While it’s always nice to cook yourself a hearty and healthy meal at home, sometimes, the day just won’t allow you to do so. It’s either you’re stuck at work until the wee hours of the night, or you’re too tired after a long workout, or you’re just being plain lazy. Whatever it is, sometimes the option of ordering takeout or delivery seems like the golden choice. Plus, nothing beats ordering a dish you could never cook at home because your skills, or laziness, just won’t allow it. Moving on to the main point, if you’re considering ordering some food, here are things you should think about while doing so.
1. Go For The Healthier Options
Yes, when you think of takeout or delivery, sometimes the only thing that comes to mind is that big, juicy, mouthwatering burger, or that oozy, cheesy pizza. However, unhealthy fast foods are not the only options you can choose from. Just because you’re ordering takeout, doesn’t mean you have to send your health down the drain. Try to look for healthier shops that offer well-balanced platters. While going for that “crunchy” fried chicken is very tempting, know that it’s full of unhealthy calories, so make sure to go for dishes that contain all the nutrients you need such as protein, grains, and vegetables—and no, a burger patty with lettuce on top is not well balanced.
In exploring healthier dining options, another avenue worth considering is the use of meal kits. Meal kits not only simplify the cooking process but often come with balanced portions and nutrition-rich ingredients. Understanding how do meal kits work can be a gateway to making more informed choices about your meals, ensuring you enjoy both the convenience and taste without compromising on health.
2. Consider Your Order’s Components
Something else to consider when ordering food is what comes with your order. Some foods might look like the best foodporn out there when you look at their picture, but once you open their box up at home, they can look messy and unappetizing. This is why it’s crucial to consider whether what you’re ordering is strictly a restaurant dine-in item or if it can have a home at your abode. You also need to bear in mind that if you order something with a sauce, the food might get soggy, so ordering it on the side is always the best option. Lastly, and this is something you should always bear in mind, is food portions. Try to gather information about a restaurant’s portions as the food might be too much or too little for your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you end up with too much food, it’s always a good idea to separate your platter in half and keep one half for another meal. It allows you to eat heartily while still economizing!
3. Ratings & Feedback
While the rare negative feedback and a one-star rating on an otherwise five-star restaurant can certainly be ignored, consciously purchasing food from a shop that obviously has low ratings and a never-ending stream of unhappy comments is a big fat no! It might be hard for you to trust strangers and their taste in food, but when it comes to what you ingest, be brave and trust those comrades in arms. There’s no harm in trying new food and enjoying its succulence, but always be mindful of what you’re throwing into your stomach as it might lead to more uncomfortable problems such as indigestion, or worse, food poisoning. It’s usually quite easy to find a restaurant’s rating and feedback online. You can also check in third-party delivery apps, or even ask friends or family members who have previously ordered from the place you plan on ordering takeout from!
4. Food Ordering Safety
Speaking of safety while ordering delivery or picking up your takeout, always ensure that you’re taking the proper precautions, especially since we still live with a pandemic at large. It might seem like you can now live a carefree life since lockdown has ended and vaccinations are out but know that you still need to practice the proper protocol while dealing with other people. When ordering delivery, make sure to always leave proper instructions so that you can minimize the contact points you have with your delivery driver. As for when you go pick up your food, ensure that you’re donning a mask (and gloves if you feel the need), and always carry some sanitizer with you. Enjoying your food ordering experience doesn’t mean you have to disregard your own personal safety.
There you have it, these are some of the things you should consider when ordering or picking up food from shops. All in all, the most important thing is for you to enjoy what you’re eating. However, don’t forget to also be brave sometimes and try things you never imagined you would try as it might lead you to your new favorite dish. The act of eating is a very enjoyable journey; savor it!
