Help with comfort food that's 'good' for you

EmilyJackCO
EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
in Recipes
I need a little bit of help here. I have a kitchen full of makings for good food, but due to an excessive amount of grief, I don't feel like anything but comfort food, and would just rather not eat. But that's not much of an option, as I'm trying to make keep my calorie count up to the 1500/day, but not just slay that outright with going out and grabbing something instead of eating.

So I need quick and easy things to throw together for the next few days while I try to work my way through this overwhelming hurt of losing both my mom (6 weeks ago, her wake was last night) and my kitty of 15 years (she passed away while I was at the wake last night). This scale of mourning sucks like you can imagine, but I'm not willing to make myself sick or go the other way and gain another 10 pounds like I did when my mom got sick and passed. So far, I'm up only 1/2 a pound with 2 Christmas dinners and a traditional Irish wake (it helps that I don't drink).

I have all manner of sorts of wonderful things on hand, including both a rice cooker and a crockpot, but one cannot live on oatmeal and brown rice alone. I have some specialty items that I need to use up too, I also have protein supplements in both chocolate and vanilla. I'm not afraid to cook, I am really good at it actually, I just don't have a whole lot of wherewithall to do it right now.

Replies

  • cdspark
    cdspark Posts: 56 Member
    Very sorry about your mom and your cat.
  • cindywomack1
    cindywomack1 Posts: 33 Member
    Oh hun, I am so sorry! How about a hearty pot of stew - made in the crockpot. Maybe some turkey meatloaf. Shepherds Pie made with turkey?

    (((hugs)))
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
    Oh hun, I am so sorry! How about a hearty pot of stew - made in the crockpot. Maybe some turkey meatloaf. Shepherds Pie made with turkey?

    (((hugs)))

    Thank you guys so much, it's been a really tough year. I can actually do the stew idea for tomorrow - that's a great idea. I wish I had leftovers, but we've done all the dinners somewhere else. That would make things SO much easier. Well, maybe not. ;)
  • firemanfive0
    firemanfive0 Posts: 228 Member
    Tomato soup and grilled cheese...lower cal bread and 2% american cheese makes these come in at a reasonable level.
  • libbymcbain
    libbymcbain Posts: 206 Member
    Really sorry to hear of your loss. Take care.

    How about rice pudding with apple sauce? Rice, milk, a little honey, some spices(cinnamon or ginger or cloves or vanilla), add some vanilla protein powder, cook in crockpot for a bit. Cut up some apples (with skin still on) add a little water and some spices (see above) or citrus zest, cook until apples fluff up. A big bowlful of that will be really comforting and if you use low fat milk and beef up the protein with the protein powder it won't be too unbalanced. Keeping the skin on the apples will help keep the fibre content up.

    A old flatmate of mine used to make chicken soup as her comfort food. chicken stock, a few finely chopped veggies, a little bit of udon or lentils. Satisfying, warming and comforting.

    Look after yourself xxx
  • jennfranklin
    jennfranklin Posts: 434 Member
    Try "mock mashed potatoes" Made with cauliflower, fat free half and half and a little real butter! Or butternut squash french fries!!
  • jennfranklin
    jennfranklin Posts: 434 Member
    I am so sorry for your loss! So very sad! :flowerforyou:
  • StephCoff1969
    StephCoff1969 Posts: 357
    Oh sweetie I am so sorry for your loss ((HUGS))...
    You can do a nice chicken soup with tons of veggies in the crock, and whatever you don't eat; freeze and pull out another day...
    Or a pork roast with some thyme, cayenne pepper and some onions, bell pepper... When done you have shredded pork
    Sorry I am really bad at coming up with food...
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
    I really appreciate all the suggestions! I am actually having a quesadilla and tomato soup! :) And I love the ideas - I have a few plans and I really want to try the rice pudding idea, I can make that so yummy. I think I even have some coconut cream somewhere in the back of my pantry to make it just a tiny bit more like the Philipino version my friend makes. Cut that with almond milk maybe.

    I bet I can make my poached chicken in the crockpot too and it be way easier, and then I can do a lot of throw-together stuff. You guys are the best... thank you so very very much.
  • EmilyJackCO
    EmilyJackCO Posts: 621 Member
    Try "mock mashed potatoes" Made with cauliflower, fat free half and half and a little real butter! Or butternut squash french fries!!

    I knew I forgot something at the store! I meant to do this... I actually learned to make this when I was a little girl, we used it in everything! One of my favorites was mashed cauliflower and cornmeal-battered smelt. You can't tell I grew up in San Francisco. :P
  • BrotherBill913
    BrotherBill913 Posts: 662 Member
    Sorry for your loss. Not a day goes by I don't think about my Mom but I promise it does get better, :)
  • annepage
    annepage Posts: 585 Member
    Really sorry for your losses. It's great that you aren't giving into the grief and are trying to keep yourself fed and healthy. Please keep it up. I don't have ways in the much of comfort, but here are a couple of ideas for simple things you can eat.

    Ice cream substitute-fat free/1 % vanilla yogurt with dark chocolate chips and peanut butter
    Mashed butternut - roast with olive oil, bit of salt and pepper, mash in bowl and add a touch of cinnamon
    Baked oatmeal- http://www.wholeliving.com/132164/baked-oatmeal
    Enchisagna-cooked, shredded chicken, shredded low fat cheese of your choice, canned enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, olives (layer in casserole dish) bake in oven at around 350-375 F until the cheese melts (I usually eyeball it)


    Hang in there.
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    I am so sorry for your losses. How tragic.

    I just bought a cook book called Vegan Diner. It is full of comfort foods that were made into vegan, so typically they are less fatty and lower in calories than meals made with dairy and meat. Even if you aren't vegan there are a lot of appealing recipes in there. It is worth a shot. I make mac n cheese using no cheese at all and it is just as satisfying.
  • biolicious
    biolicious Posts: 13
    Keep your chin up :/

    my fav healthy comfort food: http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=100491
  • Kymmu
    Kymmu Posts: 1,650 Member
    Sending love to you-
    How about some split pea and ham soup in the slow cooker?
    http://recipes.coles.com.au/recipes/1234/ham-hock-and-split-pea-soup/

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