Fast Food vs. Homemade Meal - Which is cheaper?

For the longest time, fast food was known as the cheaper and more convenient option. As you already know, fast food is definitely not the better choice for your health but is it actually the cheaper option? That’s what I put to the test recently. The conclusion might surprise you.

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Why Fast Food is So Bad For Your Health

Part of the reason fast food is so bad for your health is the additives and crappy inflammatory oils they use these days. It wasn’t always like that but with time it has gotten worse!

Here’s the ingredients for the McDonald’s fries:

Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt. *

Vegetable and hydrogenated soybean oil are two of the worst oils you can use for your health. They’re highly processed using chemical solvents to extract them and aren easily oxidized (unstable oils) which can then cause further damage to your cells & DNA. Whereas the fries I made myself are easily made with a few simple ingredients and high quality oils!

Homemade fries: Potatoes, Avocado oil or olive oil, Sea salt.

Some studies on fast food health impacts:

Fast food & depression: Higher consumption of fast food is also associated with higher risk of depression. PMID: 26508953

Fast food is linked to obesity: There is a positive correlation between BMI and fast food consumption, less physical activity, and intake of soft drinks. PMID: 24995170

Overall, fast food tends to be high in calories, lower in nutrients and also full of additives you won’t find in the homemade versions. That’s why I implore to make healthy versions of your favorites at home!

Here’s an example of something I made in the past. Today, I’m going to share a closer copy of a McDonald’s burger and fry combo.

Is fast food actually cheaper?

I put it to the test recently making a much closer copy cat of McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese, fries and a drink. Of course, mine also has way better ingredients. I even got a bun that’s higher quality and more expensive than many regular buns on the market which you can always swap for a cheaper one if you’re on a tighter budget.

How much was the McDonald’s Meal? 

What I ordered: Quarter pounder with cheese, medium fries and a coke.

The total: $9.56

How much was the homemade version? 

What I got at the store: Ground beef, a russet potato, a roma tomato, Dave’s Killer bread buns, cheddar cheese, and some green tea for my drink.

How much did it cost for the same serving as the McDonald’s meal?

Total per serving of the homemade: $4.65

As you can see, less than half the price!

You could also do a version of the homemade burger and fries for even cheaper. I still splurged on a few items like the bun! And let me tell you it is so much rewarding to make a juicy delicious burger yourself. You can even meal prep some for the week.

So how do you make this homemade version?

If you are looking for an easy breakdown of how to make delicious burgers and fries, I got you! These recipes are super simple and delicious.

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Classic Homemade Cheese Burgers

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon salt (or more)
• ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or more)
• 8 slices cheddar cheese
• toppings & buns of choice *tomatoes, lettuce, bun, pickles, etc

Instructions

1. Mix the seasonings in a bowl.
2. Add the ground beef to a bowl and mash it down. Sprinkle some seasoning evenly. Kneed into the ground beef then add more seasoning leaving a little left.
3. Form burgers into 8 round flat patties (you want them a little flatter than the final results as the grill will cause them to thicken up)
4. Grill directions: Preheat the grill to high. Once hot, turn the grill to medium. Cook for about 4-5 minutes then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until desired consistency/doneness.
5. Stove top direction: Add olive oil to a pan on medium heat. Once hot (wait till it’s hot), cook for 3-4 minutes flip then another 3-4 minutes covering with a lid the whole time.
6. Add cheese at the very end and let it melt on the grill or stove!

You’re going to love these easy to make juicy burgers!

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Classic Homemade Fries

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 1 russet potato
• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• dash of sea salt

Instructions

1. Cut the potatoes into ½-inch slices and then cut the slices into ¼-to ½-inch slices.

2. Preheat oven to 425 F. Toss the potatoes in the oil.

3. Transfer potato slices to a baking sheet. Cook for 15 minutes on one side then flip and cook for another 15-20 minutes (or until desired crispness).

4. Toss the potatoes in a generous amount of salt when done!

5. Enjoy.

I hope you found this helpful! Make sure to check out our Master Your Health coaching program for more meal plans, recipes, nutrition tips, optional workouts, accountability group + more much more. We also offer a grocery list feature in our coaching programs where you can adjust the meals you want and update easily.