Looking to save some money? Your lunch habits may need a revision.
The battle against overpriced office lunches! We’ve all been there—staring at the menu board in the break room, contemplating whether to fork over the $10 for a subpar sandwich or the $15 for a salad that looks like it was assembled on a Monday, or caving in and ordering DoorDash.
Lunch is more than just a midday meal—it’s a daily decision that quietly impacts your wallet, waistline, and well-being. Whether you’re grabbing takeout or unpacking a homemade meal, the differences go far beyond taste and convenience. Let’s dive into the financial, health, and behavioral implications of bringing lunch from home versus dining out.
Eating Out
Grabbing lunch from a café or restaurant might feel like a harmless splurge, but the costs add up quickly. The average lunch out costs between $7 and $15. Multiply that by five workdays, and you’re spending $35 to $75 per week, or $140 to $300 monthly. Over the course of a year, that adds up to $1,820 to $3,900.
Bringing Lunch from Home
In contrast, preparing your own lunch usually costs $3 to $5 per meal. That’s only $15 to $25 per week, or $60 to $100 a month. Annually, that totals $780 to $1,200—which means you could be saving $1,620 to $2,700 a year by packing your lunch.
It’s not just the menu price that hurts your wallet. Delivery fees, service charges, and tips can drive a $30 meal up to $40 or more. Plus, groceries at home often go to waste when we choose takeout over cooking, adding to the financial toll.
Hidden Expenses of Dining Out
It’s not just the menu price that hurts your wallet. Delivery fees, service charges, and tips can drive a $30 meal up to $40 or more. Plus, groceries at home often go to waste when we choose takeout over cooking, adding to the financial toll.
Calories & Nutritional Quality
Eating out isn’t just harder on your budget—it’s often harder on your health. Studies show that meals prepared away from home are generally higher in calories, saturated fats, and sodium. On average, each meal eaten out adds 134 extra calories to your daily intake. Specifically, eating lunch away from home adds about 158 additional calories compared to a home-packed meal.
Let’s face it, those microwave burritos and pre-packaged salads often contain more sodium than your body needs, and it’s tough to keep track of hidden calories. When you take the reins of your meal prep, you control what's going into your food, allowing you to make health-conscious choices.
Behavorial Insights: Why We Still Eat Out
If eating out is more expensive and less healthy, why do so many people still do it? The answer lies in our routines and mental health. Meal prepping can be mentally exhausting, especially after a long day. For many, the convenience of food delivery or the joy of socializing during a lunch outing outweighs the effort of planning and packing. Dining out can also be a form of self-care—providing a mental break and a change of scenery during the workday.
The Bottom Line
Bringing lunch from home isn’t just about pinching pennies—it’s about reclaiming control over your health and habits. While eating out has its perks, preparing your own meals can lead to significant financial savings, reduced calorie intake, and better nutrition overall.
A little planning can go a long way toward a healthier wallet and a healthier you.