EXCLUSIVE I was a food delivery addict who forked over $4k per YEAR on takeout... here's how I turned my life around
A woman who ordered in takeout for almost all of her meals has issued a shocking warning to those who love food delivery like her - revealing she wasted thousands of dollars per year, gained a ton of weight, and was left feeling 'sluggish and unwell' from all the fast food.
Like most young people these days, Sara Resende, now 32, from Memphis, Tennessee, used to order in takeout all the time.
After a long day of work and grand school classes, having a yummy meal delivered straight to her apartment seemed way more appealing than cooking.
But the habit ultimately resulted in her 'gaining weight' and wasting a ton of money.
She spoke exclusively with the Daily Mail about it, admitting that she and her boyfriend, who shared an apartment at the time, would order in about five to six times a week, spending roughly $350 a month on takeout alone - which adds up to $4,200 per year.
'After working 10 to 12 hour days as a PhD student, I just didn't have the energy to come home and prepare a meal. Ordering in felt like the easiest solution,' she explained.
They were also forking over hundreds of dollars on groceries that often went to waste.
'I was throwing away a lot of fresh produce - especially vegetables and dairy - because I didn't feel like cooking or didn't get to them in time,' she admitted.
'The worst part was the cycle: I'd go grocery shopping, feel hopeful, buy everything again… and it would all spoil in the fridge once more.
'It finally hit me that I wasn't just wasting food - I was throwing money straight into the trash.'
On top of wasting money, she said her health was 'declining.'
'I gained weight, felt sluggish, and would often feel unwell from all the fast food,' added Sara.
But everything changed when Sara was forced to move away from her boyfriend due to a new job.
She said suddenly being on her own in a new city felt like the perfect chance to make a lifestyle change.
She learned to cook - with the help of her grandma and the internet - and it completely transformed her body, mindset, and lifestyle.
'I [started by] keeping it simple and organized. I didn't try to make elaborate meals - I started with basics like pasta and veggies, chicken and rice, or soups,' Sara dished.
'I followed Instagram accounts that broke everything down step by step and tried to mimic their techniques.'
It also changed the way she looked at food and how she shops.
She continued, 'I started buying pantry supplies like pasta, rice, and canned goods in bulk when they're on sale.
'I also began buying whole chickens and asking the butcher to chop them for me.
'Even the carcass has value - I boil it to make broth, which I use as a flavorful base for soups or other recipes instead of store-bought stock or spices.'
By making her own meals rather than ordering in, she estimated that she saves between $250 and $400 a month.
But the best part? She feels so much healthier.
'I know exactly what I'm eating - no additives or preservatives, just fresh ingredients,' gushed the Tennessee-native.
'I make sure everything is properly cooked, which gives me peace of mind, especially with meat and fish.
'I'm also lactose intolerant, so cooking at home allows me to make everything lactose-free, which is nearly impossible with takeout. Everything has dairy nowadays.'
In the end, she hopes sharing her story will help others cut down on wasting money on takeout.
'Ordering occasionally is fine, but making it a habit isn't sustainable,' she concluded. 'Over time, it drains both your bank account and your health.'
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