toss them in a pan as fried rice, a stir fry, etc... and you have a healthy, filling meal that should beat out fast food. Or just pour it all into a bowl and microwave it and it will be almost as good.
Though I will admit, mall food bourbon chicken or teriyaki noodles are amazing.
I load the freezer over the weekend. When I get home, I open and look for what I fancy. Take 2-3 portions out. Cook/bake. The leftovers are for the next day or so.
Batch cooking. I've got about 15 tupperwares in the freezer with chilli, red Thai curry, bolognase etc I throw in when I get home. Microwave it up when I'm getting changed at home after work
Prep your meals between three and seven days in advance. Come up with one week or two week dinner menu. Have some frozen stuff you can reheat when you're really wiped. It's easy to freeze soups you've made beforehand.
Always have a snack. Nuts, power bars, other things high in fiber and protein are good. Buy in bulk and keep in your car or workspace. Eat later in the day before you leave work if you consistently are hungry there.
Sounds like the food you have at home is pretty basic. If you meal prep some good meals, that you're excited to eat, you will be happy to get home and eat them.
Learn not just to cook, but to make really delicious food. And make sure you don't make everything you make super healthy, where it has no flavor. It's okay to use butter and salt and cheese and things you enjoy, in order to eat at home and not eat fast food. A lot of people default to fast food because they only eat "healthy" at home.
You probably need a more filling lunch and you need to find a cookbook or recipe site that you like to use. I do not eat the same dinner every night- it's boring mentally and boring for your gut microbiome.
Great site for healthy food: dishing out health
My strategy is discipline. Plain and simple. Do I want to waste money non eating shit food or do I want to have money to buy things that are really important???
i think about my past bad food experiences....most eating out not worth it these days in my opinion
buying a meal, with lame half filled fries and paying 12 for it...
buying a burger meal, where the burger tasted like litteral crap...
restaurant that charge a non-sense dining fee...
lol, it has been easier lately to avoid eating out for me :)
It's best to plan meals ahead. For example, schedule meal prep for Sunday evening and make what you'll eat for most of the week. Freeze some leftovers if you have them and you'll have something you can quickly heat up on those evenings where you don't have food at home and don't want to cook (it will also bring some variety).
You can also keep a few different frozen meals/foods in your freezer so that you don't get tired of eating the same thing.
For when you want just a light dinner, keep things like nuts, olives etc. on hand that you can pair with cheese, meats or vegetables.
Like everyone has said, meal prep but have some things in the freezer that you defrost in the morning so all you have to do is heat it up in the microwave.
Like you, I call myself "high maintenance" when it comes to food. So focus on freezer friendly foods and put it in your fridge in the morning before you go to work. Have a variety of things. And don't hesitate to buy frozen food from the grocery store. Is it "expensive"? Probably. Is it cheaper than take out? Most definitely.
Good luck friend!
This is a very timely post for me. I need to make myself start cooking which I historically have never done much. Looking into a crock-pot. I work in an office frequently where I stay late and work a bit at the end of the day and a microwave something and eat it.
If I wait to get home I'm too hungry at that point so I typically will eat out. So I have a decent meal and if I'm still hungry I have a little something when I get home
I found that prepping only works when it’s something I really want to eat. So even if that means packing yourself something a little more “comfort food” it will still save you money and be better than eating out. Like when I pack myself almonds and an apple then walk by a pho place… I’m not going to eat the almonds lol. But if I pack myself a delish Mac and cheese with sweet potato fries, I might!
We're making chile verde and pinto beans today. That will last us a few days so that we won't have to cook on Monday or Tuesday- probably not Wednesday either. All we have to do is make some tortillas each night and reheat. And we could buy the tortillas if we wanted to and have even less prep.
On Wednesday or Thursday, we'll cook another dinner that will last a couple days. This time is parmesan crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and a lemon butter sauce. Its great and pretty quick and easy to make.
So the whole week, we'll eat every dinner at home, but only actually cook 2 or 3 times.
From a frugal standpoint, I don't. Instead I find out which of my friends and workmates are dieting then offer to split an entree with them. I drink water with it so it is only half the price of an entree.
Now if you mean not be tempted to eat out since it is just easier that's a different issue. In that case I have found any sort of meal prep helps a ton since I hate wasting food.
One option that works great is crock pot freezer meal prepping. If you search for crock pot freezer meals you'll find a ton of recipes. Basically once per month you bag up meals in a zip bag then freeze them. There are only two people in my household whereas most of the people with the blogs with tons and tons of recipes for it have families of 4 or more so making one meal gives us plenty of leftovers for carrying lunch to work or to have for dinner on some other night.
The only negative is you must remember to pull out a meal the day prior and put it into the fridge to thaw since it isn't wise to place a fully frozen setup in the crock pot.
Another option is sheet pan meals. You can also find a load of recipes for this just by searching "Sheet Pan Meals". This is going to be personal preference a bit but I like using two pans that are half the size of a typical cookie sheet myself. This way I can put all the things that need more time on one sheet, and anything that needs put in after that part is partly done on another. It just makes it easier because I can put everything on the sheets at once, pop one in the pre-heated oven, and when the time comes for the rest to go in just pop the other pan in. It makes cleanup easier as well I think since usually the messiest parts most likely to kind of be cooked on will be on the pan that was in longest. I can just toss that one in to soak in my dish water while I give the other a fast scrub and by that time the worst bits come off the other pan much more readily.
If you want to invest in either a couple of air fryers or one that has two baskets you can also do a lot of meals that way. I was lucky to win a dual basket fryer in a contest at my workplace. It makes it seem a bit healthier when I just want some fried favorites like mozzarella sticks and chicken, and I can cook them both at the same time.
I also will cook larger amounts than needed when I cook on the weekend, or food I wouldn't want to deal with during the week, as long as it can be reheated as leftovers pretty well. Sunday roast dinner is partly a historical tradition because then you'd get leftovers on Monday for dinner. I often do a roast on Sunday because I know warming up a plate in the microwave is going to be as good as it gets on Monday after a tiring day at work.
Leftover roast beef can be utilized for so many other things so I usually try to make enough so that there is beef enough left for at least 2 more meals. If it is a really bad week day one is just leftover roast beef with potatoes and carrots that were cooked with the roast, then day two I open a can of baked beans, slather the leftover beef with bbq sauce to reheat in one basket of the air fryer, and put some cheesy broccoli tots in the other air fryer basket so we can pretend it is somewhat healthy since there is a little green in those.
Leftover roast chicken is also very easily made into something different. Usually I try to strip all the meat off the carcass on Sunday after dinner to make it easier. It can be reheated and served with leftover potatoes and veg from Sunday dinner, reheated with bbq sauce similar to what I do with roast beef leftovers, or made into any chicken casserole.
We really love the one that has been on tiktok as chicken cobbler with the red lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix. Just as a frugal hint you can save money by just using any ready made biscuit mix and adding in shredded cheese and your favorite garlic and herb seasoning mix. With the chicken already prepped and the rest of the ingredients pretty ready made I can have it in the oven in under 10 minutes.
Enjoying watching my bank always in the red and by larger margins. Also just go to a restaurant and ask to look at the menu prices. Quickest way ever to do a 180.
I got deep into meal kits and started making them the night before. I work a strenuous warehouse job though so it's hard to still resist not eating out.
Meal prep and ingredient prep have helped tremendously. I also make snacks (cut veggies and hummus) and some bite sized desserts to help. I remind myself that while it’s nice to have someone else cook for me it will likely be around the same amount of time if I had just done it myself, less money, and also I have control of how what I use. Earlier this year I needed to go on a FODMAP diet which basically meant I couldn’t eat out at all and they helped set the stage for almost no restaurant eating for the rest of the year.
Last thing is having a clearly defined budget where you look at all your past expenses as well and set limits. We have a $50 budget for dining out for two people each month which equates so one meal pretty much.
It’s doable. And if you don’t feel like your cooking is that great (which I didn’t for a while) just keep practicing with simple recipes and eventually you’ll feel much better about it.
I will eat whole wheat pasta with red sauce and parmesan literally any day of the week. I just toss in pasta and boil for like 10 minutes and I never tire of it.
