<p>Interesting article IMO. It basically says that BK’s target demographic- 18-30 year old males are eating much less BK because of the Recession and because of healthier eating habits (but McDonald’s is actually growing). </p>
<p>I would have thought that more people would eat out at fast food places because it’s cheaper, but now that I think about my own life- I used to eat McDonalds every day or every other day. However, I found that I was actually spending more by eating cheaper because I would get hungry much more quickly. Now whenever I grab take out, it is at Panera’s or Noodles and Company because even though I might pay a few bucks more, I can make a meal there last me most of the day rather than needing to eat an hour or two after McDonalds. Plus, my mom is dealing with high cholesterol which runs in my family and makes me very weary of eating too many fries.</p>
<p>So- question- has the recession changed you or your children’s eating habits? Or has the rise in healthy options and healthy alternatives in the last few years influenced you? </p>
<p>I pack my lunches (actually, my dear sweet wonderful husband packs my lunches) every day now for work unless I have a lunch meeting where I’ll be fed. Starbucks is long-gone. No sodas from the vending machines; I buy at home and bring them to work if I need caffeine. No more eating out except on Fridays with our friends, as we’ve been doing for years now.</p>
<p>Of course, DH’s (what-is-essentially-)severance pay runs out in June, and I’m in the construction industry, so we are about three ounces of grace away from being completely financially screwed. Drastic times call for drastic measures… The recession has changed a lot more than our eating habits.</p>
<p>We used to eat out at really nice restaurants quite frequently. Huge, expensive meals. Now I am not only OK with choosing an inexpensive neighborhood place, but I actually enjoy the chase (not spending…for sport). As my taxes go up, I am way less inclined to part with my money.</p>
<p>I love buying yummy food and creating a meal for a song. It didn’t used to be a focus. Even when the economy rebounds, I don’t think I will go back to that bubble mentality. I have entered an era of thrift, and I am quite enjoying it.</p>
<p>Not really. We eat at expensive restaurants for birthdays and anniversary. We eat at inexpensive ethnic restaurants or BBQ from time to time - once or twice a month I’d guess. I’ve always cooked from scratch and tried to make healthy choices while accomodating whatever crazy diet my dh is on currently and my kids’ likes and dislikes. </p>
<p>I might be drinking less coffee at Starbucks and more at home. (And I’m definitely not eating any of their snacks - helped by the fact that they’ve discontinued the tastiest ones!)</p>
<p>For the most part Ihave stopped buying expensive coffees at cafes and chains. The exception is a Starbucks on the Garden State Parkway. It’s a pit stop when going down the shore.(Not when coming home though.) I can’t end that tradition. But I learned how to make a wonderful iced coffee that I drink every day year round.</p>
<p>My biggest saving has come from rarely eating at the expensive restaurants I used to enjoy in NYC. But THAT is more because I’m not buying as many expensive theatre and concert subscriptions as I did.</p>
<p>One thing I’m trying really hard to do is to be less wasteful. Using leftovers better - meaning either using them for lunches or taking the leftover chicken and making another meal out of it. Telling the family that I’m not making a "new"meal for dinner when there are leftover choices in the refrigerator. Buying less impulse choices. Really thinking through what I buy at Costco or at least spliting what I buy there with my D in an apartment.</p>
<p>Stuff like that. We don’t eat out much. Maybe pizza or chinese take-out once a week. If we go “out” for dinner we choose modest places and try to use coupons and use Script cards we get at school.</p>
<p>No, the recession hasn’t changed our eating habits (but getting older has). We still eat out twice a week for the most part (unless there is a special event or celebration of some sort) but now we gravitate towards restaurants with healthier options. We try to limit our american chinese food and skip or dilute the soy sauce at Japanese restaurants because both are very high in sodium. We no longer eat pizza for a meal (this used to be a once a week take out item) since it is way too fattening. We don’t eat fried foods of any sort since my husband dosen’t want the fat or calories and it makes me ill. The whole food and nothing but the food (and healthful choices) is our new philophy. At Italian restaurants I may get the chicken marsala instead of the deep fried chicken parmesan. At Japanese we don’t get rolls made with mayo or anything fried. The recession didn’t do this though, turning 50 and middle age metabolism slump did. If the recession had hit our pocketbook though, I suppose I would just bargain shop a bit more conscientiously and perhaps not eat out on Friday evenings?</p>
<p>Now that H has been out of work for almost 2 years, we have happily settled into more frugal and healthier eating habits. We have seriously cut back our eating out. Luckily we have a few friends in the restaurant biz and we are treated a few times a month. I did not frequent fast food or chain restaurants before the recession, and I still don’t. I am a very good cook and have been more creative than I have been in the past. I never used to shop food sales, but I do now. My freezer is full of prepared meals, since I cook on the weekend for the rest of the week. I have not cut back on fresh fruit and vegetables, but I do shop for them at the farmers market more often.</p>
<p>Definitely. I only buy coffee in the morning. If I want a hot beverage while at work I make my own tea. I never stop and grab a coffee to drink while watching the kids play sports, something I always used to do. I forgo that glass (or second glass) of wine at meals out. I am more apt to buy and try store brands something I never did a year ago. And I am more apt to save leftovers to use later for lunch of a quick dinner.</p>
<p>Can’t say the recession has really changed our eating habits a lot. We tend to be ones who frequently use coupons, BOGO (buy one/get one) and had a blast with the deals during restaurant week (which extended to become restaurant month). My H has been travelling a lot in the last few months, so he has been eating out a lot (and we are still awaiting reimbursement for business expenses from November…). I cooked more when the kids were in during the holiday, but dont cook much for myself. I always bring lunch to work, as I tend to eat at my desk.</p>
<p>I had started streaming down our finances before the recession because we didn’t have a handle on our expenses and the money was flying out the door.(Where did the money go this month?)One hand never knew what the other did. We ended up having more money to save because we got rid of all the fluff like netflix,QVC, magazine subscriptions, etc. So by the time the recession hit we were in a better position and didn’t feel it quite much. H and I eat out o2 x a week. During week I brown bag it to work, make my own coffee, bring my own water, and cook every Sunday for some meals during the week.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve always been a frugal shopper when it comes to food. But like others, I’ve reigned in on dinning out. Health reasons have a lot to do with it, but honestly I find much restaurant food to be mediocre of late. Especially those ‘fantasy bargains’ that people think they are getting from places like Outback, Fridays and the like. Those bargain entrees are just re-worked middling stuff from their existing menus. I wonder if the “fine” restaurants have similarly reduced quality to cut costs?</p>
<p>By the way, I’ve been making my own lunch for about two years.</p>
<p>Not so much the recession…more changes have come as a result of aging and becoming more informed. Down to once a week eating out. Cook a lot more. Eat more fish, whole grains, veggies, fruits.
