Losing weight has been a lifelong venture for me. I have probably lost my total body weight about 10 times during my life. Of course those tasty suggestions and restaurant reviews from the Geezer donât really make it any easier. Somehow I always seem to take more calories in than I work off with exercise. I have always looked forward to that big evening meal after a long day at the office. At my most recent visit with my family physician, he reminded me of previous discussions on changing my eating habits â eat a good size salad and split an entrĂ©e with Sue, or, eat half and take the rest home for another meal. This time he added another suggestion â eat a bigger meal at lunch and have a light meal for dinner, and cut out the late-night snacks.
Well, Sue pointed out that many restaurants these days have specials at lunchtime. One of her favorites is the Olive Garden for their âall you can eatâ soup and salad luncheon. The cost is about half of what you would pay for a dinner meal. At the Gourmet House (our favorite Chinese restaurant), you can get a complete luncheon meal (egg roll, soup, entrĂ©e, tea, and fortune cookies) for a very reasonable price. Mimiâs CafĂ© has a soup and salad combo, again at half the cost of a dinner meal. Colonial CafĂ© has soup and half a sandwich or a salad at a bargain price, plus you get a senior discount. If you have cravings for Italian meals, Biaggi’s also has luncheon specials â soup and salad or a small entrĂ©e at a competitive price.
Of course I have to give up my Jimmy Johnâs gourmet sandwich and chips or my Culverâs basket meal for lunch, but eating healthier and saving money at the same time just makes a lot of sense. My physician also suggested drinking water instead of diet coke. I argued that the diet coke didnât have any calories, but he pointed out that diet soda, even though it doesnât contain sugar, increases my cravings for sweets. Then Sue pointed out that beverages in most restaurants cost around $2 a serving while water is usually free unless you order bottled water. Therefore, choosing water trims my spending as well.
For me, these are big changes in eating habits. The double attraction â healthier and cheaper â may just help me lose my body weight for the eleventh time. We really donât have to eat out less frequently, but just do it more at lunchtime and less at suppertime. The savings can be substantial, and we still get to visit our favorite eating establishments.
Keep those letters coming, folks. Send your questions and ideas to: The Frugal Forum, P.O. Box 693, Huntley, IL 60142, or, by email to: thefrugalforum@gmail.com.