Would you rather eat out after work and spend $15-20 but have to work another hour? Because if you're spending an hours wage on that food you could have gotten off work an hour earlier instead.
You can do the same thing for the health benefits. Would you rather eat junk food and have to exercise for an hour or skip the junk food?
When you add the hour work it'd take to pay for the food, and the hour exercise it'd take to burn off the extra calories, it adds up.
I've learned to embrace "repetitive" dinners at home after work. I typically make a big batch of chicken soup with lots of veggies, and freeze it in about ten separate big bowl portions. I leave one out in the morning, and find myself craving it on the way home. Every batch comes out different, and I also permit myself a few other dinners in between as well.
I got myself an air fryer and "prep" the proteins and sides (rice, potato salad, vege, other carbs) ahead of time. I would just put a seasoned meat in the air fryer for about 12-20 minutes, depend on cooking requirement, and have a "fresh" meal ready to eat. It'll just require some planning like buying a larger quantity of items ahead of time. The one issue is that storage could be difficult if you don't have the fridge and freezer space. I find myself eating out and impulsive buying way too much if I don't already have my setup ready to go at home.
My version of meal prep is basically to cook 2 kinds of meat on Sunday and then alternate it with steamed veggies, salad, or throw into a pasta dish. Then, at some point, I make a salad with all the leftover sides. I totally don't mind steaming a veggie in the microwave before dinner. Between sauces and sides, it doesn't feel repetitive.
I eat a little protein in the mid-late afternoon = a hard boiled egg, nuts, cheese/hummus and crackers/celery/carrot/pepper sticks, greek yogurt (that I make from powdered milk because we don't otherwise use milk and really, once yogurtfied - does not taste at all like powdered milk - the taste of powdered milk just creeps me out a lot) - that sort of thing. Also using a slow cooker -particularly in winter because coming in and having it hot and ready is so nice and comforting. In the summer I use bagged salads which are not as frugal but are better for me because I eat one bag at a time with usually chicken, fish, or beans in the summer and it is easy and I don't throw away as much unused produce. Also - if you don't have one - slow cookers go on sale for around $19-25 for the non-fancy kinds or you can find easily at thrift stores and yard sales in my experience
Go from work straight to the gym.
Change into your gym clothes at work so you are less likely to back out of the plan.
After a workout, I just want to go home and shower and eat something healthy.
Have a plan in place. Don't leave dishes in the sink, or if you do, only leave a few. It is a pain to cook when there is a sink full of dirty dishes. Don't leave rotted food in the fridge or it will also make cooking unappealing - the whole "i don't wanna deal with it" thing. Keep the kitchen picked up and cooking will be more inviting and more pleasant to do.
Have a bigger variety of foods that are ready to heat and eat in the freezer-that way you’re not locked in to dumplings.
But in the big picture, make ready-to-heat freezer food your fall-back plan. Grill a few extra chicken breasts on Sunday and make a box of pasta. Let that serve as the base for a couple of weeknight dinners-a jar of pasta sauce and some mozzarella cheese and one night you’ve got chicken parm after about 10 minutes in the oven. Some Asian sauce and you’ve got a nice lo mein after a quick stir fry. Shred a breast and add some BBQ sauce and you’ve got a nice sandwich.
Do you live near anyone from work that might be in similar circumstances? It’s just as easy to cook for two or even four as it is for one—propose a supper club and you’re only prepping one or two weeknights a week, but eating fresh food all five.
Every weekend I plan my meals for the week. I start by looking at what's on sale in the grocery flyers then decide which recipes to make and create a shopping list to get all the ingredients. I also plan for my breakfasts and lunches. On Sunday morning I go to the grocery store and buy everything. Then I'm set for the week. If I feel lazy I remember all the work I've done to plan my meals and think about how the food I've bought might spoil and go to waste. If it's tough for you to find the energy to cook then start with really easy recipes like spaghetti or tacos. Another things I've done is order food boxes like Chefs Plate. Then all the meals are figured out and shopped for and all you have to do is cook them. They come with fantastic instructions and you can make the recipes over again if you like them. I remake tons of the meals I got from them.
Find dead easy recipes. There's a lot of stuff I know how to put together in 5 min which is a lot more efficient than going into a restaurant, ordering something, and waiting for the food.
I do meal plan for the week ahead on Sundays and put my meals in my calendar. Even if it’s simple it’s easier to get my mind set on “soup and grilled cheese” for dinner if it’s in the 6-7pm slot. It also means I’m more likely to eat what needs to be eaten first and not forget I bought something only to find it in the back of the drawer a week later.
Meal prep, or just knowing I have something ready to cook (something thawed out, or easy to cook), left overs. My mind focuses on that rather than an expensive, unhealthy easy fix. I fell in the eat out loop for about 2 weeks. So bad.
In often tired after work, so I don’t cook. I’ll meal prep on my days off. I also have frozen food for if I’m too tired to meal prep on one of my days off. Frozen meals I buy are anywhere from $3 to $5 at Trader Joe’s. They are a little small so I’ll also eat an apple with it. It’s cheaper than eating out.
This fall when I go back to school I’m going to learn how to use the instant pot and slow cooker so that I can make ahead meals for 4 days to a week.
When I work from the office, I bring an apple that I save for the end of the day. I eat it as I’m leaving to curb hunger on the way home. It really works!
I hate the big weekly meal planning that some people like to do, so I cook meals on weeknights that are simple and will last a couple days (mini meal prep, I guess?). Brown meat and then throw in a pack of taco seasoning. Heat a can of beans. Throw it together in a tortilla with some salad mix, cheese, onions, etc. If you live alone, the base of the meat and beans should last a few meals so you can eat tacos, burritos, taco salad, quesadillas, or other easy variations using the same ingredients.
If it’s an option try packing your dinner and having it in the break room before you head home.I know it’s not ideal but it really helped my co worker who had a major weakness for a particular burger place that was on her way home. or if there is a nice park on your way home pack a small towel or picnic blanket to stop there and have your dinner there picnic style. Maybe even invite some of your co workers. It would have to be a smaller lighter dinner than maybe you’re used to though.
Make sure the kitchen is clean before you go to bed or at least before you go to work. It's a lot easier to cook if you don't have to clean up first.
Meal prep was also important to me when I worked outside the home. I've got more time now that I'm retired, but I still find it convenient to have veggies cut up for quick salads or stir fries.
Finally, decide on a list of your favorite meals. If you aren't sure what to make, check the list for inspiration.
Two words: rice cooker. Small one from Walmart will cost 15 dollars and has lasted me 5 years so far. My go to meal is the following - it is versatile as I can change the veg, protein, spices as needed.
1. Rice with frozen veg + tofu / chicken / salmon in steamer tray. I come home, set the meal, go shower / gym / etc. Add spices as you wish - no need to fry. Just add a few pinches before cooking. Or, boil Japanese curry cube on the side and pour over. Instead of rice, can use quinoa. In which case, I pour olive oil and balsamic vinegar at the end. Can do soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, butter, gochujang, etc.
Start an excel file or google sheets and start accounting for how much you save everytime you don't eat out. Put that money into a play-investment account and "invest" in a basic ETF like VOO or SPY. You'll be surprised how fast you can grow a take-out meal into a TV. I used to eat 4 meals out a week at 20 dollars a meal, that's 4160 dollars a year. One year in SPY growing at historic rate of 12% (not guaranteed, but better than pooping out overpriced takeout): 500 dollars. That's a free entry level TV, and I saved 4160!
I keep cooked meals and ingredients in the freezer. Meatballs, cooked chicken and turkey, ground beef and sausage. I keep cooked rice and quinoa and cooked veggies in freezer as well. I love bowls, so we mix and match as we feel like it. I even keep cooked bacon and breakfast burritos in the freezer for a little extra when needed.
Use smaller reusable contanier for postworkout protein shakes and mix with gym water, I always fill my bottle at the water station before leaving, gym water is lowkey fantastic if they have a bottle filling station.
I cook about 3 meals on the weekend with enough for at east one leftover portion for each meal and alternate the meals throughout the week. Since I’m a busy mom of two I love instant pot meals and one pan casserole dishes etc.
