A roast chicken, rice and green beans made at home is healthier and far less expensive. 🤷‍♀️

@Kswl True but not practical when driving between sporting events or other kids activities. Or realistic when comng home from said activities near bedtime.

Not only have prices gone up, but any number of restaurants have cheapened their ingredients, so quality is not the same.

In 1960 to 1990 or so the food was good if salty. Nothing is the same now.

Back in my previous position we had participants in our research study who ate fast food twice a day.

We just can't eat it. It's too fatty. The students eat Chik-Fil-A which just smells so gross to me.

I don’t think I ever had fast food with my parents. I used to get it with friends in high school, but not too often because I hardly ever had the cash. I will admit I did take my boys for Happy Meals occasionally when they were young, but later we had (somewhat) better options like Panera and Chipotle. When DD was going to gymnastics meets all over the state, we’d end up having to stop for fast food on the way home at like 9 or 10 pm but that was a limited season. Now I can’t remember the last time I had McDonalds or Burger King or the like. I am sure it would give me a stomach ache!

I could go for a Chipotle bowl, though. When the kids were at home, that was something we’d get occasionally.

Lucille, do you have a Rosa’s in your town? When DD lived at home, we’d sometimes eat there when short on time. It was a sort of step above other fast food Tex-Mex places, with lots of selections and great prices. She and I could get in and out of there quickly, and for around $15 for both our meals and drinks.

DH and I decided to order at the drive-thru the other day and wow. The prices on some of the meals have more than doubled, while the portions are smaller and the quality has gone way down (maybe that’s more location specific, I don’t know).

We have a few really good family-owned hamburger places in town that I’ve heard aren’t much more expensive than McDonald’s. I can’t remember the last time I had anything from McDonald’s, but have read their prices have gone way up.

Chick-fil-A has, or used to have, a grilled chicken wrap I liked and I‘d substitute kale salad for my side. The last time I got it (with small drink), it was nearly $14! I can make a better wrap at home for much less; I just need to find the dressing they use on the kale salad. It’s so good.

Another thing I’ve read is that some of the chains have been bought by private equity firms. I think Panera is one. And all of the Schlotzsky’s around here have recently closed. They were charging nearly $15 for a half sandwich and half salad combo, with drink.

Eta: Found a CfA copycat kale salad! Thanks for starting this thread, it reminded me to look for the recipe. :)

https://sinfulkitchen.com/kale-crunch-salad/

@Jilly that looks really good....I won't patronize Chic fil A, so have never had that, but I make a similar salad, using a chiffonade cut on the kale, leaving out the sweetener and adding anchovies to the dressing for a kale Caesar. I've been putting Trader Joe's Toasted Garlic chips on it instead of the Caesar croutons and then a bit of parmesan sprinkled over top. It's yummy. I'll have to add some toasted almonds to try.

Oly, thanks for sharing yours, it sounds really good, too. I’ll try it; I love salads and eat one nearly every day. I always enjoy adding new ones!

We used to go to McDonalds once in a great while and DH would go inside and order a large fries NO SALT. Thats the important part at any restaurant fast food or not they always cook a new fresh batch.

Anyway we hadn’t done it at McD’s in a very long time. DH went in last week and came out with his little bag of large very hot fresh delicious fries….$6.50!!!! For one order of fries! That was the last time… sigh

@Kswl True but not practical when driving between sporting events or other kids activities. Or realistic when comng home from said activities near bedtime.

That’s why you make it the night before and all you have to do is reheat. I had three kids and was in that same spot many, many times. I had a solid repetoire of five or six dishes that the kids liked and would reheat easily. I also had three or four meals that could be made in 30 minutes or less. We had a family meeting every Sunday night and the menu was already set based on who was doing what for the coming week. We ordered pizza every Friday and set up the skateboard ramps and rails for the neighborhood kids or had movie night if it was raining. Saturdays were something more fun and time consuming, like grilling out or trying something new, and we often ate out in Dunedin after church on Sunday and had either leftovers or sandwiches Sunday night. I had three kids each four years from the next one and they had almost completely separate lives with respect to school and sports. Being organized was the only way any of it worked.

