Ordering Takeout vs. Cooking at Home: The Pros and Cons (2024)

There’s nothing like coming home after a long day and not having to worry about cooking dinner. Thanks to modern apps like UberEats and Postmates, it’s easy to pick up our phones and order a meal from our favorite nearby restaurant. Eating out or ordering takeout is convenient, easy, and delicious. But is it the healthiest option? On the other hand, cooking at home is time consuming, labor-intensive, and it requires effort and planning. However, it allows you to control what goes into your meal, where you often know exactly what you are eating and how it was prepared, and it can ultimately lead to healthier outcomes. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both options, and help you decide what the best choice might be for you.

1. Easy and Convenient

Ordering takeout is as simple as picking up your phone, browsing through a variety of food options, and clicking a button. Within minutes, your order gets placed and your meal is on its way. There’s no need to worry about grocery shopping, meal planning, prepping, or cleaning up afterwards. It’s undoubtedly a quick and convenient option, particularly on busy days when time is limited.

2. Less Labor-Intensive

The relief of not having to cook after a long day is one of the main appeals of ordering takeout. There’s no need to spend time on preparation or stand over a hot stove. You can avoid the labor-intensive process of cooking and instead, use that time for relaxation or catching up on other tasks. This can be especially beneficial for those who have demanding jobs or busy family lives.

3. Delicious Options

The variety of food options available for takeout is vast. From sushi to pizza, Indian to Mexican, you can have access to a wide range of different cuisines at your fingertips. It’s also a great way to try out new dishes from local restaurants. The taste and quality of meals can be superior to home cooking, especially if you’re not an experienced cook.

1. Lack of Ingredient Transparency

One of the most concerning drawbacks of ordering takeout is the lack of transparency regarding ingredients. When you’re not the one doing the cooking, you essentially forfeit control over what goes into your food. While many restaurants provide ingredient lists or nutritional information, they often don’t disclose specifics about additives, preservatives, or the quality of the ingredients used.

For instance, a dish that seems healthy on the surface might contain excessive amounts of salt, hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, or monosodium glutamate (MSG) to enhance flavor. These additives can be problematic for those watching their sodium intake, managing diabetes, or those sensitive to certain substances.

Even with dishes that seem straightforward, there’s always the risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen or the use of oils and fats that you would rather avoid. Plus, restaurants often source their ingredients in bulk, meaning that unless specifically stated, you’re less likely to get organic or locally-sourced produce and meats.

This uncertainty can be especially anxiety-inducing for those with food sensitivities, allergies, or specific dietary requirements. Without a comprehensive understanding of what’s in your food, you may unwittingly expose yourself to ingredients that trigger adverse reactions in your body — which could range from bloating and lethargy to heart palpitations and high blood pressure.

2. Potential for Adverse Health Effects

Everybody’s different, and different bodies react in unique ways to various ingredients and chemicals. With takeout, dishes containing ingredients like excessive salt, MSG, or certain preservatives may trigger cardiovascular issues like heart palpitations and increased blood pressure in some people. This is especially concerning for those who are already at risk for heart-related problems or have a history of hypertension.

Furthermore, many fast-food or takeout options are rich in saturated fats and trans fats, both of which have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in your arteries. While a single meal might not cause immediate harm, frequent consumption of these fats can contribute to long-term health issues, including coronary artery disease. The issue of bad fats further highlights the importance of knowing what goes into your food, a luxury often sacrificed when opting for the convenience of takeout.

Moreover, the gastrointestinal tract can also suffer when faced with takeout. Foods rich in unhealthy fats, or specific types of carbohydrates can lead to digestive issues ranging from mild discomfort like bloating and gas to more severe conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you have food sensitivities, the unknown composition of a takeout dish can lead to unexpected and severe discomfort.

Allergic reactions pose another challenge. Many restaurant establishments handle a broad spectrum of ingredients, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. Even if you’re diligent about stating your allergies when ordering, the risk is never entirely eliminated, posing a potentially severe health threat.

Lastly, the nutritional aspect cannot be ignored. A routine of consistently opting for takeout can lead to a lack of essential nutrients, which are often more abundant in home-cooked meals. Over time, this can result in various nutritional deficiencies with long-term health consequences.

3. Quality Concerns

Sometimes, takeout food may arrive in packaging that gives it an off-taste. Additionally, it may not be as fresh or as hot as you’d prefer.

One common issue is the use of plastic packaging, which may impart an unpleasant off-taste to the food. Plastics can contain various chemicals that, when in contact with hot or acidic foods, can potentially leach into the meal, affecting its taste and possibly even its safety.

In addition to packaging issues, the freshness and temperature of takeout food can be inconsistent. Unlike a home-cooked meal that moves from your stove to your plate in a matter of minutes, takeout has to survive a journey — sometimes a lengthy one — from the restaurant to your doorstep. During this transit, the food can lose its optimal temperature, becoming lukewarm, or even cold, by the time it reaches you. This not only impacts the flavor but can also change the texture of certain dishes, making crispy foods soggy or sauces congealed.

4. Cost per Meal

While the convenience of takeout is undeniable, it often comes with a hefty price tag compared to home-cooked meals. Ordering from restaurants usually includes additional costs like delivery fees, tips, and sometimes even service charges. These extras can quickly add up, making takeout a less economical choice in the long run. Therefore, while takeout may seem like a quick and easy option, its cumulative financial impact on your wallet can be significant.

1. Control Over the Ingredients

When you cook for yourself, you have complete control over what goes into your food. This knowledge eliminates the risk of unexpected reactions to unfamiliar ingredients, offering a safer and potentially healthier eating experience.

2. Freshness and Quality

Cooking at home ensures that your meals are as fresh and hot as they can be. You can also opt for high-quality, organic ingredients, which are generally fresher and free from harmful pesticides.

1. Time and Effort

Cooking at home is labor-intensive. From prepping the ingredients to the actual cooking and cleaning afterward, it’s a time-consuming process that not everyone can afford.

2. Cost of Ingredients

High-quality, raw, or organic ingredients can be expensive. If you’re cooking at home with these, the cost per meal could be significantly higher than that of a fast-food takeout meal.

In the end, the pros and cons of ordering takeout vs. cooking at home depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences. If you’re short on time, ordering in can be a quick and easy option. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a healthier option, and prioritize long-term effects, cooking from scratch might be your best bet. Cooking at home allows you almost complete control over the quality of the food, the ingredients that go in it, and the nutritional content of your meals.

It’s interesting to think about how much our food habits have changed over time. Our ancestors used to spend almost all day hunting, gathering, and preparing food just to survive. Today, getting a meal can be as easy as tapping a few times on our phones. But easy doesn’t always mean better. At the end of the day, it’s all about what’s most important to you — your time, your health, or maybe a bit of both.