Want to know a great budgeting secret? Stay in. Rather than spend the money on an expensive, high-calorie dish, you can stay in and enjoy your family—and you may find it easier to keep your calories in check, too. And just because you don't go out doesn't mean it can't be a special occasion. Break out the wedding china, light some candles, and cook a balanced and healthy meal for a fraction of the restaurant price.
Plan your meal ahead of time, and make a list accordingly. That can save you quite a few impulse buys at the grocery store. Plus, take advantage of coupons and special offers by planning ahead.
One of the benefits of going out is eating great-tasting food. But the big trade-off is not knowing which ingredients they use or your dish's calorie content. Unlike going to a restaurant, you know exactly what's going in your meal when you prepare it yourself. And if you cook with packaged foods, the Nutrition Facts panel tells you the nutritional value of what you're preparing. Who knows how many calories are in a Chinese takeout container. But you know that the new Healthy Choice® Café Steamers™ Grilled Chicken Marinara has only 250 calories. Talk about keeping your budget balanced—that's an entree for less than $5!
At a middle-of-the-road neighborhood restaurant, you'd be lucky to get by for less than $20 for two people. Not only is there a price difference, but there's a nutritional difference, too. To keep your budget—and your nutrients—in check, try Healthy Choice. Not only will you save time and money, but you’ll also get a whole lot more. Just look at all that the new All Natural Entrées from Healthy Choice have to offer:
Restaurants often appeal to our demand for large portions, and use large plates to showcase their meals. That's a fun indulgence, but at home, using large plates can make right-size portions look tiny and out of place. Use smaller plates so that normal-sized portions look satisfying. You'll feel better knowing that you saved money and ate less with an easy portion-control strategy.
If you do decide to dine out, one great way to cut your bill (and portion) in half is to split the entree. Most restaurants have generously sized portions, so splitting it is easy. You won't feel that regretful dread of, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing," and you can share your meal with your sweetie.
Wine, beer, and liquor costs can rapidly add to your bill. Save yourself the empty calories (one margarita has as many calories as most entrees) and lower your bill instantly by sticking to a glass of water with a twist of lemon.
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