The Danger of Eating Out

Yes, there are some positives to eating meals at a restaurant. It puts the duty of cooking and cleaning on someone other than yourself, the food is typically tastier than food cooked at home, and it can be a great night out socializing with friends or family.

However, with the positives there are also negatives. For starters, it is much more expensive to eat out  than to buy food from a store and prepare it at home. It can also take more time to drive to the location, wait for a table, wait for the food, eat the food, and then drive back home as compared to taking about an hour to cook your own food, eat it, and then clean the dishes. However, neither of these are as bad as the impact that eating these large and salty meals can have on our bodies. I am talking about weight gain.

An Overweight Problem

Many Americans have been packing on the pounds  as they choose restaurants over home cooking. Sadly. I have been experiencing this problem lately as well. Due to this food blog and my hectic life, I usually find myself eating out more than at home. While I do find time to go to my gym three times a week (thankfully it’s open 24/7 because I usually get off work at 10 P.M.), I still see the fat ever so slightly increasing.

The Cause

I believe I understand the reason why, but the solution is not as easy. During my time spent on campus at the University of Florida my only transportation was my legs and my bicycle. The many miles I biked across town everyday no doubt burned hundreds of calories, which is why I saw myself becoming thinner. I was also eating healthier too as my meals usually included an entire can of vegetables. With my bike being left in Gainesville, I am exercising far less than I was on campus. Additionally, my grandmother usually buys the groceries and cooks dinner. Her eating habits are on the unhealthy side so I have usually been doing the same. Combine the two and I’m surprised I’m not over two hundred pounds already

Many of you may also be dealing with this problem, and I understand the difficulty. What option does one have if they’re pressed for time and can’t afford to spend extra on healthy food? Well, thanks to my experience, I think there’s a way.

The Solution

For starters, walk to complete nearby errands. Not only will this increase that amount of calories burned in a day, but it will also save on gas money as well as mileage on the car. As the days pass, maybe increase that pace to a light jog and eventually to a run. If a $150 bicycle from Walmart  becomes affordable then buy it. It’ll get you to your destination faster. Purchasing a gym membership and riding their bicycle machines or treadmills can also work, but the cost can add up over the years.

In terms of the diet, well it’s pretty obvious to just watch the calorie intake. Calories come from three things: carbs, fat and protein. Eating foods low in calories can reduce your weight while filling up your belly. Healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive. The can of vegetables I ate at each meal costed less than $1. Some stores even sell them for about seventy cents. While I would love to recommend my readers to do this, I understand it’s a stretch because many people find vegetables to be unappetizing. Start off with half a can, and pair it with lean chicken or turkey. Cutting down on fat will cut down on calories.

Diet and exercise really are key to weight loss. Following this advice was how I was able to get the best body of my life in college. Hopefully I’m able to help some of you and improve your confidence and happiness. Post a comment below if you have any healthy living advice you’d like to share!