If it's because you really like your cooking better - then no, but if it's because your afraid of what the restaurant food is going to do to the scale then yes. I too LOVE eating out, but I would never choose McDonald's or Applebee's for that matter - their food doesn't appeal to me. But a decent steak house, or Cheesecake Factory - or Panera or Chipotle if you're going the fast food route, count me in. I can ALWAYS find things that are on plan, and if I don't want to eat on plan - then I don't and I savour every bite. It's not convenient for me to pack my meals when I travel, but I never travel for business it's always pleasure, so if it was more often I may have a different opinion. So for me, eating out is acceptable occassionally (which to me means at least once a week). But that's what work for me.

I definitely agree. I love my own food. I know what goes in there (not only caloriewise!) and I know it will taste good.
I do love great restaurants and if I find one I will be loyal forever (if you keep up with the quality!). However, if I don't know a restaurant I will only try it once. If you mess it up, I won't be back unless somebody else invites me and pays.
I used to go out for business lunches quite a bit and I must say there are not many restaurants (especially fancy ones) that deserve my money. Food lacks quality ingredients, inspiration and passion. You can taste all of that!
I am also done with chain restaurants and fast food, apart from a handful good ones.
I am not wasting my money or waist on them. I rather spend half a day in the kitchen than having dinner at a mediocre restaurant.
I wish more people would think like that because it would sure cause restaurants to step it up. When I look at friends or co-workers... geez! I mean different preferences ok, but quality is quality!

Life is too short for bad food. There are very few restaurants that we will eat at & we have to order our brocolli rare or it comes as mush.

As dini22 said, most hotels will have a microwave and sometimes a mini fridge in your room for you for a small fee if you let them know in advance. 2 of my children have food allergies, and it is just to stressful on us to eat out all the time while on vacation. I have even had hotels wave the fee when I say that it is for health concerns.

Actually, I usually find the best room rates are at Residence Inns which have a full kitchen with a big fridge. Also they are VERY nice for having a proper sofa to relax on.

I'm also often disappointed by the quality of food served at restaurants. However, I don't like to cook nor am I good at it.

I was thinking about this thread as I was getting all dolled up to go out for dinner tonight with my family. :) Sometimes it's all about the clothes and the company. When we go out and eat, it's rarely about the food, it's about the fun. Though I'm sure this might be a rural "thing". "Going to town" has a whole different meaning when you live 15 miles from anywhere. ;)

I prefer to eat my own food too.

I think about the gross things back in the kitchen. I also have been helping my friend out on a food truck, and know how stuff like "oil" from the fyer doesn't get changed every day. Many grilled veggies are prepared one day, but used the next day.

I also used to work in an ice cream shop back in high school and remember how we didn't have time to thoroughly wash stuff like the strawberries.

I guess being a bit of a germaphobe will help me from staying away from eating out.

I totally forgot to answer your question...no, you are not crazy for thinknig like that. I also want to bring my own prepared food with me wherever I go.

I do this with school, short trips, even vegas, and just snacks when i'm on the go. There is too much garbage out there...snacks full of chemicals and preservatives.

Another reason why i do this is to save money. I did try the ice machine thing at the hotel I was staying at in vegas. I kept this cucumber salad that I made (with vinegar and red onions) cold by putting it in the ice bucket. It worked for the first night, the second night, it started to get a little warmer, still chilly, and even with replacing the ice 2 times the next day. I just start to worry about the food not being cold enough after a while. If you have a mini fridge you won't have to worry about it. But then finding a way to heat it up will be hard. I guess at some point you will realize what works and what doesn't and find ways to still enjoy "outside" food that you trust and can eat without worrying about your nutrition/diet.

Originally Posted by Ferumbras:
I guess for me, when my husband and I go out to eat, we go to good restaurants. Not crappy chains or fast food places. High-end bistros, delicious Indian food, Ethiopian, Burmese -- stuff that we never make at home, and never as well (and my husband is quite a good cook). So while I agree that I prefer home cooking to Applebees or McDonald's, it's nice every few months to go to a place that cooks a particular style of fare well.

Same for me. Although my husband likes to go out for breakfast a couple of times a week, too, and THAT, I prefer to have at home. I can cook my eggs with PAM and be satisfied, but I have no control of the butter or oil they use in restaurants.

I do find it challenging to regularly go out to eat and still stay within my calories, but I suppose that is part of learning to make a lifestyle change.

At the risk of sounding like a walking contradiction...does "chinese food" count as eating out? My 12 yr old FORCED me to buy it tonight...and I have no resistance when it comes to that food!:o Actually...I LOVED it! Barring take out (which includes my favorite Jamaican, Chinese, DiGiorno 3 meat pizza, Thai & Etheopian take out joints), I hate all restaurants around here.

I'm divorced. Not dating currently. Have a back yard like an amusement park (fully equipped for entertainment), and am a general recluse. So I guess eating in just suits my lifestyle. I'm an "indoors girl" if you will.

At the end of the day...it's about finding what fits.:)

To all you lovely ladies going out tonight for a "night on the town", have BIG FUN and knock em dead in your best red pumps!:carrot:

I'm about to kick back with a smoothie and a movie!:cool: Night all and thanks for all your comments.:hug: