In a country where apps make it so easy to order food, it’s become an epidemic.
As a former food orderer (I have gut issues and had to stop), I’m giving you advice that’s worked for me.
You know the feeling.
It starts as a little craving, maybe something salty, hot, and crispy.
Or creamy and cheesy and too good to make yourself. Y
ou open your phone, swipe a few times, and boom: fast food on the way.
It’s comforting. It’s convenient.
And it becomes a habit so easily that you hardly notice how often you’re doing it… until you look at your bank statement or your bloated stomach and wonder what happened.
I’ve been there.
More times than I’d like to admit. It’s a habit I had to break (that I’d formed over years).
There were weeks where I was practically fueling my life with fries and burgers.
And I kept telling myself, “Just one more time.”
But it was never just one more time. It was a cycle.
And it didn’t make me feel better — not physically, not mentally, not emotionally. It just made me feel stuck.
So if you’re anything like me and you want to stop ordering fast food without losing your mind, here’s what actually helped.
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1. Make Peace With “Boring” Food First
Here’s the honest truth: the more we expect our food to be exciting and delicious every single time, the more we rely on fast food.
Part of breaking the cycle is making peace with simple food.
That doesn’t mean you have to eat bland meals forever. It just means you stop chasing that dopamine hit.
Instead of thinking, “This isn’t exciting,” think: “This is nourishment. This is care.”
A basic veggie sandwich, boiled eggs with toast, or even reheated leftovers count. Sometimes, I just make a lentil stew or a chia pudding.
When you stop romanticizing every meal, you build habits that support long-term peace, not just short-term pleasure.
Try this: Bento-style lunch containers to prep easy, satisfying meals in advance.
2. Upgrade Your Home Meals (Just a Little)
You don’t need to become a gourmet chef, you just need to make your food slightly better than sad desk lunches.
Add a good sauce. Toast your bread.
Slice a fresh tomato. Use flavored deli meat or artisan cheese instead of whatever’s cheapest.
Suddenly, your sandwich hits different.
When I started buying slightly better ingredients, like honey-roasted turkey or potato buns, I stopped craving Subway.
My meals at home felt more special — without being expensive or difficult to make.
Try this: Garlic Aioli Spread or Everything Bagel Seasoning to instantly level up your sandwiches and eggs.
3. Keep Snacks Everywhere (So You Don’t Spiral)
One of the biggest triggers for ordering out? Getting too hungry.
When you’re ravenous, you don’t want to peel a carrot. You want Pad Thai.
Keep snacks in your bag, your desk drawer, and your fridge. Healthy ones if possible, but even a granola bar can save you from delivery doom.
I cut fruits in the morning (I mix apples, pomergranates and bananas) and I love it.
I started keeping roasted almonds, dark chocolate bars, and fruit pouches around.
Not glamorous, but they work. They buy you time to make better choices.
Try this: Mixed Nuts Snack Packs or Shelf-Stable Hummus Cups for quick energy boosts.
4. Time Your Meals So You’re Not Starving Later
Most of my worst fast food orders happened after I skipped lunch or forgot to plan dinner.
Once 7 p.m. hit and I had nothing prepped, I was already halfway through the DoorDash app.
Start planning when you’ll eat, not just what. Build mini meals throughout your day so you’re not battling hunger later.
For example, I eat breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, an evening snack, and dinner.
Sounds like a lot, but it keeps me full and balanced, and I no longer binge-order fries out of nowhere.
Try this: Digital Meal Planner Pad to plan your meals and snacks without stress.
5. Create New Rituals for Comfort and Breaks
Sometimes it’s not even about the food.
I used to order out just for an excuse to leave the house or have a little social interaction. If you relate to that, replace that ritual.
Go to a cute coffee shop with a book. Walk around the block while listening to music. Make yourself a latte at home and sit on your balcony.
I now go to my local café, order a $2 tea, and read for 30 minutes. It’s peaceful, affordable, and gives me the same cozy joy I used to seek from restaurant meals.
Try this: Electric Milk Frother to make café-style drinks at home for your break ritual.
6. Don’t Deprive — Just Delay
Instead of saying “I’ll never eat out again,” try “I’ll make something first — and if I still want it after, I’ll go.”
Nine times out of ten, you won’t want it anymore. Hunger is a trickster. Feed it something homemade first, and the urgency fades.
I do this with everything from pizza cravings to bubble tea. I tell myself: “Just make a grilled cheese first.” If I still want the delivery after, fine. But I rarely do.
I’ve even made lasagne from scratch (I enjoy it) and it lasts me a week when frozen because I pair it with a fresh salad that I also make from scratch.
Try this: Cast Iron Griddle Pan to quickly whip up warm, satisfying meals that feel indulgent.
7. Make the Cost Visible
It’s easy to ignore the financial drain of fast food until it’s too late.
Use a budget app or a notes app and track every time you order out.
Add up the weekly total. Seeing the actual numbers shocked me into making a change. I was basically eating a vacation.
Now, I limit myself to a monthly food-out budget. I even pull out cash and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Try this: Cash Envelope Budgeting System to physically limit your spending on takeout.
8. Make It Inconvenient to Order Out
If you’re seriously trying to break the habit, make it harder to fall into.
Delete the delivery apps. Remove your card details.
Turn off saved passwords. Heck, leave your credit card at home if you’re tempted during work hours.
The more steps between you and the food, the less likely you are to follow through in a weak moment.
I even changed my phone’s background to say: “Is it worth it?” It helps.
Try this: Budget-Friendly Lockbox Safe to keep your cards away when you want to avoid temptation.
9. Find a Nicer Place to Eat Your Homemade Food
Sometimes, the office kitchen or your cluttered dining table just sucks the joy out of meals.
Take your lunch to the park.
Light a candle at dinner.
Plate your food like you’re at a cute café. You’re more likely to enjoy your food — and less likely to say, “Ugh, I’ll just order out.”
I spent a bomb on some cute dishes a few months back and I use them diligently.
I bring my lunch to the park when the weather is nice. It makes leftovers feel romantic, not sad.
Try this: Reusable Picnic Blanket to romanticize your meals outdoors. I even have a post here on how to pack a cozy picnic.
10. Accept That It’s a Process
There’s no perfection here.
Some weeks you’ll eat out more.
Some days you’ll give in. That’s okay. What matters is progress — not punishment. Keep trying new tricks. Be kind to yourself when you slip. And celebrate every meal you don’t order out. It adds up.
Every time I make a better choice — even if it’s just skipping fries or choosing homemade tea — I feel proud. And that feeling is stronger than any craving.
Try this: Mini Habit Tracker Journal to track your wins and build momentum.
Final Thoughts
Stopping the fast food cycle isn’t about shame. It’s about reclaiming control — of your money, your health, your energy, and your routines. You deserve to feel good after you eat. You deserve food that nourishes, not just numbs. And you’re allowed to take it slow, one meal at a time.
You’ve got this. And if you slip? Just begin again. The next meal is always a chance to treat yourself better.
