Hate Cooking! No cook meals/recipes

smarieallen85
smarieallen85 Posts: 535 Member
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
Yeah yeah yeah. I tried it. Don't like it. Don't want to do it. I hate cooking and the last thing I want to do after a full day of work and an evening at the gym is COOK. I've gotten by on big salads for dinner and cottage cheese and fruit for lunch but I seriously need to spice things up.

Anyone have any fun ways to put meals/salads together that are low cal and don't involve much cooking? I'm talking like a creative way to eat tuna, etc. (I get cranky when I have to hard boil eggs).
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Replies

  • Meerataila
    Meerataila Posts: 1,885 Member
    Grocery shop on your day off. Chop all your fresh produce up and put it in the fridge in containers. When you're ready to eat it on a workday, grab a few handfuls out of each container and throw it on a baking sheet, and stick it in the oven to roast. Takes a few minutes because you already did the chopping on your day off. You can drizzle olive oil or coconut oil on it if you want or sprinkle it with chili powder or salt or whatever, maybe have it with some salsa (if you want homemade salsa you can make that on your day off too, it will keep in the fridge). The only thing I haven't tried to store pre chopped is potatoes, I just cut up some yellow or russet real fast and toss it on the baking sheet with the rest of the veggies.

    Another option is a crock pot which will do your cooking for you all day while you're at work.
  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    One of my favorite quick meals is Tyson ready cooked chicken breasts, cheese, guacamole and/or salsa on thin corn tortillas.
    Sometimes I stir fry some frozen veggies with the Tyson ready cooked chicken & nuke some 90 second rice...about 5 minutes total & only 1 skillet. Or just warm the veggies & chicken in microwave & pour over rice.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,944 Member
    Just the one recipe comes to mind. I do this with leftover chicken, but you could do this with canned chicken. I skip the tortilla chips. A double serving without the tortilla chips is around 350 kcals and makes a satisfying dinner. It's just a mechanical combination of chopped chicken, an avocado and a jar of commercial salsa. Throw in an extra tomato to bulk it up for very few cals.

    http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/avocado-chicken-salad-50400000120282/
  • smarieallen85
    smarieallen85 Posts: 535 Member
    No you don't understand....I'm not going to roast anything. I'm not going to use the oven at all. Maybe once every 3 months. Thanks though.
  • Whiskey2206
    Whiskey2206 Posts: 189 Member
    How about 1 can tuna, 1 med. onion, 1 apple, 1 cup romaine lettuce, and 1 1/2 tsp antipesto...1 tsp miracle whip (optional) and 2 slices Rudolph's Bavarian bread low sodium. Chop all ingredients and mix. Take half mixture and make a sandwich. Other half can be for within the next couple days. You don't have to cook anything.
  • Swiftlet66
    Swiftlet66 Posts: 729 Member
    Just buy pre-cooked/boiled meats like chicken at the grocery store , along with lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and tortillas/bread and you can make a chicken wrap or sandwich. Shred the chicken up, put in a blender with some avocado and seasonings, blend it up for an avocado-chicken spread/salad. Tuna and avocado goes well together too. Cutting up stuff, prepping food, and washing is okay for you, right?? That doesn't technically count as cooking imo. lol.

    You can always buy canned beans as well, rinse that under water. Go to Panda Express and buy their pre-cooked rice and then get some shredded cheese, lettuce, chopped tomato, salsa, and you got yourself a burrito. Without being able to boil or steam, it's hard to come up with more ideas. If you can at least boil or steam, there's a lot more options.... especially with simple things like boiled eggs! There's tons of simple easy meals with just using boiled eggs. FYI, 1 tsp curry powder + 1 boiled egg + 1/4 large avocado + salt/pepper, mashed, in a tortilla = heaven on earth!!
  • Whiskey2206
    Whiskey2206 Posts: 189 Member
    Here's another: 2 Charras Chipotle toastadas, chickpea/garlic hummus (homemade if you can, no cooking just puree) 1 red pepper, 3/4 cup kidney beans, lime juice. Take the 2 Chipotle toastadas, spread the hummus on top, add pepper and kidney beans and top with a little lime juice.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Crock pots are your friend. The most work you'd have to do is chop some stuff up, throw it in with some water/broth and turn it on. Walk away, 4-8 hrs later you have a great meal waiting for you at the end of the day. You can find some great CP recipes online.
  • JustFindingMe
    JustFindingMe Posts: 390 Member
    I buy salmon and turkey burgers. They are filling, full of protein and taste so great! Pan fry them in a tsp of olive oil, easy!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Have you considered meal prepping on (for example) Sunday for the week? Yeah, it's still cooking and all, but at least you'd be doing it on 1 day.
  • mcaila
    mcaila Posts: 33
    Lately I've been throwing spinach, goat cheese, fresh cherries (chopped & pitted), and some boiled chicken breast together with some raspberry vinaigrette. Makes for what I think is a sweet & delicious salad and takes all of 10 mins to make.
  • kmsnyg
    kmsnyg Posts: 100 Member
    Agree about the crockpot.

    I buy flank steak, or chicken breasts or chicken thighs, throw them in the crock pot with some salsa and I get protein for at least four meals.

    Then I steam veggies in the microwave or throw the meat on a bed of greens.
  • MlleKelly
    MlleKelly Posts: 356 Member
    There are lots of really great "raw" cookbooks out there that are recipes without having to cook at all. It's actually a lifestyle much like veganism or being paleo. Get on amazon.com and search cookbooks for "raw diet" or "raw eating".

