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Original poster

How often do you eat takeaways?

216 replies

Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:12

I work in a pretty stressful job and often have to work overtime. Lately, I've noticed that I'm eating 4-5 takeaways a week and sticking to simple foods like sandwiches when I'm at home.

While I haven't put on weight yet (I'm still in my mid-20s). Using "Just Eat" is so easy and convenient, but I'm becoming increasingly concerned about my health.

I came to this realisation when the takeaway driver said the staff at the shop were surprised when they found out I was a female in my 20's apparently they thought I'd be a bloke in my 40's.

Now I'm too ashamed to order from them again. 😭😂

How often do you eat takeaways & how do you make time to prepare your own food?

OP posts:
BettyBardMacDonald · 07/07/2024 00:50

Do you have time on Sunday to meal prep? Bake some chicken breasts and you have the basis for sandwiches, salad or warm meals.

You ordered from a carvery - what did you get? It couldn't be easier than to make a Sunday roast and have leftovers.

What do you enjoy eating?

Original poster
Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:49

Sakura7 · 07/07/2024 00:35

Make something like a bolognese or a curry at the weekend, which you'll get lots of portions from. Keep some in the fridge for the next 2-3 days and some in the freezer.

You could also get things like fish fillets and chicken breasts that you can just pop in the oven. You can get premade mash to heat in microwave and some frozen mixed veg that will only take a few minutes to cook on the hob.

A slow cooker could be a good idea as you can just throw all the ingredients in and let it do the rest over the next 4 hours.

My mother used a slow cooker often, made a lovely chicken casserole! I loved the smell it made throughout the kitchen.

OP posts:
Wedoourish · 07/07/2024 00:46

Very occasionally as a treat!

DuplicateUserName · 07/07/2024 00:45

Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:43

I need to learn to cook! I hate myself as my mother is a wonderful cook! She always wanted me to help her and I refused as I thought it was boring. Aweee I wish I could take time back.

Show quote history

No need to wish you could take time back

The internet is heaving with millions of very simple cooking tutorial videos.

Give some of those a try.

BettyBardMacDonald · 07/07/2024 00:45

Seldom, maybe a pizza 2-3x a year. We just don't enjoy it; I'd rather have cheese, crackers and an apple here, or microwave a jacket potato. Or eat popcorn for the evening meal.

And spend my money on things that are more fun.

Original poster
Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:43

MadameMassiveSalad · 07/07/2024 00:38

Not very often. I'm always a bit dissatisfied in them. In prefer to cook.

I need to learn to cook! I hate myself as my mother is a wonderful cook! She always wanted me to help her and I refused as I thought it was boring. Aweee I wish I could take time back.

OP posts:
RogueFemale · 07/07/2024 00:43

About once every few years.

Original poster
Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:41

Chickenuggetsticks · 07/07/2024 00:19

Few times a week….but, we are quite lucky, today we had shish taouk, tabbouleh and hummus. If you need to use it just look though the options and choose something reasonably healthy.

That does sound interesting! The other day I ordered a Sunday roast from a carvery!! It was delicious!
However I'm going to stop it all as I just can't control it.

OP posts:
QueenBitch666 · 07/07/2024 00:41

Once a year at the most. Overpriced and generally shite

ColinMyWifeBridgerton · 07/07/2024 00:40

Try hello fresh or something like that.

If you can afford it (which you probably can if you have 20 take aways a month!) you could buy one of those ninja cookers. I have one and it's amazing. It has a setting that does quick meals and you just throw everything in and it cooks it in about 15 mins.

Other quick meals options that take less than 15 mins to cook:
Steak and veg
Burgers
Fresh pasta with jar sauce (add anything else you want)
Stir fry
Omelette
Rice with soy sauce and veg
Salad with mozzarella, tomato, chicken, salmon, whatever you like

I have a fish and chips once every two months and that's it. Although to be fair if you're ordering through just eat you're probably eating restaurant type food rather than traditional take away? I eat out once or twice a month depending on finances.

Original poster
Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:38

Champagnesocialismo · 07/07/2024 00:17

Too often. I had to delete food delivery apps from my phone: I was disgusted at what I spent.

Also, makes you fat. Lees money and fatter? No.

Most definitely less money! It sucks as when I order I'm spending a minimum of £13 due to minimum order amount and delivery

OP posts:
MadameMassiveSalad · 07/07/2024 00:38

Not very often. I'm always a bit dissatisfied in them. In prefer to cook.