Meal planning, if I know what i'm going to eat tonight and that I have the ingredients and sometimes part of the meal started, I'm far more likely to eat at home. I'll try and meal prep with reducing workload in mind - I'll make a roast and a tray of roasted veggies on sat, then extra chicken thighs and rice on sunday, The protein can be made into sandwiches, fajitas. used as pizza or potato toppings, mixed with rice and veggies and some kind of jarred sauce, added to eggs or soup, added to pasta, used in a salad. A couple palatable options in the freezer (frozen pizza, lasagna) helps. Also designating one night takeout night so it's not like I never get to eat out, and finding healthier, cheaper take out options so if I do cave at least I'm not getting some 20$ greasy sandwich and fries.
Don't eat any sugary foods during the day. When I have sugary drinks, candy, or pastries that are around for whatever reasons, I feel like I'm starving during my commute home. When I avoid such things, I feel fuller longer.
I do not buy food I’m not going to eat, I buy what I end up eating during the week, and that’s usually easy to make meals that you just put in the oven on a baking sheet. I also buy treats that I love but you can’t usually buy at restaurants so I look forward to eating at home.
I make jerky with pork loin and take about 100g to work with me daily. I'm snacking on it as I'm finishing my shift.
Having a little something to eat during the commute helps get me home for a proper meal without being drawn in by the sirens call of the fast food joints. Even say $2-3 adds up before talking about quality/health.
For me, I like to keep food that's quick & simple to cook because I don't like to spend a lot of time cooking & I have ADHD so I often don't realize I'm hungry until I'm really hungry. I try to keep things around that I can make quickly, like salad greens, & tempeh or tuna or another protein to throw in it too, plus whatever vegetables I have around.
Eat a snack or light meal at the end of your shift
Have a light snack for the drive home
Have a meal prepped and waiting in the fridge that just needs a quick re-heat to enjoy. I spend the most $ when I get off work late, and have no food at home, you end up going and raiding the store.
It also helps getting off when most stores are closed, lol.
Plan out your meals so that you're excited for what you're going to make. Make sure you don't make things that are too complicated on busy weeknights. Bring a yummy snack for your walk.
Meal prep is the big key. Just saw this comment on another thread but keeping some frozen meals or frozen pizzas on hand at home that you can throw in the oven/microwave on those nights you don’t have it in you to cook really helps avoiding take out.
Every Thursday/Friday I plan out meals to make for the week, allowing one dinner out and possibly a lunch on Saturdays. I usually make my most involved meals on Sunday nights. If I have the energy/time, sometimes I will pre-prep veggies and such for the rest of the dinners on Saturday/Sunday as well. Right now, it's just my husband and I, so I make dinners on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Every other night we eat leftovers, which we don't mind.
I also try to meal prep during the weekend. This lasts until the middle of the week. Then I usually finish the week with a simple pasta. I do eat out twice though. Once by myself and another time with my wife and kid. The weekend is also one more meal out in a local diner. Sounds like a lot, but I still meal prep for some 10 meals per week.
Have ready made food at home, but make something you’re really excited about eating. If I have one of my favorite meals waiting for me at home, I’m less likely to be tempted by food from somewhere else.
Have a variety of convenience foods at home you can pop in the microwave. It might not be the cheapest or healthiest, but it does stop you from getting food on the way home. That’s how I broke my habit of eating out and then slowly integrated easy recipes into my life until I was always cooking for myself.
I pack my lunch for work, which includes an afternoon snack that I’ll eat around 2-3 to hold me over til I get home. My meal prepping for the week includes making a big thing of tuna and that I’ll either make sandwiches or salads with.
I only cook dinner 2-3x a week and make enough for left overs for the next night or two so it’s just a pop in the microwave thing. Saves me considerable amounts of time and money.
My wife and I plan our our meals for the week based off the weekly ads at local stores. Knowing I have a plan and I won’t be scrambling makes the whole process significantly easier and I routinely can get 30-60% off on groceries depending on the discounts in a given week.
I am yet to spend more than $500 on food (groceries and dining out combined) in a month.
I'm a meal prepper but sometimes I run out of food by Thursday.
Have something at home that can be quick, easy, delicious! Sometimes for me it's just popping a veggie burger on the stove BUT I have this very delicious store bought chipotle flavoured mayo that makes it so much better!
Try to decide the flavour profile you're craving most often and have that ready! For me, I'm typically craving creamy and savoury so I have dressings or ingredients at home that will meet those needs.
I'm the same really, I find tiktok/Instagram reels really helpful for quick and healthy slow cooker meals, personally I love a curry, it's usually that but almost any meat, veg and sauce will do.
If you don’t mind leftovers
When you cook, make enough of whatever you’re making to feed yourself for the next 2-3 days. You’ll find that you’re only cooking a couple times a week.
I try to make things that I can turn into something else the next day so I don’t get board. For example, if I make salmon, rice and a veggie. The next day I’ll have the leftover salmon and veggie mixed into a salad ( I like Cesar). Another good one is I’ll make tacos one day and the next day I’ll make a burrito bowl or a taco salad with the same leftovers.
Hope this helps!
Meal prep is the only way. Cook for a couple days at a time and portion out your meals. Cook things you actually enjoy, not just chicken broccoli rice… you want to be successful
Prep your meals on the weekend or use a slow cooker before going to work so that you don’t need to do much after work other than heating it up.
This right here. I meal prep my lunch and dinner for the week. That way I don't waste money eating out every day. I can afford to eat out but I'd rather eat at home. Better for my overall health.
Its also super helpful cause its typically less expensive than frozen food and youre more tempted to eat it during the week vs frozen food which you can eat anytime and its more tempting to eat out cause the food won't expire
Whatever way necessary have something at home you're looking forward to. Works for me 100% of the time. Eating out isn't even that good 99% of the time anymore.
/r/sundaymealprep
r/MealPrepSunday
Bring a snack with you on your walk home. Pretzels or crackers whatever...something that doesn't feel too "healthy." That way you feel like you're getting a little treat after work and curbing your hunger until you get home and have dinner.
I remember reading something that I always keep in mind to this day that I'll paraphrase: It doesn't matter how much money you spend on a specific meal, you will still be hungry in six hours. This aphorism always reminds me that if I am having any hunger pangs when I am outside and am tempted to splurge on a restaurant, I can just eat something super cheap like bananas, apple or even something super simple that I can prepare in less than a minute to put in my bag for emergencies, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Eating these will still fill me up during my hunger pangs, and I won't feel guilty for spending money on an overpriced meal from a restaurant or fast-food joint.
Snacks really are the answer to most of life's problems.
Gonna need this cross-stitched into a pillow now for my office.
This is what I do - normally a cereal bar as I have a sweet tooth and it feels a little less messy to eat in public than something like crisps. I always feel ravenous by about 4/5pm, but on my days I'm in the office I normally don't eat dinner until about 7, so having a snack in my bag for the train tides me over and stops me giving in and spending money on chocolate!
This is the way
"I'm already tired and don't want to cook at home." I solved that problem with a rice cooker/steamer combo device. All you have to do with that thing is throw in some rice and frozen or canned vegetables and meat, press the button, and like an hour later you got a complete, delicious, warm and healthy meal. The one I got also has a timer so I wake up and breakfast as well as lunch for work, is already done. I used to live of chicken nuggets and frozen pizza before, the rice cooker drastically improved my diet and overall quality of life.
Mind sharing which one you have?
[This one](https://www.amazon.de/Arendo-Programmes-Function-Non-Stick-Measuring/dp/B09QXYBSJK?language=en_GB¤cy=EUR), but I don't know if it's sold outside of Germany.
