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Looking for inexpensive, fast food places with healthy selections.
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Anonymous
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If you plan ahead and make food you can freeze easily, I think it's MUCH cheaper to cook vs eating out so much.
Why not make some soups, casseroles, stews? Do you have a crock pot? You could make & freeze meatballs. |
Anonymous
I am in the same situation as OP - just me and my young child now - and eating out actually turns out more economical. A lot of restuarant meals are big enough to bring home at least half for the next day. |
Anonymous
I disagree. If you take the time to plan out a shopping list, you can spend far less by doing what I suggested. Example: Meatballs. I just googled a random recipe, and used prices from peapod.com * 2 pounds ground turkey ($2.99/pound, so $6.00) * 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ($3-$4 for a 6 ounce package) * 3/4 cup soft fresh bread crumbs ($3 for 15 ounces) * 1 large egg, lightly beaten (less than $4 for a dozen) * 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning or blend of dried leaf oregano and basil (about $2) * 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes ($2-$3 for a container .5 or .75 ounces) * 1 teaspoon garlic powder ($3 for just over 3 ounces, or you can spend $7 for just over 12 ounces) * 1 teaspoon salt (about $1 for 26 ounces) * dash black pepper ($3 for 4 ounces) So all of that (and you would only use all of the ground turkey in this example) costs about $33. It makes 6-8 servings. Let's say it only serves 6. That's $5.50 per serving. You'll also be able to use the rest of the cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, and seasonings for other things. Unless you're sharing a happy meal, where else can you get a meal for 2 that is $5.50? Yes, I know I'm a loser for googling all of that information. I'm bored, and I considered it a challenge. |
Anonymous
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PP makes a good point, but there's nothing wrong with being on your own with a child and just not having the energy/time to actually cook anything once in a while.
Time and energy are gold to me. |
Anonymous
| You're right 14:31, I wasn't taking time and energy into account. It's a shame it's so hot now. In the winter soups & stews would be perfect. I can't imagine eating soup now...even though that was one of my cheap & easy suggestions. |
Anonymous
| We never do kids meals -- totally a rip off given how little kids tend to eat. We just share from our plate. |
Anonymous
| Some of those healthier options may be low in fat, but are often high in sodium. This is a problem with take out/fast food. |
Anonymous
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Harry's Tap Room isn't fast food, but they do have a good kid's menu for $7. Sweetwater Tavern/Artie's - also not fast food - have the usuals, but usually a couple of other kids' choices like grilled salmon. Very good value for the money.
Panera's Mac & cheese is a guaranteed winner for my daughter but it has like 470 calories a serving - crazy. So good, though. (warning about Baja Fresh - the taquitos are tasty but very high calorie as well.) We also like Silver Diner. Maybe Noodles & Co? My daughter likes several of the pastas from there. I usually get her a small order off the adult menu, give her half and then she eats the rest later, or I do. |
Anonymous
I'm the OP. My DD doesn't yet eat soups/stews yet. I do have a crock pot - and have tried some dishes, but as I explained in my first post, I'm not a great cook, and frankly my food (yes, even following the recipe) comes out poorly many times. Frankly, for a kid (19 months) who doesn't eat much and sometimes won't eat because she doesn't like my cooking - it's a bother. As DH is away for the next year and a half - I am simplifying my life as much as possible. I hate to cook - simply hate it. I do it when DH is home (he cooks too). But, while DH is away, I am looking for easy and fast solutions that are healthy. For many dishes I'm sure over the long run it can be cheaper to cook. But for my sanity and enjoyment - I'm going to avoid it as much as possible. Now, when DD is a little older and gets the hang of using a spoon - during the winter I will probably cook some chili (I do cook a mean chili) and some stews. But, not so much now when I'm boiling. |
Anonymous
Noodles & Company, there are several locations but my favorite is located in Kingstowne. My husband travels frequently and I go wth the kids once a week or so. It is tasty, family friendly and you can add a protein and make substitutions for picky eaters with ease. Oh, and the rice krispy treats are phenomenal  . Here's a link to the menu: [url]www.noodles.com
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Anonymous
| Chicken Out has an all new Spa Menu and a new Healthier Kids Menu with lots of good stuff. |
Anonymous
Watch out for the Snickerdoodles... 2 yr. old DD was a Noodles & Co. fan until she had the Snickerdoodle - now she says "COOKIE COOKIE COOKIE" the whole time and refuses to eat her dinner... not a good plan.  They're reeeeally good, though.
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Anonymous
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In Arlington/falls church, there is elevation burger and
bake at home pizza from the homemade pizza co. And takeout from the Italian store (prob not that healthy tho ) I hate cooking too so I feel you. |
Anonymous
| Have you thought about frozen dinners? I've tried the healthy ones from Safeway, which are pretty good. You could share the chicken and noodles with DC. They're only about $2-$3. And microwaving isn't labor intensive. Maybe get bagged salad to round out since some of the portions can be small. |
Anonymous
This is the OP. I haven't seen any Safeway healthy frozen dinners. Are they the Safeway brand? Are they in the same area as the Weight Watcher dinners, or more in the area where the Stouffers family size lasagna would be? They're Safeway brand? That sounds like a great idea. |