Take-out, also known as carry-out or takeaway in Britain and some parts of the US, is food ordered to eat elsewhere. Traditionally, it is referred to as fast food. Still, in many cases, it also means high-quality meals from small food entrepreneurs.
In the past, most people preferred to cook at home, but now, many rely on take-out to make up a significant portion of their diet. Here are some reasons why this is so!
Convenience
The convenience of taking-out food is one of the reasons why many people take-out meals. This is especially true for families with children with limited time to prepare meals.
Convenience foods are ready-to-eat meals from restaurants and grocery stores that save consumers time in food acquisition, preparation, and cleanup. These convenience foods include ready-to-eat dry products, frozen meals such as TV dinners, and prepared mixes such as cake mix.
Moreover, these foods may be cheaper than homemade but have lower nutritional value. Therefore, it is essential to choose healthier alternatives if you are eating convenience foods frequently.
To assess the impact of cooking effort on the usage intensity of convenience food, we defined indicators of cooking effort and convenience food consumption for individuals with specific characteristics that increase or decrease cooking effort indicators.
Health
It’s no secret that many people order take-out food, and there are a few reasons. One of the most obvious is that it saves you time.
You don’t have to cook or clean up a kitchen full of pots and pans, making it easier for your wallet and health.
And with the recent fad in living a healthier lifestyle, many restaurants have moved to offer more nutritious options.
Several companies have even developed apps to help you choose from the menu options. In particular, Plated’s smartphone app can do all the work for you while giving you a calorie and carbohydrate count for each choice. The app also allows you to select a delivery service or pick it up at a specific location. In addition, the app’s cleverly named apps, like an intelligent meal kit, the food-to-go menu, and a grocery list, make it even easier to plan a day of healthy eating while on the go.
Cravings
Cravings are common and manifest as an intense desire for a specific food. They can be challenging to ignore and, in some cases, can be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Environmental stimuli or hormonal shifts cause some cravings. Others may be emotional such as a feeling of reward when you achieve a goal or an emotion associated with certain foods (e.g., sweets when you did well on a test).
While cravings are usually a normal part of life, it’s essential to be aware of them. Getting to the root of your craving can help change your eating habits.
Time
Taking out from the food menu is an excellent option if you work long hours or just can’t be bothered cooking. This will save you time and money.
You’ll also avoid any messes when you cook from scratch at home. This is especially important if you have children and pets.
When you take out food, there’s almost no cleanup required. However, depending on the type of food you order, you may need to wash some utensils; otherwise, it’s just throwing them away.
The history of take-out food is fascinating and reflects business innovation as Americans traveled more, a growing cultural emphasis on leisure and convenience, and segregation and discrimination in American society. But it’s also worth remembering that even when taken-out food is healthy, too much can hurt your health.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.