I am watching a Canadian talk show and a guest mentioned that in Canada, it is still cheaper to cook at home than it is to get fast-food. He then said in the U.S., this isn't the case.

Directed towards our U.S. friends, is this true? Would it be cheaper to order out than prepare a balance meal at home?

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

Not in my kitchen it's not. Alwasys cheaper to eat at home. I wonder what they were proposing one eat? The only way I could see it being cheaper is if you are talking about one suingle person... then it might be cheaper $ wise.

Food aside, factor in the cost of obesity, lost productivity, health problems, etc, etc and the cost of fast food is WAY higher, but not many foliks consider that, they only consider hard dollars in the pocketbook.

I wonder if they didn't calculate in the cost of pots, pans, electircity, gas, plates, etc when factoring those costs.

I don't think its cheaper to get fast food than cook at home. Mind you- I don't eat out that much so my $ are estimates

For instance- running to McDonals to get a Big Mac, Fries, coke runs about $5. So, for a family of 4 you're looking at spending $15-20

Yet, if I make the same meal, even if I have to buy every single ingredient and no coupons-I'm looking at spending $10-12. And, likely I have condiments and such at home already and the ingredients go farther than just 1 meal. ie I can get a pound of hamberger for $2 (4 burgers), Lettuce ($1- enough for burgers and a salad), tomatoes (.70/lb), Mayo ($1.50 per jar), ketchup (0.89 a bottle), Mustard (0.76 bottle), buns (.90 per 8), pickles ($1 jar), fries ($2 big bag), 2 liter coke ($1)

Not to mention. If I make at home I don't fry the fries, grease the buns or generally serve sodas so it would be healthier than eating out.

Sometimes with coupons it is a good deal to eat out, but usually I find its cheaper to make my own. Another example- we paid $20 for 2 pizzas and 1 order of breadsticks at a party the other night. Yet, I could have made the same for less than half the cost with not much work involved.

I'd love to hear more opinions

It would also depend on where u live in the US. I'm sure they just did an average. I also think the findings are subject.

allgirls

__________________
allgirls, mom to 3 girls

i also don't think it is cheaper heck for our family of 5(infant dd does not eat) for 2 value meals and 2 happy meals at mcdonalds is anywhere for 15-17 dollars...i can feed my family for way cheaper than that at home as well....we only eat out even at fast food once in a great blue moon it is not cost effective or healthy in my opinion.

__________________
'The will of God will never take you where the
Grace of God will not protect you.'

HAVE A BOOTIFUL HALLOWEEN

Was this just this guest's "opinion"??? Or did he have some scientific proof?? Sounds more like he was just doing a little US bashing to me.

__________________

Nope, he wasn't "US bashing" but since it was just mentioned during a cooking segment, I have no idea what he was basing his info on. It was more of a passing comment then a debate.
I couldn't imagine that it would be cheaper to eat out, so that's why I had to ask the question.

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!