In general, one of the problems is that people's children are Way overbooked, and there is some myth that all of this extra curricular activity is going to be of immeasurable help in life. And parents are run ragged because of their children's extracurricular and social activities. Nothing happens organically anymore.

The other thing is, that when we were not home for dinner because of activities and or had to run in and run out, we ate leftovers or something from the refrigerator. And there wasn't nearly the problem with childhood obesity as there is now.

I suppose we were fortunate not to have a fast food restaurant nearby on the way to most activities. We did have one McD wewould occasionally stop at for a shake or a snack on the way to confirmation class from school. Generally if it was going to be ”one of those nights” with little time at home, our crockpot was our friend. It’s like it was humming ”I’ve been waiting for you! Sit right down!” And, there was always a meal from the grocery store deli counter. Lasagna, baked fish, spanakopita, sloppy joe, roast chicken.

Fast Food was generally for on-the-road, but if Panera was an option, we would stop there.

Prices have increased across the board, but cooking at home is still the most ecomical. BTW, it actually is possible to eat somewhat healthfully at fast food restaurants, or any restaurant, but it will still cost the same.

I can say that at 81, I've never eaten in a fast food restaurant in my life. And I certainly never took my son to one. I cooked, we packed food when necessary. I brought lunch to work with me my entire working life.

arcy_gw

50 minutes ago

In my life fast food or diners, any eating out of the home was only when we were traveling by car, across country to a new home. Even then our station wagon had a large cooler so mom could feed us sandwhiches, keep milk for the ever coveted cereal in a tiny box that was also an only when travling item. My parents would have LOVED the hotels with breakfast I bet. Our kids had fast food a few times--mostly for FUN, novelty. The prices today are astounding. I keep hearing about two income homes being necessary and I think let me have at your budget--bet it's not true! Many of the issues brought forward on this thread are exactly why we have Mr. Kennedy trying to Make America Healthy Again!!! He will appreciate this support.

This seems to be a new Arcy trend, actually being interesting and rational in the first half and then springing her political agenda on the second.

My post here is just to say that I appreciate the first part.

McDonald's filet of fish used to be my guilty pleasure. (Isn't it odd how you get attached to something from childhood that you wouldn't take a second look at as an adult?)

About 10 years ago, maybe more, I started to feel terrible after eating one, almost like a hangover. Not sure if it was a me issue (perimeno) or a Mickey D's ingredients issue, I suspect a little of both.

Dee, me too! Filet of fish, yum! I was at a regular beachy sort of restarant recently and they had a fish sandwich that sounded like a filet of fish, but sadly, it was nothing like it. (I should have complained to the waiter, lol, hey, this is nothing like what Ronald McDonald used to make!)

This thread seems to be veerying into parental judginess territory… I think it is safe to say we all did (are doing) the best we could. All the grown kids seem okay whether they had occasional chicken nuggets or not.

I can only imagine what it would cost to take my family of 5 to a McDonalds. I’m sure takeout pizzas would be less $$. Although pizza prices have gone way up, too!

Sue, DD and family are moving to the Boston area (away from us which is breaking my heart) but I will be up here much more often. We definitely need to meet up. Perhaps we can go to a place that might have a filet of fish dupe! : )

No judgement from me on anyone’s choices— agree 100% people generally do the best they can with the time and resources they have. I think most recognize that fast food is some of the worst food available and can be addictive. The high cost of it now just adds insult to injury— and hopefully will result in more healthful eating at home.

Jilly, yes, Boston Market! There was one in my hometown and it was very exciting when my parents would occasionally get takeout there.

We have a small local cafe that makes a great rotisserie chicken. Sometimes I forget about them, and now that’s what I want for lunch!