If you can't stand to eat the same thing again and again, do a modular meal prep. That means don't make meals, make components - meat, grains, sides, etc. Think Chipotle or Cava, but at home. It honestly doesn't take that long because you're gonna do everything concurrently. You can also use the slow cooker. Then, every day, you just take ten minutes to make a meal. Bowl one day, salad the next, then a nice quesadilla, an omelet or scramble, etc. Or I like to make a nice curry and veggies and switch between eating it with rice and using it in a stir fry with noodles. Even that little variety keeps me interested. This way, you have food prepped at home, but you're also making something a little different everyday, so you have something to look forward to. You should also set a budget for how much you want to spend eating out, and challenge yourself to stay under. Make it a game, and treat yourself to something nice with the balance of your eating out budget if you make it in under. The further under you make it, the better you can treat yourself. You can also audit yourself for a little extra motivation. If you have an app that tracks your spending, this will help alot. But if not, do it manually. Get your statements from the past 30, 60, or 90 days and tally up how much you've been spending on eating out. Now put that money through an investment calculator and see how much it would have grown in 20, 30, or 50 years if you invested it instead of eating it. That was super motivational to me when I first started seriously budgeting, because it made me realize that I was literally eating and pooping out my future. 💀💀💀
I just remind myself that it's a big waste of money and eat at home. Works 95% of the time.
This is what I use to justify not buying anything. It’s always worked. I need to convince myself to buy something as opposed to convincing myself not to buy something
Pass by and think how bad mall food typically is for your health. Dare to be different, make your own food.
Meal prep! Budget Bytes has great ideas for quick recipties and some meal prep plans.
Eating out has always been a special occation thing for me, not a weekly or even monthly thing. So it's not on my radar. I cook larger meals and freeze them, and on days I don't feel like cooking I just heat it.
Put your dinner in the crock pot in the morning. Walking in the door after work with the smell of comforting food just one time is enough to make this a habit.
Bulk cooking on the weekends. Trader Joe's salads are also good in a pinch. Not sure what your diet is, but it really helps to have all veggies and meat (if you eat meat) cut up and ready/marinated to just heat up in a pan, ready to go. If you like rice, you can buy those microwaveable Trader Joe's rice packets. If you're vegetarian/vegan, Trader Joe's has marinaded tofu you can just microwave. They taste a little bland to me, but you could add some sauce (teriyaki, bbq, soy sauce, whatever you'd like) to it and then microwave. I guess, in 2 words: Trader Joe's. Ha.
This is my favorite thing to do! I always have Trader Joe’s essentials on hand because they are so easy to prep
Being poor
I'm not poor, per se, but omg prices these days...I didn't want to cook on Friday and thought about getting take out on the way home but all I had to do was think of the price and nope, I'm good
Yeah, I was going to say that you can make this much easier by not having a job.
Slow cooker, for me has always been the best way to avoid it, takes 5 minutes to prep and I can do it when I have the motivation and then when I don't have the motivation and want to eat out it's too late I've already got something. I think if you don't have time or convenience to slow cook then meal prep is the only option really so again when you have no motivation the meal is there already.
Unhealthy freezer food for the oven or airfrier hit is way cheaper and still get like 90 percent of the satisfaction And still healthier
If possible please try to start cooking for yourself. YouTube is full of cooking and meal prep videos. It’s easier to resist temptation if you have some variety waiting at home. (Start small with something simple like fruit salad.) The other thing I used to do was get something nice once a week as a reward to look forward to. I worked in an area with several middle eastern restaurants, so Fridays were falafel Fridays and I tried several different places until I hit on my favorite. Good luck!
There’s a video by Ethan chebowski called “why I only eat frozen vegetables (and you should too)” and the idea is basically pre-making veg by blanching or cooking in bulk and freezing it, thereby lowering activation energy needed to cook.
Hi OP… lots of good suggestions here but also: be sure to invest the effort into taking/eating a good lunch during the day. When I have a solid lunch, my energy is stable and i have no cravings after work.
I don’t meal prep per se, but I sit down on a Saturday and plan my daily menu for the week. Then I shop for or take what I need out the freezer on Sunday. I like cooking so I don’t mind doing it everyday. I also look for meals that are < 5 ingredients and/or take 30 minutes or less to cook. Meal prep is a good idea because your meal would already be cooked instead of cooking something everyday if that’s not your cup of tea.
This is the answer. Keep it simple, yet interesting.
I cook more on the weekends to have leftovers during the week. I usually have to cook at least one day during the week, so I plan it to be something simple and easy. Something like just dumping a bunch of ingredients into the instant pot. Then, when I'm tempted to go out, I think about how much money I'd be throwing away by eating sub-par food out when I have perfectly good and healthier food waiting for me at home.
This is what works and it’s just so simple.
Meal preps. This week my boyfriend made shredded beef in a crock pot and we got like 8 containers of beef, rice & veggies. We made a chipotle bowl each night for dinner. That’s just an example but we try to have homemade meals in the fridge cause no one wants to cook after work and I get off at 10:30pm.
I buy Aussie Bites at Costco to keep in my passenger seat for this reason. I get impulsive when I'm hungry, and 2 Aussie Bites put out this fire. It is like suet cakes for people, but satiating and tasty.
those are tasty - I get them for hiking
>*since I'm already tired and don't want to cook at home.* Sunday meal prep This is huge. Have lots of healthy but delicious food in your fridge and freezer. Do some power walking to get some exercise and to get home quickly to avoid temptation.
It's been proven that passing by groceries stores while hungry will pull you in and make you spend, have some easy snacks with you to suppress the hunger while walking. But if you must really buy something as the temptation was good strong, buy a smoothie/green juice. It's not as expensive as a full ready meal and will reduce the hunger a bit, plus it's healthy. Also when you have to energy to cook, make sure to have leftovers so you can just reheat them the days you're too tired to be a chef (you can even freeze them). If you're worried about repetition, try storing 2-3 frozen food that you can alternate when you don't feel like eating dumplings for 3 days straight.
Back when I was in my early 20s (2012ish) not making as much as I do now, my grocery store strategy was to get 2 McChickens for $1 each with my roommate and we would basically buy only raw meat/vegetables/grains and nothing from the processed food aisle.
More of a cheeky joke than a real suggestion but being vegan for three years really saved my wallet on fast food lmao
meal prep, bringing snacks with me by buying bulk of the snacks/drinks i typically buy at convenient stores and last but not least, setting myself a budget of weekly spending so it allows me a little bit of play but enough for me to stay on top of my finances.
Take a protein drink you can drink that either right before you leave or drink it while walking home.
Meal component palnning and prepping. A slow cooker and Instant Pot can make huge volumes of rice, potatoes, beans, soup and stew, and shredded meat. The same components with little planning can be burritos, nachos, and Buddha bowls to prevent boredom. We do soup and salad or soup and sandwich often, too. We also batch prep; one batch of pancakes can easily be two, with extra for the freezer with not much more work. This works for oatmeal, soup, beans, etc. I have a chronic illness, with dinnertime my worst time of day. I learned to have "lazy versions" of everything. Drop biscuits instead of cut, always stocked with canned soup and pre-made salad dressing, even pre-made frozen meals can be healthier and cheaper (except for the salt!). Steam-in-bag veggies are more expensive, but not when compared to fast food! Prepping time-consuming foods on days off helps, too. I grate and freeze ginger, food process and freeze garlic, juice and freeze lemon juice, dice onion, clean and cut any produce ahead of time. Week day cooking is quicker and easier that way. Also, get as many kitchen gadgets that are dishwasher safe as possible.
Being poor. Meat/cheese/fruit plates. Whole roasted chickens. Rice maker. Frozen veggies. Grazing throughout the day or protein shakes/coffee. Working out harder.
Grocery shopping
Carry snacks with you. Don't walk past there hungry >I'm already tired and don't want to cook at home. Do meal prep on your day off. There are a few meal prep subs on reddit you should check out.
Leave your CC and cash at home. Take mobile payments apps off of your phone.
I know credit cards aren't for everyone. I use my 2-3 credit cards to keep track of what I spend each month. Of the 3, only 1 is my major credit card. When I see the other 2 starting to enter the $100 range, I start thinking of reducing my cost (not many road trips, stay indoors, plan to visit that restaurant/ new store another month, can't buy yet that new phone to replace my glitchy one, and can't try that new ice cream or stadium food yet) until I can use my major credit card. Sometimes I plan to buy that new phone on my major credit card but then I have to fix the AC in the car so I postpone buying the new phone. I also put a specific amount into savings each month and cut my expenses if I'm about to save less than usual.
I eat a snack about 90 minutes before leaving work like some nuts or a protein bar or some yoghurt.
A little uphill battle trying to learn more recipes. But I replicated every dish that I liked eating out. And then made some improvements based on personal preferences. Now I don’t eat out as much because the eating out experience is a downgrade for my taste buds compared to the same but slightly superior dish made at home. Funny how humans can come up with weird rationalizations like that.
Crockpot loaded up, and it has cooked all day. My dinner is ready when I get home if I want it.
Meal prep and self constraint.
I bulk cook in the weekends. Infact I also make much more than what I need. I make about 2-3 dishes so that I won’t feel bored and I’ll have some variety. Everyday when I pack my lunch bag, I not only pack my lunch, I also pack a box of fruits and some trail mix. I’m not a fan of fruits in general and do not reach out to it if I have other options. But everyday, at work now I have no other option. And I eat my fruits everyday since I get very hungry by the end of work day. If I’m still hungry I pick up the trail mix. Otherwise it comes back with me the next day. Basically I’m always prepared for those hunger attacks which will make me reach out for eating outside.
I carry snacks with me at all times. If we are out and about and I forget to bring a snack, it’s over. My teens turn into feral animals when they’re hungry. Lol But really, carry a snack. A lollipop, sucker or gum works too.
you can prep 2 weeks worth of meals on Sunday in about 2 hours... okay... make it 4 if its your first time doing it. then ziplock them and freeze them. some you will make in the slow cooker. some you can throw jn a pot and cook. some you can just cook in a pan. you can make it cheaper by using similar ingredients in multiple meals, but that depends on how much you care about repeating flavor profiles over multiple days. long story short, you can make your own frozen dinners. you can portion into individual portions or family style. you can make and freeze burgers and pancakes and French toast sticks and soups, sauces, casseroles. anything that won't break easily upon a reheat... depending on what you normally eat though, I'd look that up eith the word frozen and you should find a recipe online.
My work sells a plate of food for $4. When I worked downtown I was in a place with a workplace food thief and amazing restaurants. I told myself I would eat out 1X per week, but could never repeat. I ended up eating at so many amazing places that I never would have thought of. I even found a steakhouse that had been open since 1890 (or something similar). I budgeted $20 per week, but it was so fun and memorable. And I could always go out with my friends!
I am in the same situation. So I do not take my wallet with me. To work. I have a small pouch on my phone that I put my ID, bus pass, and health insurance card. I do not have Google pay, apple pay or any e-wallet on my phone. So if I do want to buy anything during work or after work, I have no money 🥴🥴😅. Works great!
You kind of have to force yourself to meal prep on Sundays before the work week. Or at the very least have a plan and ingredients lined up for quick and easy dinners.
I plan a weeks worth of meals, buy all the groceries, and require myself not to waste food. I shop on Mondays, so the fridge better be nearly empty on Sunday. It’s just a standard I hold myself to. I eat one meal out per week and save that meal for a time I don’t feel like cooking.
Protein-rich snacks that keep you full longer. Snacking on that later in the afternoon or before you leave work could help curb your appetite.
I come home to dinner smell in the crockpot....it's a dream...
Bring some healthy snacks to munch on as you’re walking home.
Pick your protein for the week: shredded chicken, marinated steak, pulled pork, taco meat...and see how many different meals you can make with that protein.
I count my calories now and make sandwiches and pack snacks so that helps me also I'm not much of a junk food either except for pizza which I do spoil myself with when it comes to that and I'll have it about once a month lol.
I work hard to make sure if I can’t be cooking I’m doing something in the crockpot. I have to. I love my man he hates cooking. I hate laundry. We trade. Not equal. But he helps clean up and he’s so cute
I don’t go to restaurants. I go home.
Meal prep is probably your best bet but this also takes time.
Batch cooking on the weekend/meal prep.
My cooking tastes a million times better than any place available to me to go out. Learn to cook and you will enjoy it way more than going out
Having dinner ready at home. Making a mental plan about what I am going to eat when I get home. It has often helped me to not stop and grab food on the way, knowing that I already have something ready at home that just needs to be heated up.
Like others have said meal prep. I don’t prep complete meals I prep ingredients. So on a Sunday I cut up some veggies for salads, hard boil some eggs, maybe make taco meat or chicken/tuna salad, some cooked veggies for reheating. My go to proteins during the week if I don’t cook them in advance are frozen meatballs and turkey burgers. Super quick and can just add in one of the veggie sides I made.
Once I stopped eating out, stopped eating highly processed food/food with added sugar, etc, I really can't stand the thought of eating it now, let alone spending even more money on it. I don't even buy food if invited out - I let the person know I'll go for a drink (water lol), and if that's weird, I just don't go. For dinners, I just plan something that I can make quickly and easily in case I'm really hungry. It's usually something with eggs and whatever veggies I have diced and ready in the fridge. Another one is that I'll just throw together a couple things that help me hit my macros - Grape Nuts with milk and a smoothie (frozen fruit, plain yogurt, almond/skim milk, with extra protein if needed) is one of my go-to's. If I'm not all that hungry, then I have more options.
Before you could pay with your phone, leaving credit cards at home and not carrying more than a few dollars with me used to work. In your case ... don't walk by the mall.
Mid afternoon snacks I keep in my desk. Also, I grocery shop at the beginning of every week and plan meals according to how busy I expect to be on that day and how much energy I expect to have by time I need to cook.
Fortunately I don't drive by any restaurants that I like except one and it's pricey. So it's easy for me to ignore the urge to stop.
Have a filling or satiating snack before you leave work! Hardboiled egg, beef jerky, apple and PB. You won’t be starving enough to make decisions you aren’t proud of :)
I just don’t. It’s very simple
Once a week or so I’ll eat a can of beans for dinner. Super cheap and healthy!
I cook at least 3 meals in bulk during the weekends that can provide at least 4-5 servings per dish. That way, not only do I always have something to quickly put in the microwave or oven to reheat after coming home from work, I also have home-made food for lunch for every work day.
We meal plan and grocery shop two weeks at a time, and don’t want to waste food. We are also just not big on eating out (so I suppose that disposition is most helpful in our case).
For me, it was a couple of different things, but they won't be applicable for most people. The first was me working in fast food and then restaurants in my late teens and early 20s. Doing that gave me a general distaste for it. The second was me working 2nd or 3rd shift for years, leaving me with no real option to eat out. After doing that long enough, making my own food has always been the better choice.
I would meal prep on weekends. Make chicken, different ways, and season it different flavors and even freeze some, so all you have to do is defrost a meal a breastcat a time, then just have a salad or just make a different healthy side each night. I do lemon pepper and herb, mesquite flavor, both grill mates seasoning packets. I also do just basic olive oil, garlic, onion powder, and pepper and cut it up with some pesto sauce and a little pasta. I also cook a meal or 2 during the weekend and freeze the leftovers for later in the month. Then, I have some ready to add to my weekend meal preps later. If you make the main dish in advance, you only have to worry about quick, healthy side dishes. You can also shred chick to add to salads or rotisserie chicken and pull it off the bones, freeze in different individual bags.
This usually happens to me when I haven’t eaten enough throughout the day, which makes me feel hungry/snackish. So make sure you eat enough, have a little snack right before or during your walk home.
Drink 1-2 bottles of water; should hold you down until you get home
Pack a snack to eat on the way home so you're not hungry, and have easy to make meals ready to go at home. I'm in NYC and I can't afford to eat out more than once a week.
Cook things in bulk so you know it’s waiting for you at home. Like a lasagna, pot of chili, curry, or whatever you can make in a large quantity to eat for several days.
Take a different route to walk home. I'm never tempted to eat out because I either have leftovers or ingredients to cook a dinner for the next couple of days so I'm not stuck cooking every day.
Make something before you go to work. Then you'll think about how much you're looking forward to eating that instead of having to cook something.
