New TikTok Cooking Hack Goes Viral
A TikTok hack has taken off, gaining over 3.7 million views and 15,000 comments. The key, according to its creator, might be as simple as not changing out of your work clothes immediately after getting home.
Saadiq Ali, 27, from Flint, Michigan, explained, “When you get home, you have to go back to the kitchen right away. I still wear my work badge.” In her late October video, while dressed casually with a jacket and handbag, she humorously mentioned she can take her shoes off but can’t just sit down—she feels the need to start cooking immediately.
In the video, she demonstrates peeling potatoes, kicking off her meal prep right from the counter. Ali works at a credit union and shared that since starting this cooking routine, she has noticed a significant drop in her takeout habits. “I realized this hack helped—I was ordering out much less, thanks to having leftovers,” she told Fox News Digital.
She highlighted, “Takeout can be pretty pricey these days, often between $6 to $20 per meal. Planning meals and grocery shopping just once a week can save you around $60—and a lot of calories, too!”
Ali attributes her work ethic to her upbringing. Growing up in a General Motors family, where her mother worked for the company, she often watched her juggle shifts and family meals, cooking while still in her work clothes. “It made an impact on me,” Ali recalled. “I had to recreate that image.”
The unexpected popularity of her video caught her off guard; she never anticipated such a reaction. Following its success, she received an air fryer from Ninja.
Many viewers resonated with her approach, noting that the mindset is key. One remarked, “If I relax on the couch for just 10 minutes after work… it’s over.” Another quipped about the principle of momentum: “An object in motion stays in motion.”
“Cooking in your work clothes sends a signal to your brain that there’s more work to do,” Ali reflected. “When dinner is done, then feel free to change into something comfortable and unwind.”
This perspective is supported by research on “momentum bias,” which suggests it can be tough to get back into action once you’ve stopped. Ali advocated for keeping that momentum going, allowing the work clothes to symbolize productivity.
Viewers shared additional tips, suggesting slow cookers or meal prepping on Sundays, which can simplify weeknight dinners. Some pointed out that those working from home could make use of lunch breaks to start cooking.
On the flip side, not everyone is on board with the idea. Some are skeptical, arguing that cooking in work attire isn’t always practical, especially for those in certain professions. For instance, those in healthcare shared hygiene concerns—they prefer to change out of their scrubs before preparing food.
“After riding the subway in New York, I can’t keep those clothes on,” one commenter mentioned. Another added, “I can’t handle cooking in my work clothes because of the lingering food smells.”
Despite the criticism, Ali sees value in the hack’s simplicity; it omits complex meal prep or subscriptions. “The feedback has inspired me to share more tips because small advice can make a difference for someone,” she concluded. “Sometimes, you just need a little nudge from someone else.”