Sakura7 · 07/07/2024 00:35

Make something like a bolognese or a curry at the weekend, which you'll get lots of portions from. Keep some in the fridge for the next 2-3 days and some in the freezer.

You could also get things like fish fillets and chicken breasts that you can just pop in the oven. You can get premade mash to heat in microwave and some frozen mixed veg that will only take a few minutes to cook on the hob.

A slow cooker could be a good idea as you can just throw all the ingredients in and let it do the rest over the next 4 hours.

PickAChew · 07/07/2024 00:35

Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:26

Meal subscriptions sound good! Do they cater to one person though? I think if I ordered for 2 then much of the food would go to waste if it was fresh.

Show quote history

Cook meals have single portion options.

MonsteraMama · 07/07/2024 00:33

Yeah gonna be honest with you, I was 24 and 125lbs working a busy job and eating takeaways 4-5 times a week, not gaining weight and thinking it was fine. Then all of a sudden I was 29 and 225lbs. Get it under control now while you're still young and haven't gained anything yet, because getting back to 125lbs was a fuck load harder than getting up to 225 😆

I now do takeaway once a month or so. You can get meal kits like Hello Fresh which cater for 2 people and just get the ones that make leftovers and eat those for two days maybe?

Original poster
Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:32

loropianalover · 07/07/2024 00:17

Honestly 2-4 times a week 😔 Its definitely my vice.

The sheer price of it is the only thing that keeps me in check. I do try to pick up mostly rather than get it delivered.

M&S meals are a good easy dinner you can pop in microwave, I get 3 for €12 and pop garlic bread or something in oven to have with it.

Edited

That sounds nice! I do love M&S food! Especially their extremely chocolately milk chocolate round biscuits. 🤩

OP posts:
IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 07/07/2024 00:32

once a month, if that. We do also try and go out for an adult only lunch once a month too while the kids are at school and husband has the afternoon off.

Couldn't justify the cost of any extra

Original poster
Freyaaaa · 07/07/2024 00:29

Raveonette · 07/07/2024 00:24

Wow, that's a heart attack waiting to happen! About once a month, maybe twice in the odd month. The rest of the time we mostly cook from scratch but if I'm doing something like a bolognese or chilli I'll do loads extra for the freezer, and some nights we'll have something really simple like a jacket potato & beans, falafels & salad or some nooodles, ready-chopped veg and a shake of soy sauce.

I've been thinking this recently! I've fallen into the trap "I'm thin so I must be healthy". Hopefully I'm young enough for no real damage to have occured.

OP posts:
mrsfollowill · 07/07/2024 00:29

Twice a week here. We all work full time jobs and are lucky to have the money. I'm the only cook in the house and WFH - some days I'm working late and I'm not going to whip up a cook from scratch meal when I eventually finish. We probably have take out x 2 and 2 really easy ready meal type things (M&S or Charlie Bigham I can bang in the oven in 30 seconds then it sorts itself out) then 3 x 'proper' meals. I batch cook though so maybe every other week will drop a takeaway/ready meal for something like bolognese/chilli from the freezer.

Caffeineneedednow · 07/07/2024 00:29

Few times a year mostly for occasions such as birthdays or our anniversary

tootootdriver · 07/07/2024 00:28

Once or twice a month. It's all overpriced and mostly greasy.

TwattyMcFuckFace · 07/07/2024 00:28

Every Friday

Other than that, I've got loads of homemade curries/bolognese/shepherds pies etc in the freezer, so after work dinner is not too stressful.

DonnaChang · 07/07/2024 00:28

Used to be once or twice a week but it caught up with me in terms of weight and health.

Now maybe twice a month, max, and tend to go for something healthier (sushi, Thai, ramen).

Generally, takeaways tend to be disappointing and very overpriced, especially once you factor in Just Eat or Deliveroo costs.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 07/07/2024 00:28

Once a week if that. We haven’t had one this week, but the week before we had fish and chips. We do occasionally go to a pub/restaurant for dinner.

Jeannie88 · 07/07/2024 00:27

Maybe once a month, more like every other month and twice a month for DC. We're a bit older and know how to cook better food than takeaways. In our 20s takeaways weren't generally delivered so it was a case of queuing and taking home, not as easy as now. We have younger friends who get them several times a week because it's easier and they can, no judgement, well maybe a bit as cooking isn't that hard really and much cheaper. X