Fast Food Nation

Eating out vs. Eating at home

Eating out and eating at home, they both are good options but they compare and differ when it comes to the quality and variety of food and the atmosphere. Perhaps the most vital distinction between eating at home and eating out is the quality of the food and the variety of it.

Lucky there is no need to cut fast food from our restaurant options. Fast food can fit into a healthy lifestyle; the secret is knowing what to choose. Fast food is easy, and as long as you can resist the tactics they use to encourage you to overeat, such as meal deals, super-sizing and two for one offers, its advantages can help you eat better. You can practice portion control-choose small, regular, junior or single sizes. Order a kids meal. There is no age requirement. It is portion control at work.

Eating at home could be a little harder to maintain a portion control, because your kitchen will always be full of food. The secret is to avoid eating in front of the TV or while busy with other activities. Pay attention to what you are eating and fully enjoy the smell and taste of your foods. When cooking in large batches, freeze food that you will not serve right away. This way, you won't be tempted to finish eating the whole batch before the food goes bad. And you'll have ready-made food for another day. Freeze in single-meal-sized containers.

Dinning out can be inexpensive if you know the way to do it. You can buy discounted gift certificates at www.restaurant.com. Simply enter your zip code to see the participating restaurants in your area. You can check your local newspaper for restaurant flyers and coupons on Sundays. Rather than eating a whole meal, you and your partner can share an appetizer and eat for half the prize. Buying sweet drinks at a restaurant can be expensive so instead order water it is FREE!!! Have an early lunch and save with the early-bird special. Lastly, wait twenty minutes before ordering dessert after a meal. It takes that long for the brain to register that you're no longer hungry after eating. You might decide not to have that decadent dessert after all. You'll benefit by saving money and also calories, which is good for your health.

Meal planning and preparation is no easy chore. Throw in a budget, and you have a real challenge