Cooking For One
DMZ_1
Posts: 2,889 Member
Does anyone find meal preparation for one to be an unsatisfying part of single life?
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Replies
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Absolutely. I love cooking & baking for others plus making conversation while preparing or eating meals. I'm used to lots of leftovers now :ohwell:0
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It can be a pain at times but my upbringing was much different then everyone elses.
On the farm mom fixed meals and there was not much extravagance or variety.
As such I am perfectly content and 95% time do make enough of something to last a week or better.
Eating is pretty much a lifes necessity only to me so can get by that way.0 -
During the week, 99% of the time I make a quick protein shake for breakfast and dinner. I'll grab lunch with coworkers during the week to mix it up.
I have a large, brand new kitchen in my house (think granite/stainless/tile back-splash/etc) and have not prepared one meal in it yet. It just seems kind of wrong..0 -
Yes, I find it is a pain, particularly taking time to prepare healthy meals. I would do the protein shake thing but I get hungry after a few hours unless it is a monster shake. I am all about cooking up different meats, vacuum sealing them, and freezing them until I want to eat them. Then I prepare side dishes like rice or sauteed vegetables to eat with it. It is so much easier to just go out and eat, though (costly and caloric, but easier).
I am like Carl, I can eat leftovers for days and not care that it is the same dinner for days on end.0 -
Nah, doesnt bother me. I'm not an extravagant cook so I just keep it simple. Omelettes, sandwiches, Roast chicken/pork/salmon and steamed veg are my staples.
I more miss cooking together and eating together :brokenheart: I find that fun
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I love to cook and I make most of the food in the house for everyone.. That 5 people, 2 kids 3 adults. When my kids go to their dads house my sister and roomie know they are on their own. I make whatever I want for my self and thats it. Usually its somekinda stirfry with lots of veggies.. I loke cooking for just myself since no one else in my house likes spicy food (except my 6 yr old) and to be honest I get tired of cooking for everyone else0
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Yes, I enjoy cooking especially for others plus leftovers can get so boring after I'm still eating them 4 days after making them.0
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Not when I have two kids. I'm always cooking, and rarely for just myself. And because I oftentimes eat different foods than the kids, I'm usually making two meals for breakfast, two for dinner. And during the summer, two meals for lunch, as well. Plus I make a snack for them for school. I'm starting to think I live in that kitchen.
Tonight I made lasagna for the kids, with beef, brocoli and cauliflower. Plus a salad and cucumbers, fresh from a friend's garden. I then grilled some tuna steaks for me, and steamed what was left of the brocoli. Probably 90 minutes of cooking/cleaning right there...
To be honest, I love it when I only have to cook for one (me).
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With my son gone, YES I find that cooking is no longer satisfying. I still occasionally cook for others and that's sooooo much fun.
It's just not as much fun for me cooking when there's no one but myself to enjoy it, unless it's one of those rare moments where I'm not actually in a huge rush and can play around in the kitchen.0 -
I have been trying to watch what I eat for years now, so I like the idea of planning my meals, but most of the time, I don't care for things like chopping vegetables or cleaning pots. I mostly cook on Sundays and microwave for most of the work week, with a couple trips for healthy takeout around the campus so I'm not eating the same thing all week. I've only cooked dinner from someone else once in last couple of years. I need to throw a dinner party soon to show off my townhouse. I bought it a year ago and I've been waiting to fix things up how I want it before having people over... almost there (as long as nobody goes upstairs).0
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it sucks!! but then again... if i feel like just eating cereal for dinner, i can and it's easy!
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I hate it because I also don't like left overs. My many issue though is I love to bake but baking a whole pan of brownies is not good for my waist line.0
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Yes!! When I lived alone I always ate cereal eggs or PBJs.0
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On the contrary to that though, lately I have been dating guys who are picky eaters which I am not. I love my seafood, vegetables and cheese so it would be hard to cook for them since I make a lot of veggie quesadillas and grilled salmon.0
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I dunno.. I like switching it up. I love cooking with my partner or for him, but I also love cooking for myself because I know it's going to be exactly what I want and exactly what I need (in regards to my waist line, ha).0
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I enjoy cooking, but I do know what you mean. When my elderly landlady isn't in residence, I tend to cook something substantial at the weekend or early on in the week - a roast of some kind or melanzane/lasagne/quiche/risotto, and have that or variations on that theme for the majority of my at-home meals. Then I'll add some variety with quick things that require little preparation - pan-fried or grilled fish, chicken or prawn fajitas, or big greek or caprese salads. I also have cookathon days when I stock the freezer with meals in single serving bags/boxes, so there's always something easy to hand if I can't be bothered or have limited time. Trying to adapt a recipe for one serving is too complicated most of the time, so my freezer is my friend!0
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I know exactly what you mean. I may live with my folks, but they tend to prefer typical Indian (Gujarati) food. And I've been single a while.
I really enjoy cooking and trying different types of food. Making stuff for one can be such a chore! And even if I do cook the recipe for 4 (like most of them seem to be) they don't always keep/freeze well...0 -
Hate it! right now I think its whats holding me back because I'm eating out too much. I hate meal prep for just me.0
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Not really. I actually enjoy it . From my early 20's til my late 20's it was fast food, take-out every day. With my weight loss I am more self-conscious about what I eat. I like experimenting and trying new things. I still do eat out but not as often as I have in the past.0
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The best part about cooking one for one is not giving a damn how it looks like and there are no issues just using paper plates for minimal clean up and beign able to eat at the computer or tv or anywhere else.
But travelling and having to eat out alone so often (which absolutely sucks), cooking for just myself I barely notice0 -
The best part about cooking one for one is not giving a damn how it looks like and there are no issues just using paper plates for minimal clean up and beign able to eat at the computer or tv or anywhere else.
This!0 -
Absolutely. I love cooking & baking for others plus making conversation while preparing or eating meals. I'm used to lots of leftovers now :ohwell:
Totally. It's so much more rewarding if there are others around. It was depressing when I lived alone to make meals for myself and have leftovers for a week. Hence why I usually ordered something...and why I'm here on MFP.0 -
I love cooking, period. I've only ever been responsible for cooking for myself, having never been married or lived with a boyfriend, so for me, I don't know any different. I try to keep what I make to 2-3 servings, or cook things that can be reused in other ways, so that I still get variety.0
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As a man who lives alone, I am responsible for all aspects of meal planning. I shop for groceries and prepare all meals, with the exception of going out for meals, which does happen. However, the majority of meals are in.
When I feel up to it. I can make some real good meals. Last night, I made this Soy Sauce Chicken recipe. I took chicken breasts and coated them in sour cream, soy sauce and a bit of black pepper. It came out really well. I baked two breasts in the oven. One I ate at dinner last night and the second I will have as a leftover today with some grapes.
It's not a difficult meal to prepare by any means.
Grocery shopping and cooking are time consuming activities.
Many of my male ancestors in my family did not prepare as many meals as I have. My grandfather on my mother's side never cooked or did laundry. My dad wasn't preparing meals when married to my mom. My uncle and aunt have been married 40+ years, and my uncle has rarely cooked day in, day out. He has done some grilling from time to time, but never had the sole responsibility of meal preparation.
In addition to meal preparation, I have full laundry and cleaning responsibilities too.0
