Workaround: Order groceries instead of takeout

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Written By Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

With all of the delivery apps on the market, it is so tempting to order dinner now. Pizza, dessert, soda? It is delivered in 30 minutes flat. It is so tempting to pick up the smart phone and order dinner.

A great workaround is to use a grocery delivery app and get dinner now (roasted chicken, salad, baked potatoes) PLUS groceries for the rest of the week. Chances are, the cost is the same and you can get a lot more food for the same price as dinner for four!Scenario one, dinner for two, $65:

  • 11" Pizza to share
  • Dessert to share
  • Salad to share
  • Drinks

Scenario two, groceries for 3 days for two: $69

  • Tilapia
  • Bread crumbs
  • Chicken thighs
  • BBQ sauce
  • Salad mix
  • Bag of rice
  • Veggies
  • Soup
  • Yogurt
  • Chips
  • Cereal
  • Cupcake

Groceries can often be delivered in the same time frame as dinner if you are using an app like Instacart!Take the test! Download the meal delivery app DoorDash or GrubHub. Place enough items in the cart for you and your family for dinner. Take a screenshot.Next download a grocery delivery app like Amazon Prime or Instacart. Load as many groceries as you can for the same price. Now compare! See how fast it can all be delivered. The closer the store the faster the service as a general rule.Of course, the best thing is to plan ahead and shop in the stores so you can compare food labels and take advantage of items in the season but it is comforting to know that groceries can be delivered just as fast as takeout meals in many areas.   

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Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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