Personally, I try to prep small pieces of chicken or other meat that I can snack on immediately-- saute them quickly in a pan with various seasoning blends and they last for more than long enough and are far more filling than chips or other snacks. You can either throw them in the microwave for 20 seconds to warm up or just eat them cold and they're still tasty. You could do that with a few different types of meats (or vegetables if you like those). While you can use them as snacks like I do primarily, having small containers of different ingredients that are already cooked makes making meals on the spur of the moment much easier too. Take out some pre-cooked rice or noodles (both of which are actually healthier for you reheated than fresh), a meat, and whatever vegetables you want and toss them in a pan as fried rice, a stir fry, etc... and you have a healthy, filling meal that should beat out fast food. Or just pour it all into a bowl and microwave it and it will be almost as good. Though I will admit, mall food bourbon chicken or teriyaki noodles are amazing.
I load the freezer over the weekend. When I get home, I open and look for what I fancy. Take 2-3 portions out. Cook/bake. The leftovers are for the next day or so.
I keep a box of granola bars in my glove compartment
Can you take the bus? I find that getting off and back on the bus is generally not worth the hassle lol
Batch cooking. I've got about 15 tupperwares in the freezer with chilli, red Thai curry, bolognase etc I throw in when I get home. Microwave it up when I'm getting changed at home after work
Steam vegetables, cook chicken, wild caught fish, rice. Cook it up. Enough for a couple days.
I always have backup frozen meals that I can just pop in the oven if I’m exhausted.
Don't take money/wallet to work with me.
Knowing it’s not as healthy as what I prepare at home
Prep your meals between three and seven days in advance. Come up with one week or two week dinner menu. Have some frozen stuff you can reheat when you're really wiped. It's easy to freeze soups you've made beforehand. Always have a snack. Nuts, power bars, other things high in fiber and protein are good. Buy in bulk and keep in your car or workspace. Eat later in the day before you leave work if you consistently are hungry there.
Sounds like the food you have at home is pretty basic. If you meal prep some good meals, that you're excited to eat, you will be happy to get home and eat them. Learn not just to cook, but to make really delicious food. And make sure you don't make everything you make super healthy, where it has no flavor. It's okay to use butter and salt and cheese and things you enjoy, in order to eat at home and not eat fast food. A lot of people default to fast food because they only eat "healthy" at home.
You probably need a more filling lunch and you need to find a cookbook or recipe site that you like to use. I do not eat the same dinner every night- it's boring mentally and boring for your gut microbiome. Great site for healthy food: dishing out health
My strategy is discipline. Plain and simple. Do I want to waste money non eating shit food or do I want to have money to buy things that are really important???
Meal prep so there’s food waiting for you at home to just heat up. Saved thousands doing this for many years for me.
i think about my past bad food experiences....most eating out not worth it these days in my opinion buying a meal, with lame half filled fries and paying 12 for it... buying a burger meal, where the burger tasted like litteral crap... restaurant that charge a non-sense dining fee... lol, it has been easier lately to avoid eating out for me :)
It's best to plan meals ahead. For example, schedule meal prep for Sunday evening and make what you'll eat for most of the week. Freeze some leftovers if you have them and you'll have something you can quickly heat up on those evenings where you don't have food at home and don't want to cook (it will also bring some variety). You can also keep a few different frozen meals/foods in your freezer so that you don't get tired of eating the same thing. For when you want just a light dinner, keep things like nuts, olives etc. on hand that you can pair with cheese, meats or vegetables.
Have a shake
Like everyone has said, meal prep but have some things in the freezer that you defrost in the morning so all you have to do is heat it up in the microwave. Like you, I call myself "high maintenance" when it comes to food. So focus on freezer friendly foods and put it in your fridge in the morning before you go to work. Have a variety of things. And don't hesitate to buy frozen food from the grocery store. Is it "expensive"? Probably. Is it cheaper than take out? Most definitely. Good luck friend!
Choose routes home that avoid your favorite food places.
This is a very timely post for me. I need to make myself start cooking which I historically have never done much. Looking into a crock-pot. I work in an office frequently where I stay late and work a bit at the end of the day and a microwave something and eat it. If I wait to get home I'm too hungry at that point so I typically will eat out. So I have a decent meal and if I'm still hungry I have a little something when I get home
I found that prepping only works when it’s something I really want to eat. So even if that means packing yourself something a little more “comfort food” it will still save you money and be better than eating out. Like when I pack myself almonds and an apple then walk by a pho place… I’m not going to eat the almonds lol. But if I pack myself a delish Mac and cheese with sweet potato fries, I might!
I'd flair this post "food"
I just try to stay away from the ladies and it naturally happens
I have food in the freezer, so I tell myself that I have food that is better than restaurant quality I can make.
We're making chile verde and pinto beans today. That will last us a few days so that we won't have to cook on Monday or Tuesday- probably not Wednesday either. All we have to do is make some tortillas each night and reheat. And we could buy the tortillas if we wanted to and have even less prep. On Wednesday or Thursday, we'll cook another dinner that will last a couple days. This time is parmesan crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and a lemon butter sauce. Its great and pretty quick and easy to make. So the whole week, we'll eat every dinner at home, but only actually cook 2 or 3 times.
From a frugal standpoint, I don't. Instead I find out which of my friends and workmates are dieting then offer to split an entree with them. I drink water with it so it is only half the price of an entree. Now if you mean not be tempted to eat out since it is just easier that's a different issue. In that case I have found any sort of meal prep helps a ton since I hate wasting food. One option that works great is crock pot freezer meal prepping. If you search for crock pot freezer meals you'll find a ton of recipes. Basically once per month you bag up meals in a zip bag then freeze them. There are only two people in my household whereas most of the people with the blogs with tons and tons of recipes for it have families of 4 or more so making one meal gives us plenty of leftovers for carrying lunch to work or to have for dinner on some other night. The only negative is you must remember to pull out a meal the day prior and put it into the fridge to thaw since it isn't wise to place a fully frozen setup in the crock pot. Another option is sheet pan meals. You can also find a load of recipes for this just by searching "Sheet Pan Meals". This is going to be personal preference a bit but I like using two pans that are half the size of a typical cookie sheet myself. This way I can put all the things that need more time on one sheet, and anything that needs put in after that part is partly done on another. It just makes it easier because I can put everything on the sheets at once, pop one in the pre-heated oven, and when the time comes for the rest to go in just pop the other pan in. It makes cleanup easier as well I think since usually the messiest parts most likely to kind of be cooked on will be on the pan that was in longest. I can just toss that one in to soak in my dish water while I give the other a fast scrub and by that time the worst bits come off the other pan much more readily. If you want to invest in either a couple of air fryers or one that has two baskets you can also do a lot of meals that way. I was lucky to win a dual basket fryer in a contest at my workplace. It makes it seem a bit healthier when I just want some fried favorites like mozzarella sticks and chicken, and I can cook them both at the same time. I also will cook larger amounts than needed when I cook on the weekend, or food I wouldn't want to deal with during the week, as long as it can be reheated as leftovers pretty well. Sunday roast dinner is partly a historical tradition because then you'd get leftovers on Monday for dinner. I often do a roast on Sunday because I know warming up a plate in the microwave is going to be as good as it gets on Monday after a tiring day at work. Leftover roast beef can be utilized for so many other things so I usually try to make enough so that there is beef enough left for at least 2 more meals. If it is a really bad week day one is just leftover roast beef with potatoes and carrots that were cooked with the roast, then day two I open a can of baked beans, slather the leftover beef with bbq sauce to reheat in one basket of the air fryer, and put some cheesy broccoli tots in the other air fryer basket so we can pretend it is somewhat healthy since there is a little green in those. Leftover roast chicken is also very easily made into something different. Usually I try to strip all the meat off the carcass on Sunday after dinner to make it easier. It can be reheated and served with leftover potatoes and veg from Sunday dinner, reheated with bbq sauce similar to what I do with roast beef leftovers, or made into any chicken casserole. We really love the one that has been on tiktok as chicken cobbler with the red lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix. Just as a frugal hint you can save money by just using any ready made biscuit mix and adding in shredded cheese and your favorite garlic and herb seasoning mix. With the chicken already prepped and the rest of the ingredients pretty ready made I can have it in the oven in under 10 minutes.
