Originally Posted by Losligato
It depends which costs you include in the equation.
For me the most important element is the heathfulness of the food. If I cook it, I know what's in it.
Today hydrogenated oils abound (ramen noodles). Sugars weasel their way into things that never had sugar in them (cheap pastas, secret sauce, salad dressings).
It is possible to save money by eating out nearly every meal, but are you saving in the end? All we have to do is look around us at those who sit down to their breakfasts, lunches and dinners with inexpensive, convenient food on their plates to find the answer.
And for us part of traveling is discovering a new culture. Food and culture are intertwined. Some discover this from their seat in a restaurant. Others, like us, find it from strolling through the open markets then trying our best to recreate the local speciality on our own.
How big of a deal the healthfulness of the food is depends on the length of the trip. If you are going for months it is a bigger deal than if you are on a shorter tour. I know that I will eat stuff on tour that I would probably avoid at home.
BTW: I really enjoy your website. (Machka's site too)