I do know some folks who have taken to doing their food shopping at Dollar Stores…or Walmart. I will NOT go there…hate processed food. I wood rather drain my retirement accounts than eat processed mac and cheese and the like. I see food as medicine (enjoyable medicine) and an investment in my health. It will be the last thing I cut (although eating out less has drastically reduced our overall budget).</p>
<p>Toneranger, Dollar Store fare is not necessarily inferior. I’ve discovered that the same 1lbs. bag of Sunflower seeds that are at the Dollar Store, sell for 3 bucks at the major supermarket chain. Same product. Not refined or processed other than being roasted. Healthy and cheaper. Guess where I buy my Sunflower seeds now?</p>
<p>Last year we successfully grew tomatoes in a small patch of sunshine in our back yard. This last weekend we discussed trimming our trees back even further so that we might include some herbs and possibly some green beans. Having fresh tomatoes has certainly changed my mind about the heat of summer!! What a joy.</p>
<p>Growing food too. I am the only vegetarian in my family. My dad especially is one of those people that thinks that organic and homegrown food is for those weird hippie people (you know, like me, his daughter… lol) and he is city folk who has never even thought about growing his own garden. A few years ago, I brought home a cherry tomato plant and he loved it. It tasted better than going to get store-bought ones and it gave him something to do after he couldn’t work due to an accident. A few weeks ago when I came home from college, he had a mini garden of potted plants growing in our front window of basil and other herbs and spices. I asked my mom what that was about and apparently she had sent him grocery shopping to get a few things and he realized how freaking expensive everything was and decided it was time to grow our own food. I will admit, it is hilarious to see my plumber father growing a delicate little plant.</p>
<p>LakeWashington…funny…I LOVE sunflower seeds and the last bag I bought was…at the DOLLAR STORE. I don’t avoid that store…I actually get some great bargains there when I stop in. But I can’t imagine doing most or ALL of my food shopping there…as one of my thrifty friends has done. I am very picky about foods…don’t like additives or processed stuff. I crush organic peanuts for peanut butter, buy fresh wild fish, organic veggies. I might starve it I had to subsist on DS food. Might be a good thing though… I would lose some weight I’m sure!</p>
<p>YES! In a number of ways. My daughter is allergic to nearly every food she was tested for, so our grocery bill is sky high as we buy so many “alternative” foods. But I’m fighting every way I can.</p>
<p>1.) We have virtually stopped eating dinner out. She MIGHT catch a cheap weekend meal with a friend. But we used to go out together 1-2 evenings a week and I have probably eaten out only twice in the past month. AND…I make my decision on price now (used to get whatever I want).</p>
<p>2.) I rarely eat much “fast food” (i.e. - McDonalds). I only eat (mid-price-range) food like Panera. But I have a new $3/meal rule…so I HAVE had fast food a bit lately (I shudder as I recall it). I’ve been steering to the $2.99 meals, or $1.99 sandwiches. I don’t eat french fries or things like that (at least not since I COULD eat them, and keep them off my hips and out of my arteries)…but I’m relying on them for my cheap calories now. I’ve noticed several places have really dropped their prices.</p>
<p>3.) I’ve tried to use every scrap of the fruits/veggies/bread at home before I toss them. Before…I’d just restock every Saturday and start fresh…tossing everything. SO wasteful. I’d fill have a trash bag. Now…I’ve turned back the clock to my younger days when WHAT we have for dinner is determined not by our tastes…but by what is available when we open the fridge.</p>
<p>4.) I still shop Whole Foods (in large part due to my D’s allergies)…but I actually stop at least 3 places now for the week…and stop again during the week once or twice. We don’t really eat meat, but have to keep the fruits fresh…I buy bananas (speaking of a GREAT value!) pretty much every other day because I’m a banana “snob” (must be perfect in texture and ripeness).</p>
<p>5.) I WISH I was able to garden (terrible back) - I’d LOVE fresh veggies. I had that most of my young life (and of course didn’t appreciate it then). I know my D would love it too…she’s just too lazy to do it.</p>
<p>6.) Brown bag - I still don’t brown bag lunch…but my daughter does, nearly every day. She makes a salad, adds some fruit…I love seeing her eat so healthy. But I fully intend to do this once she is off at college with her allergies so I can make whatever I want and eat it 4 meals in a row (blech). But I used to do that, and can again (to save money to pay for college).</p>