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Today being Friday, and a rainy one here at that, I decided that I didn’t feel like making myself a lunch to bring to work today. I’m all for rewarding yourself with some take-out on a Friday after a long workweek and a rainy day is an even better excuse to pick up some comfort food. This got me thinking though, how often do I opt to pick up lunch instead of bringing something with me - and how many other people are doing the same thing?

After taking a look at my checking account statement, the results were astounding as to both the frequency with which I chose to get fast food and how much it was costing me each week. While it seems stupid when I look at it now, at the time it made sense that if I grabbed a sub from Subway, or a few items of the dollar menu for lunch that it wasn’t going to cost me much more than what it would in resources bringing my own lunch.

photo credit: daveynin

Not only is this just wrong, as it turns out I was spending nearly $20-$25 per week on lunch (obviously getting going in the mornings is a daily issue for me) but it wasn’t remotely healthy either. Consider that you can buy a loaf of bread, pound of lunchmeat and cheese at the grocery store for about $10 and you can see that there is a considerable amount of savings to be had here, not to mention health benefits. If you have similar AM motivation problems as I do, prepare a lunch the night before and put it in the fridge.

After doing some quick searching, I found I am not alone. According to Cynthia Sass of the American Dietetic Association:

“People who don’t plan to either bring in a healthy meal or go out for one, or wait too long before eating, find themselves rushed and starving and will often opt for the most convenient foods — those from a vending machine, the office candy bowl or a nearby fast-food joint.”

While many of you may not be spending as much as I have been, or even leaving the office - opting for a cafeteria on site instead – the point still remains that you need to be conscious of your lunch choices. Once in awhile, sure, treat yourself to some take-out instead of a bag lunch. Day-to-day though you are better off making yourself a lunch or bringing leftovers to re-heat with you. Not only will you save money, but odds are it’ll be much better for you too.

Source: Pitfalls of Desktop Dining [herladtribune.com]

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