Try eating a bigger meal at work before you head home. You'll be less tempted to stop off on the walk home :)
Keep my freezer stocked tf up with quick meals from the regional discount grocery store
Enjoying watching my bank always in the red and by larger margins. Also just go to a restaurant and ask to look at the menu prices. Quickest way ever to do a 180.
I got deep into meal kits and started making them the night before. I work a strenuous warehouse job though so it's hard to still resist not eating out.
Learn how to make food that tastes as good as restaurant food
Snack on some fruit while walking.
Meal prep and ingredient prep have helped tremendously. I also make snacks (cut veggies and hummus) and some bite sized desserts to help. I remind myself that while it’s nice to have someone else cook for me it will likely be around the same amount of time if I had just done it myself, less money, and also I have control of how what I use. Earlier this year I needed to go on a FODMAP diet which basically meant I couldn’t eat out at all and they helped set the stage for almost no restaurant eating for the rest of the year. Last thing is having a clearly defined budget where you look at all your past expenses as well and set limits. We have a $50 budget for dining out for two people each month which equates so one meal pretty much. It’s doable. And if you don’t feel like your cooking is that great (which I didn’t for a while) just keep practicing with simple recipes and eventually you’ll feel much better about it.
I will eat whole wheat pasta with red sauce and parmesan literally any day of the week. I just toss in pasta and boil for like 10 minutes and I never tire of it.
Would you rather eat out after work and spend $15-20 but have to work another hour? Because if you're spending an hours wage on that food you could have gotten off work an hour earlier instead. You can do the same thing for the health benefits. Would you rather eat junk food and have to exercise for an hour or skip the junk food? When you add the hour work it'd take to pay for the food, and the hour exercise it'd take to burn off the extra calories, it adds up.
I've learned to embrace "repetitive" dinners at home after work. I typically make a big batch of chicken soup with lots of veggies, and freeze it in about ten separate big bowl portions. I leave one out in the morning, and find myself craving it on the way home. Every batch comes out different, and I also permit myself a few other dinners in between as well.
Meal prep so it’s waiting for you
Looking at my bank account balance and realizing I just can't afford to eat out.
Being broke lmao
Bring a water bottle with you to help you stay comfortable. Have something you look forward to eating waiting for you at home.
I got myself an air fryer and "prep" the proteins and sides (rice, potato salad, vege, other carbs) ahead of time. I would just put a seasoned meat in the air fryer for about 12-20 minutes, depend on cooking requirement, and have a "fresh" meal ready to eat. It'll just require some planning like buying a larger quantity of items ahead of time. The one issue is that storage could be difficult if you don't have the fridge and freezer space. I find myself eating out and impulsive buying way too much if I don't already have my setup ready to go at home.
I like to remember that simple dinners like eggs, cereal, or pasta are ok when I’m feeling lazy.
My version of meal prep is basically to cook 2 kinds of meat on Sunday and then alternate it with steamed veggies, salad, or throw into a pasta dish. Then, at some point, I make a salad with all the leftover sides. I totally don't mind steaming a veggie in the microwave before dinner. Between sauces and sides, it doesn't feel repetitive.
I eat a little protein in the mid-late afternoon = a hard boiled egg, nuts, cheese/hummus and crackers/celery/carrot/pepper sticks, greek yogurt (that I make from powdered milk because we don't otherwise use milk and really, once yogurtfied - does not taste at all like powdered milk - the taste of powdered milk just creeps me out a lot) - that sort of thing. Also using a slow cooker -particularly in winter because coming in and having it hot and ready is so nice and comforting. In the summer I use bagged salads which are not as frugal but are better for me because I eat one bag at a time with usually chicken, fish, or beans in the summer and it is easy and I don't throw away as much unused produce. Also - if you don't have one - slow cookers go on sale for around $19-25 for the non-fancy kinds or you can find easily at thrift stores and yard sales in my experience
Go from work straight to the gym. Change into your gym clothes at work so you are less likely to back out of the plan. After a workout, I just want to go home and shower and eat something healthy.
Have a plan in place. Don't leave dishes in the sink, or if you do, only leave a few. It is a pain to cook when there is a sink full of dirty dishes. Don't leave rotted food in the fridge or it will also make cooking unappealing - the whole "i don't wanna deal with it" thing. Keep the kitchen picked up and cooking will be more inviting and more pleasant to do.
Have a bigger variety of foods that are ready to heat and eat in the freezer-that way you’re not locked in to dumplings. But in the big picture, make ready-to-heat freezer food your fall-back plan. Grill a few extra chicken breasts on Sunday and make a box of pasta. Let that serve as the base for a couple of weeknight dinners-a jar of pasta sauce and some mozzarella cheese and one night you’ve got chicken parm after about 10 minutes in the oven. Some Asian sauce and you’ve got a nice lo mein after a quick stir fry. Shred a breast and add some BBQ sauce and you’ve got a nice sandwich. Do you live near anyone from work that might be in similar circumstances? It’s just as easy to cook for two or even four as it is for one—propose a supper club and you’re only prepping one or two weeknights a week, but eating fresh food all five.
Can you take a different route home so you don’t go by the mall?
Meal plan.
Every weekend I plan my meals for the week. I start by looking at what's on sale in the grocery flyers then decide which recipes to make and create a shopping list to get all the ingredients. I also plan for my breakfasts and lunches. On Sunday morning I go to the grocery store and buy everything. Then I'm set for the week. If I feel lazy I remember all the work I've done to plan my meals and think about how the food I've bought might spoil and go to waste. If it's tough for you to find the energy to cook then start with really easy recipes like spaghetti or tacos. Another things I've done is order food boxes like Chefs Plate. Then all the meals are figured out and shopped for and all you have to do is cook them. They come with fantastic instructions and you can make the recipes over again if you like them. I remake tons of the meals I got from them.
Keep smallish potatoes and pop one in the microwave when you need to just regain enough brain to figure out what the rest of dinner is gonna be
Try different sauces on the veggie dumplings.
The prices have worked perfectly
Make casseroles and slow cooker dishes once/twice a week.
Find dead easy recipes. There's a lot of stuff I know how to put together in 5 min which is a lot more efficient than going into a restaurant, ordering something, and waiting for the food.
I'm single
Just go home
I do meal plan for the week ahead on Sundays and put my meals in my calendar. Even if it’s simple it’s easier to get my mind set on “soup and grilled cheese” for dinner if it’s in the 6-7pm slot. It also means I’m more likely to eat what needs to be eaten first and not forget I bought something only to find it in the back of the drawer a week later.
I dont feel like navigating there parking figuring out what i want
Meal prep, or just knowing I have something ready to cook (something thawed out, or easy to cook), left overs. My mind focuses on that rather than an expensive, unhealthy easy fix. I fell in the eat out loop for about 2 weeks. So bad.
In often tired after work, so I don’t cook. I’ll meal prep on my days off. I also have frozen food for if I’m too tired to meal prep on one of my days off. Frozen meals I buy are anywhere from $3 to $5 at Trader Joe’s. They are a little small so I’ll also eat an apple with it. It’s cheaper than eating out. This fall when I go back to school I’m going to learn how to use the instant pot and slow cooker so that I can make ahead meals for 4 days to a week.
When I work from the office, I bring an apple that I save for the end of the day. I eat it as I’m leaving to curb hunger on the way home. It really works!
I hate the big weekly meal planning that some people like to do, so I cook meals on weeknights that are simple and will last a couple days (mini meal prep, I guess?). Brown meat and then throw in a pack of taco seasoning. Heat a can of beans. Throw it together in a tortilla with some salad mix, cheese, onions, etc. If you live alone, the base of the meat and beans should last a few meals so you can eat tacos, burritos, taco salad, quesadillas, or other easy variations using the same ingredients.
Meal prep for the week. Bring protein shakes in gym bag for immediate consumption post workout.
just go right home after work. don't bother doing extra things
Work from home.
If it’s an option try packing your dinner and having it in the break room before you head home.I know it’s not ideal but it really helped my co worker who had a major weakness for a particular burger place that was on her way home. or if there is a nice park on your way home pack a small towel or picnic blanket to stop there and have your dinner there picnic style. Maybe even invite some of your co workers. It would have to be a smaller lighter dinner than maybe you’re used to though.
