Cook or Eat Out – What to do!?
Have you ever wondered: should I cook or eat out tonight?
There cannot be a theory on which choice to make every time because there are always at least two uncontrollable variables… how many or which factors you are considering in your decision, and how you value those factors.
What factors do you consider when trying to make your decision?
Health
Well, there are relatively healthy fast food options right? Take Chick-Fil-A’s salad with light Italian dressing for example (a lot of sodium – as with any fast food).
There is no question that cooking some fresh food from the grocery store is the healthier option.
So to cook or eat out… Cook gets 1 point!
Price
This one is actually tough. Cooking can take this one, IFF (if and only if) you cook in bulk and eat the leftovers. No, you don’t have to cook for the whole week, just enough to make 3 meals out of one cooking session.
The reason that price is even a question here is because you have to take in account the energy it takes to cook. That is, you have use some kind of heat, gas or electric, as well as water to wash your pots, pans, and dishes when you’re done.
So if you cook one time for 4 meals, then you’re saving on energy and water – which in turn make the cost per meal less than eating out.
I’ve done a lot of grocery shopping, and I can tell you that for $16 you can make some delicious chicken and veggies that will last 4 distinct meals – which gives an average of $4 a meal.
On the other hand, you can get a Chick-Fil-A grilled chicken sandwich for $4, which is kind of healthy 🙂 (I love Chick-Fil-A, can you tell?)
To get a decent dinner at any restaurant is going to run you at least $10 after tax and tip, therefore, if price is your only concern when choosing to cook or eat out, you should definitely stay home and cook.
Looks like Cook is winning the battle, with 2 points!
Time
Again, a tough battle. When you say “eat out”, are you talking about a sit down restaurant, or fast food? Clearly fast food will cost you much less time than a sit down.
Comparing cooking to a sit down – in my opinion, it takes about the same amount of time, if not, cooking takes longer!
My justification is that with cooking, you have to buy, prepare, cook, eat, and clean up after yourself. At a sit down restaurant, all you have to do is eat (but obviously it takes some time for your food to get cooked and delivered).
So if time is your concern, don’t cook, eat out!
The score is 2 to 1, cooking is in the lead!
General Enjoyability
Would you rather slave over a hot stove or have someone serve you your food? I’m pretty sure it’s as simple as that, if you disagree, please comment.
We are tied, 2 – 2
If you value your time less than I do, or if you really care about the price difference between cooking or eating out, then you might be able to make a clear choice. Or perhaps you’re only looking at one of those factors — in that case your choice is much easier to make.
But as you can see, there is no definitive answer or theory.. it really depends on what you’re taking into account.
(If you think there are more or different factors, please comment!)
Coming soon: Cook or Eat Out – A ‘price only’ comparison.