This spring, we’re dedicating our blog to the idea of consuming less, a good way to explore how much is enough for today. That doesn’t mean that you need to give up everything you own and go live in a tree (though that’s great if you do, and many of us feel like we’d love to do that about once a day!). This month, however, we’re dedicating our time to giving you ideas on how you can consume less in reasonable ways in things that you do every day. Today’s topic? How to consume less when you go out to eat. (Be sure to scroll to the bottom for our useful infographic!)
America isn’t known for its reasonable portions or focus on sustainable restaurant practices. If you’re dining in an upper income bracket, then many restaurants have made the move to using local, fresh, sustainable ingredients and take-out containers made of postconsumer materials. However, almost all larger chain restaurants (the type most Americans eat in regularly) have to keep their prices as low as possible, and that means adopting some less-than-earth-friendly practices. While we’d love a world in which people simply chose not to eat at places that didn’t have earth-friendly business practices, that’s not reality. It also means that there are a number of small things that, if we all did them, could add up to larger environmental impacts. How can you consume less food and generate less waste when you and your family go out to eat? Here are our favorite five tips.
Tip Number One: It Is About the Portions
We certainly don’t want to turn this into an article about weight loss, but it is about the portions and amount that you order (and eat) when out at a restaurant. Unfortunately, you are up against a wall when it comes to portion sizes in most restaurants. The American (and, sadly, spreading throughout the world) philosophy is that we want big portions for small prices. What can you do? Here are a few options.
– Skip appetizers or starter courses and only order an entrée.
– Always be sure to check the menu for smaller portion options. Some restaurants will do half orders or have developed a smaller portion section of the menu.
– Split entrees! In most restaurant chains these days, one entrée is more than enough for two people.
Tip Number Two: It’s Okay to Be That Person Who Brings Your Own Takeout Dish
Nobody wants to be that person who’s being stared at when the plastic containers come out of your purse! But you know what? You should own that you’re an awesome enough person that you brought your own takeout containers instead of wasting another plastic container from the restaurant. If you can’t use your own containers, then be sure that whatever takeout container you bring home from the restaurant gets reused to store food in your own home. If you’re eating out at a fast food restaurant, take the time to bring your own beverage container and reusable utensils instead of using the disposable, single-use versions at the fast food restaurant. There are few purchases that the Postconsumers team enjoys more than our reusable utensil packets!
Tip Number Three: Only Have On the Table What You Need on the Table
Because we don’t have a very close relationship with our food in America, it’s easy to forget that, at a restaurant, once an item is on the table it’s getting thrown out if it isn’t used. That includes straws, paper napkins and the bread basket and butter slices. If you know that you’re not going to eat the bread or are likely to only eat a piece or two of bread, tell the server to not bring it or to bring half as much. That’s not only going to help you reduce how much food is wasted during your dining out trip, but it’s also going to help you manage your weight. If it’s not in front of you, you won’t eat it!
The same thing goes for chips and salsa, which are often an even bigger offender. If you know you’re only going to eat half a basket of chips, then ask them to only bring half a basket of chips. Everything that you don’t eat from that basket will go right to the trash.
Tip Number Four: Going Out to Eat Is Also About Getting There
Have you ever gone to family dinner and seen every member of the family who is over sixteen years old drive his or her own car to the restaurant? Whenever possible, be aware of how much waste (or even food miles) you’re putting into the world by not thinking about how you got to dinner. Walking, biking, carpooling or even taking public transportation can reduce the waste generated by a night out for food. Even just deciding that a single family should drive in a single car can reduce waste!
Tip Number Five: Sometimes Less is More
In most (but sadly not all) places in the country, you really can find restaurant options that focus on sustainable and eco-friendly business and food practices. You may not be getting three pounds of food for ten dollars if you eat there, however! We understand the need to feed families within budget, but chances are that you actually don’t need (or eat) all of the food that you get at larger chain restaurants. Consider eating out a little less and cooking at home a little more (it’s better for your heath and your wallet anyway), and then choosing higher quality and more responsible establishments when you do go out.
Food, and the American relationship with it, is a complicated topic. Chances are that almost every tip that we mentioned above will be challenging for you to implement and part of a journey towards sustainability and a healthier relationship with and understanding of food. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get started today though. Pick one item off of this list and work to incorporate it into your life. From there, you can grow and expand your efforts to consume less.
Have another idea on how to consume less when you go out to eat? You tell us. Comment below or tell us about it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