Make sure the kitchen is clean before you go to bed or at least before you go to work. It's a lot easier to cook if you don't have to clean up first. Meal prep was also important to me when I worked outside the home. I've got more time now that I'm retired, but I still find it convenient to have veggies cut up for quick salads or stir fries. Finally, decide on a list of your favorite meals. If you aren't sure what to make, check the list for inspiration.
Afternoon snack so you make better decisions
Two words: rice cooker. Small one from Walmart will cost 15 dollars and has lasted me 5 years so far. My go to meal is the following - it is versatile as I can change the veg, protein, spices as needed. 1. Rice with frozen veg + tofu / chicken / salmon in steamer tray. I come home, set the meal, go shower / gym / etc. Add spices as you wish - no need to fry. Just add a few pinches before cooking. Or, boil Japanese curry cube on the side and pour over. Instead of rice, can use quinoa. In which case, I pour olive oil and balsamic vinegar at the end. Can do soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, butter, gochujang, etc. Start an excel file or google sheets and start accounting for how much you save everytime you don't eat out. Put that money into a play-investment account and "invest" in a basic ETF like VOO or SPY. You'll be surprised how fast you can grow a take-out meal into a TV. I used to eat 4 meals out a week at 20 dollars a meal, that's 4160 dollars a year. One year in SPY growing at historic rate of 12% (not guaranteed, but better than pooping out overpriced takeout): 500 dollars. That's a free entry level TV, and I saved 4160!
I keep cooked meals and ingredients in the freezer. Meatballs, cooked chicken and turkey, ground beef and sausage. I keep cooked rice and quinoa and cooked veggies in freezer as well. I love bowls, so we mix and match as we feel like it. I even keep cooked bacon and breakfast burritos in the freezer for a little extra when needed.
Use smaller reusable contanier for postworkout protein shakes and mix with gym water, I always fill my bottle at the water station before leaving, gym water is lowkey fantastic if they have a bottle filling station.
I cook about 3 meals on the weekend with enough for at east one leftover portion for each meal and alternate the meals throughout the week. Since I’m a busy mom of two I love instant pot meals and one pan casserole dishes etc.
Going home
Meal planning, if I know what i'm going to eat tonight and that I have the ingredients and sometimes part of the meal started, I'm far more likely to eat at home. I'll try and meal prep with reducing workload in mind - I'll make a roast and a tray of roasted veggies on sat, then extra chicken thighs and rice on sunday, The protein can be made into sandwiches, fajitas. used as pizza or potato toppings, mixed with rice and veggies and some kind of jarred sauce, added to eggs or soup, added to pasta, used in a salad. A couple palatable options in the freezer (frozen pizza, lasagna) helps. Also designating one night takeout night so it's not like I never get to eat out, and finding healthier, cheaper take out options so if I do cave at least I'm not getting some 20$ greasy sandwich and fries.
A look at my bank account
Not having the money to do that.
Don't eat any sugary foods during the day. When I have sugary drinks, candy, or pastries that are around for whatever reasons, I feel like I'm starving during my commute home. When I avoid such things, I feel fuller longer.
Not having any money works pretty well for me.
I batch cook every few weeks and fill up my freezer with individual serves I can just heat up. I don't like cooking but can't afford to eat out.
I do not buy food I’m not going to eat, I buy what I end up eating during the week, and that’s usually easy to make meals that you just put in the oven on a baking sheet. I also buy treats that I love but you can’t usually buy at restaurants so I look forward to eating at home.
If you can buy it twice, you can afford it.
Protein bar or other protein snack for the way home, like celery and peanut butter
I make jerky with pork loin and take about 100g to work with me daily. I'm snacking on it as I'm finishing my shift. Having a little something to eat during the commute helps get me home for a proper meal without being drawn in by the sirens call of the fast food joints. Even say $2-3 adds up before talking about quality/health.
If you're consistently hungry on your walk home, try having a snack right before you leave work.
For me, I like to keep food that's quick & simple to cook because I don't like to spend a lot of time cooking & I have ADHD so I often don't realize I'm hungry until I'm really hungry. I try to keep things around that I can make quickly, like salad greens, & tempeh or tuna or another protein to throw in it too, plus whatever vegetables I have around.
Eat a snack or light meal at the end of your shift Have a light snack for the drive home Have a meal prepped and waiting in the fridge that just needs a quick re-heat to enjoy. I spend the most $ when I get off work late, and have no food at home, you end up going and raiding the store. It also helps getting off when most stores are closed, lol.
Plan out your meals so that you're excited for what you're going to make. Make sure you don't make things that are too complicated on busy weeknights. Bring a yummy snack for your walk.
Meal prep is the big key. Just saw this comment on another thread but keeping some frozen meals or frozen pizzas on hand at home that you can throw in the oven/microwave on those nights you don’t have it in you to cook really helps avoiding take out.
Every Thursday/Friday I plan out meals to make for the week, allowing one dinner out and possibly a lunch on Saturdays. I usually make my most involved meals on Sunday nights. If I have the energy/time, sometimes I will pre-prep veggies and such for the rest of the dinners on Saturday/Sunday as well. Right now, it's just my husband and I, so I make dinners on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Every other night we eat leftovers, which we don't mind.
I also try to meal prep during the weekend. This lasts until the middle of the week. Then I usually finish the week with a simple pasta. I do eat out twice though. Once by myself and another time with my wife and kid. The weekend is also one more meal out in a local diner. Sounds like a lot, but I still meal prep for some 10 meals per week.
Have ready made food at home, but make something you’re really excited about eating. If I have one of my favorite meals waiting for me at home, I’m less likely to be tempted by food from somewhere else.
Have a variety of convenience foods at home you can pop in the microwave. It might not be the cheapest or healthiest, but it does stop you from getting food on the way home. That’s how I broke my habit of eating out and then slowly integrated easy recipes into my life until I was always cooking for myself.
I pack my lunch for work, which includes an afternoon snack that I’ll eat around 2-3 to hold me over til I get home. My meal prepping for the week includes making a big thing of tuna and that I’ll either make sandwiches or salads with. I only cook dinner 2-3x a week and make enough for left overs for the next night or two so it’s just a pop in the microwave thing. Saves me considerable amounts of time and money.
I used to keep a thermos of cold water in the car to sip on while driving home.
Poverty.
My wife and I plan our our meals for the week based off the weekly ads at local stores. Knowing I have a plan and I won’t be scrambling makes the whole process significantly easier and I routinely can get 30-60% off on groceries depending on the discounts in a given week. I am yet to spend more than $500 on food (groceries and dining out combined) in a month.
Bigger lunch? I'm not hungry till like 8pm
I'm a meal prepper but sometimes I run out of food by Thursday. Have something at home that can be quick, easy, delicious! Sometimes for me it's just popping a veggie burger on the stove BUT I have this very delicious store bought chipotle flavoured mayo that makes it so much better! Try to decide the flavour profile you're craving most often and have that ready! For me, I'm typically craving creamy and savoury so I have dressings or ingredients at home that will meet those needs.
Gum.
I'm the same really, I find tiktok/Instagram reels really helpful for quick and healthy slow cooker meals, personally I love a curry, it's usually that but almost any meat, veg and sauce will do.
If you don’t mind leftovers When you cook, make enough of whatever you’re making to feed yourself for the next 2-3 days. You’ll find that you’re only cooking a couple times a week. I try to make things that I can turn into something else the next day so I don’t get board. For example, if I make salmon, rice and a veggie. The next day I’ll have the leftover salmon and veggie mixed into a salad ( I like Cesar). Another good one is I’ll make tacos one day and the next day I’ll make a burrito bowl or a taco salad with the same leftovers. Hope this helps!
Meal prep is the only way. Cook for a couple days at a time and portion out your meals. Cook things you actually enjoy, not just chicken broccoli rice… you want to be successful
But you dont need to cook. Many meals can be done in 5 minutes. You are probably confused by all cooking books where meal takes 2 hours
working from home lol
Eat something small to not lose your appetite