I can remember when I had my first apartment back in 1975. I didn’t want a roommate and was feeling okay with just me, myself, and I. My job at the hospital was a short block away, so I was ready to live my best 21-year-old life.
Of course, that also meant cooking my food. At that time, I loved Chef Boyardee’s spaghetti box. One day, while cooking spaghetti, I also had a chocolate cake.
This made a huge dinner, and I felt sick, so I opened the back door and went out in the yard to get some fresh air. Unfortunately, I locked the door behind me, and the front door was also closed.
To make a long story short, it was late at night, and I had to call a locksmith to return to the house.
Since I have osteoarthritis, I try to eat healthier to control inflammation. If you’re like me, you may feel too tired after a work day to whip up a four-course meal, and since it is just you, you may feel like hitting the drive-thru to relax and enjoy the evening.
This is where some planning can allow you to eat nutritious foods without spending an hour cleaning up pots and pans:
Small Portions, Big Nutrition: Cooking for One
Batch Cook
This sounds odd when you are trying to cook nutritious meals for one, but if you are like me, you want to fix something quick at meal time, and not have a ton of dirty dishes.
Pick a slow day and make up full portions of your favorite foods. Store them in the freezer; you are ready for just one serving. I like casseroles because they make a lot of servings and store easily. My favorites are baked spaghetti, tuna noodle casserole, and Harvest Chicken Casserole.
Don’t Forget Vegetables
Most freezer meals are casseroles, which may or may not include vegetables. Make recipes like Shepherd’s pie, and give them a healthy makeover.
This Healthy Shepherd’s Pie uses olive oil instead of butter, extra-lean ground beef, lots of vegetables, and a cauliflower-potato mash topping for a lighter take on the classic that’s still full of flavor!
Roasted vegetable burritos are great when you have a Mexican food craving. The bean filling is already nutritious, but adding rice, zucchini, and mushrooms makes it even better.
Freeze Sandwiches
I usually prefer a sandwich instead of a heartier meat entrée when I eat. Any sandwich without a mayonnaise base can be frozen.
Now that I am trying to practice portion control, I eat a half sandwich instead of a whole one. My favorite is, of course, peanut butter and jelly. You could freeze canned tuna, salmon, or deli meats like ham and turkey.
If you do freeze deli meats, freeze them in their original package. If you have already opened, lay individual slices on pieces of wax paper or paper towels, and freeze them in a plastic bag.
Prepare Salad in Advance
Put your salad together the night before, and it will be nice and cold for dinner. You may want to sneak some out for a work lunch. If you prefer more of a main dish salad, this recipe will fill the bill.
Save Room for Dessert
Chocolate Mug Cake is a real indulgence, and since it is just one serving, you don’t have to worry about overindulging and having a second helping. It’s easy to make, it’s chocolate, and it’s all yours.
I could eat apple crisp every day of the week and six or seven times on Sunday. This recipe is designed for two, but sharing is out of the question if you are like me, so I would probably have to make more for hubby.
Final Thoughts
Cooking nutritious meals for one may be challenging, but have fun with the process by remaking old favorite recipes. Thumb through your favorite cookbooks or research recipes online. Your healthy body will thank you.
