First it was the new year. Now it’s the looming arrival of a spring vacation to warmer weather. I’m surrounded by people who are making, breaking and remaking resolutions about fitness and eating. For most of them, fitness isn’t about feeling better or being healthier, but rather about weight.
I’m surrounded by information about food and fitness. I’ve subscribed to Self and Shape since I owned my Pilates and yoga studio several years ago. I read Cook’s Illustrated and Cooking Light. And I fundamentally believe that there is no such thing as forbidden food (assuming that you don’t have an allergy or intolerance). Do you want fries? Ice cream? Oreos? Eat them. Sometimes.
Healthful eating isn’t lazy eating. You’re obviously going to get better results eating at home than eating out. Sure, it’s a lot easier to hop in the car and hit the drive-thru for a lunchtime burger and fries than it is to make your own lunch…. Or is it?
Last week I did a little experiment. For two days, I ate out. Two days were spent at home, making my own lunch. (The fifth day was a client lunch meeting and didn’t fit my usual mold.) Compare the results.
Note: the recommended daily allowance for calories, fat and saturated fat is 2000/70g/20g.
Day 1: In-N-Out drive-thru.
Commute and wait time: 28 minutes.
Calories, fat and saturated fat consumed (hamburger, fries, iced tea): 790/37g/10g (40%/53%/50% daily allowance)
Day 2: Quinoa salad
I had leftover quinoa from dinner and tossed it with a homemade vinaigrette and random veggies that I had in the kitchen — tomatoes, carrots, scallions, bell pepper and feta.
Total prep time: 17 minutes.
Calories, fat and saturated fat consumed: 503/14.5g/3.5g (25%/21%/18% daily allowance)
Day 3: Roast beef drive-thru
Commute and wait time: 22 minutes.
Calories, fat and saturated fat consumed (roast beef and cheese, curly fries, iced tea): 840/41g/9g (42%/58%/45% daily allowance)
Day 4: Homemade vegetarian chili with 1/4 cup shredded lowfat Mexi-blend cheese
Total prep time: 15 minutes in the morning. 2.5 hours of unattended simmer time.
Calories, fat and saturated fat consumed: 287/9g/?? (14%/12%/?? daily allowance)
I expected that eating out was less healthy, but I didn’t realize that it was actually taking more time out of my day. It looks like it’s time to start planning ahead and making the most of my leftovers so I don’t fall into the trap of lazy eating.