Overwhelmed--Please Help With Meal Ideas

[derbygirl 0]

I'm single but for the last couple of years I've been cooking dinner for myself at night. I'm lost on how to create a meal of 6 ounces of food. Certainly I can eat a piece of prepackaged meat or cottage cheese or whatever...but how do I COOK for myself without wasting a ton of food??

[Loving-It 0]

After you prepare your meal, measure out 6 ounce servings, put them in freezer bags and pop into the freezer. Then you can just pull one out and have instant meal. That's the best way. You'll go crazy trying to cook just a 6 oz serving.

[sugarplum 0]

i make low fat spag bol n freeze the rest 4 when i need it, you can do this with lots of stuff saves on the wastage !!

[*susan* 1,709]

I was going to suggest the same thing, measure out your food and freeze the rest for later.

[Road Queen 0]

Derbygirl - yes, freeze lots of stuff in little snack ziplock bags. I freeze tons of black Beans, green Beans (blanched), leftovers, etc.

Cooking for one is challenging - yesterday I shredded fresh spinach, grated carrots, cooked black beans, cut up onions, tomatoes, etc and put it into ziploc bags.

Tonight I put everything in a bowl with tuna for a salad. I took 1 cup out for tonights salad - tonight I combined it with ranch dressing (and didn't finish it). I still have enough for a few more meals. Fortunately, changing dressing will completely change this salad. Between the tuna, beans, and spinach about 16 g of Protein.

I have to bribe myself to eat at night alot. I am tight tonight (totally stresssed) and had no appetite. Since I ate, I get to watch some dvds on my computer - I think its gonna be Mash or Rosanne.

Good luck. Celeste

[sallyjo 0]

I am married but am by myself a lot and I buy my chicken breast strips and talapia in bags and then put one piece in bags and freeze. Do steamed veggies and have left overs and make small salads. If my dh wants different either I or he will cook it for him. He was so funny the other day. He has'nt had cornbread since April and he said I am so hungry for cornbread and I said well for god sake why did'nt you say so. He said well I knew you loved it to and I did'nt want to make it."how sweet" but it does'nt bother me for him to have the things that I used to think I could'nt do without because he is my biggest supporter.

[Jachut 487]

I'd do the same, cook and freeze. And when you buy chicken breasts or whatever freeze in single portions. With chicken breasts I cut them in half thickness ways so you have an ordinary sized breast but very thin.

[PhotoNut 7]

If youre more of a microwave person, I have some ideas for you.

Gorton's frozen grilled (not breaded) fish fillets. I recommend these to everyone. They come in boxes of two, and cook in about 6-7 minutes on a plate (cover with a plate). I usually toss 1/2 cup of frozen veggies in a pan on high while the fish cooks. Easy, great Protein source, filling and low cal!

Gorton's also makes scampi in a garlic or lemon butter sauce. Toss around in a skillet while cooking some mixed broccoli, cauliflower garlic sauce type veggies. Then mix the two for a great dish, with left overs for lunch the next day.

Healthy Choice makes a great two entree meals that I rely on for lunches. The one I enjoy most is chicken and mashed potatoes. I usually have a bit of peas and carrots with it if I'm using it for a dinner. There are other options in those small meals, but I avoid pastas so I'm kind of limited. Still, its an easy 4 minute lunch or dinner.

A can of tuna on a nice tossed salad with no fat dressing. A quick and easy meal that's got a lot of Protein but is very refreshing for summer months.

Then of course, there is the crock pot. A roast or some sweet and sour chicken will make vast amount of dinners. Glad makes some awesome containers for freezing.

And finally, the grill. If you like to grill and if you eat pork, those boneless chops marinated in a ginger soy sauce and cooked on the grill are so juicy and fast. (if you have a gas grill) A chop with a nice salad, or some cooked veggies is splendid.

I hope these help.

[Poster child 0]

If you want to cook, I suggest buying Eating for life by Bill Phillips. The meals are easy, portioned controlled and delicous. Perfect balance of fat, carbs and Protein. For leftovers, it's great. I've been making those meals and do not have any problems cooking for one.

[Fauxnaif 1]

I agree with making stuff you love and freezing it in the right portions. I also sometimes eat a Lean Cuisine or something like that and save half for the next night. This allows me to not waste them.