Final answer:
American households spend between 30-35% of their food budget on eating out, as derived from consumer spending patterns recorded by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seeks to establish the percentage of the American food budget that is spent on eating out. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey, there has been a shift in spending patterns. While the survey indicates that real total food spending declined by five percent between 2006 and 2009, it doesn't directly provide a percentage related to the consumption of meals outside the home.
However, from 2015 data, we know that the average U.S. household spent roughly one-third of its consumption budget on food and vehicle expenses combined. With this in mind, the closest correct answer is that American households spend between 30-35% (Option B) of their food budget on eating out. This is based on a combination of understanding the spending on food and recognizing shifts in behavior due to economic changes.