It's funny because my hubby and I hardly *ever* eat out and with all this moving and traveling...ugh. I feel like saying, "Get in maay bellaaay!" (Mike Myers moment here.)

I can't believe how expensive a lunch or dinner can be!! Our dinner the other night was over $50 and our lunch was over $12! Crazy...not to mention the fact that I think the Big Mac is a LOT smaller than it used to be when I was a kid.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 08:10 am:

There is nothing cheap about fast food these days, and I can't help but think I'm paying more money to put extra pounds on. LOL

As a rule, I virtually NEVER eat fast food. However, the past 2 years, and particular the past 5-6 months while renovation was on-going in the house, we've eaten more of it than I care to remember, and I've gained back most of the weight I lost last year due to stress.

My DD would say that's a good thing, because she told me last year my *booty was flat because I was too thin*. However, I know it's not *healthy* weight, due to the food.

When traveling though, it's often hard to find sit-down restaurants that are reasonably priced, with the exception of buffets, which I find everything tastes like salt.

By Jackie on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 08:39 am:

Even the salads at fast food are expensive. They are close to $5 around here.We are leaving for Florida on June 16th(Driving)and not looking forward to all those place. I am trying to pack some healthy stuff for us, expecially the kids.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 08:41 am:

I think fast food can get so expensive, too! The 3 of us can eat at Arby's for $18 (which ultimately isn't good anyway) and go the extra block to the Cracker Barrel and at least enjoy it for $20. We tend to opt for the sit down just for that reason.
Ditto on traveling - that's usually a pig-out time for us because it's just easier and more convenient. Natalie hates hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hotdogs though, so it's always chicken for her which gets old, too.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 02:23 pm:

Yes, I hate eating out all the time. We traveled with my BIL and his girlfriend last year. (BIL is 15 years younger than dh- basically still a kid!) While I brought a cooler full of cold cuts, chips, and potato salad, they preferred to eat out for every meal.

Other than the cost of eating out, you have to consider what it does to your health. I felt horrible by the end of the trip.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 06:25 pm:

Like my sister said to me once after we traveled the four hours to see her and her family "you eat at Wendy's once and that's it for you for the weekend". It's true. If we stop and eat fast food on our way down to her house, I have a stomach ache the rest of the weekend. Well, i do have Crohn's so that doesn't help.

If we *have* to eat out, I prefer to stop and get a sub sandwich. We have Jersey Mike's here and they have the BEST, freshest subs. WAAAY better than subway. But you can't usually see the sub places from the freeway like you can see the golden arches.

We are driving down to Hilton Head Island in 3 weeks. It's a 13 hour drive. I will definitely be packing some P B & J's and cold cuts for us, plus some fruit to snack on.

It does get very expensive even eating fast food all the time. It's ridiculous especially when you think about how bad it is for you.
Just like that commercial says "i'd like to order some thunder thighs and a badonk a donk butt" LOL

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 09:13 pm:

I agree Bellajoe about the subs! My favorite fast food place is actually Subway because I always get a cold cut sandwich of some kind and Sun Chips if necessary. I never feel bad eating it, either physically or mentally, and I don't feel like we're doing something terrible as a family either. It's expensive though as well.

We're going to the zoo tomorrow and will pack cold cut sandwiches and PB&J also.

By Kaye on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 10:19 pm:

My fav fast food is "chipotle". We get a burrito and split it, or get a salad. They have cheap, and yummy quesadillas for the kiddos!

By Rayelle on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 11:52 am:

This is the longest I've ever gone without fast food since I'm avoiding gluten. Since I feel better I have more energy so cooking at home doesn't seem as bad. I agree about fast food vs. a sit down place. The prices are comparable if not better sometimes, more enjoyable and better for you.

By Jelygu on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 04:03 pm:

I hate eating out period. I love to cook, and I find that Christopher eats so much better when he has a home cooked meal in front of him. But with my husband working nights, it isn't feasible to cook a big meal for just the two of us, so we eat out more than I would like. I just feel like everything tastes the same and I get so tired of eating it!