    EDIT: OR you can contact me regarding open-and-eat or add two ingredients or less meal options from Tastefully Simple...I'm an independent consultant because I LOVE how easy it is to create simple, delicious meals for myself and my husband.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I eat a lot of salads, eggs, and hot dogs. I'm also lazy and hate cooking. I made cheeseburgers on the stovetop on Friday and it was too much work (but tasted great).
  • PennyVonDread
    PennyVonDread Posts: 432 Member
    Maybe raw vegan cook books would benefit you. You can look at meal recipes online. No cooking involved, and if vegan isn't your thing and you need protein, you can find a way to throw in a can of tuna, cooked chicken breast, etc.
  • puremuscle56
    puremuscle56 Posts: 4 Member
    how about a blender? Or is that too close to the stove? Smoothies are great. Lots of choices. I like Greek yogurt, skim milk, peanut butter. one banana and some protein powder. But there are lots of options. Five minute meal and easy clean up.
  • aylajane
    aylajane Posts: 979 Member
    Right there with you!!! More than 3 steps or 3 ingredients and its cooking. end of story. I can do my own taxes, fix my lawn mower, build a computer from scratch... but stick me in a kitchen and I become a complete moron. I used to have a "gas station" diet - I only ate what you could buy at a gas station... I have progressed a little... but still no cooking in general.


    Rice cakes anywhere you would use bread. They add no flavor but salt, absorb the flavor of anything you put on them, and make a handy saucer you can eat. All for 35 cal each. Some ideas for using them with mostly just a micro at best:

    1) 2 slices ham plus cheese and BBQ sauce on one and microwave a few seconds. 150 cal. I have eaten 3 of those for dinner :)
    2) Rice cake with chocolate JIF whipped peanut butter - about 100 cals.
    3) Rice cake with fried egg on top (rare, as I hate actually making the egg) and cheese.
    4) Rice cake with tomato sauce, big slice of canadian bacon and slice of provolone cheese (think "pizza").
    5) Flavored rice cakes (chocolate, apple cinnamon etc) with sugar free preserves and whipped cream on top.

    Benefit of rice cakes for people like me? They dont mold forever. I throw out an amazing amount of bread, bagels and english muffins cause I never get through the bag in time. Rice cakes are basically styrofoam and last forever.

    Also cold cereal works for dinner. or lunch. or a snack. Use unsweetened almond milk to cut some cals. Mix milk with protein powder to up your protein.

    I also buy the tyson fully cooked chicken and such where you only have to microwave for a minute. There are also fully cooked hamburgers with cheese already in them in the frozen stuff that you can just micro for a minute too. You know, in case you want "real" food.

    ANd if you can afford it... order a 8oz ribeye steak at some restaurant. Take it home, cut into 3 servings. Dinner for 3 nights. One of those "steamable" bags of veggies you microwave and you almost have a real "homecooked" meal :)
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    I would work on changing my attitude toward cooking. I am also super busy during the week and do not want to come home from work and cook. So I batch cook on the weekends. My boyfriend and I often do it together and get an assembly line going of Ziplock containers with the screw on lids. We listen to music and drink a little wine and dance in the kitchen. By the time we are done, we have his freezer and mine full of all kinds of tasty and easy to prepare single serve meals.

    Then during the week, I just have to steam, grill, or roast veggies, cut up fruit, etc.

    It is very hard to continue through life without home-prepared foods. Too expensive, not always the best nutrition, and not always that tasty.
  • smarieallen85
    smarieallen85 Posts: 535 Member
    I would work on changing my attitude toward cooking. I am also super busy during the week and do not want to come home from work and cook. So I batch cook on the weekends. My boyfriend and I often do it together and get an assembly line going of Ziplock containers with the screw on lids. We listen to music and drink a little wine and dance in the kitchen. By the time we are done, we have his freezer and mine full of all kinds of tasty and easy to prepare single serve meals.

    Then during the week, I just have to steam, grill, or roast veggies, cut up fruit, etc.

    It is very hard to continue through life without home-prepared foods. Too expensive, not always the best nutrition, and not always that tasty.


    Yeah! that's a nice suggestion but I just don't want to. Just asking for recipes. Batch cooking on a Sunday would be something I could do maybe once a month.
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    Yeah yeah yeah. I tried it. Don't like it. Don't want to do it. I hate cooking and the last thing I want to do after a full day of work and an evening at the gym is COOK. I've gotten by on big salads for dinner and cottage cheese and fruit for lunch but I seriously need to spice things up.

    Anyone have any fun ways to put meals/salads together that are low cal and don't involve much cooking? I'm talking like a creative way to eat tuna, etc. (I get cranky when I have to hard boil eggs).

    I'd posted an easy way to prep salads here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1380615-sandwich-alternatives?hl=sandwich#posts-21011653


    Or you could opt for pre-ordering your meals:

    https://www.plated.com/
    http://healthyeater.com/diet-food-delivery-services
    www.blueapron.com
    www.portablechefnyc.com

    If you're close to NJ, CT, PA ~ dreamdinners or look up any relevant location here: https://dreamdinners.com/main.php?page=locations
  • Mangopickle
    Mangopickle Posts: 1,509 Member
    3/4 c dannon light and fit Greek vanilla yogurt, 1/4 c dark chocolate Cheerios, 1/2c blueberries. 16g of protein and only about 160 calories. Cup and a half of food and plenty of fiber to fill you.

    1 can tuna or salmon or chicken or packet of surimi (fake crab) drained, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, diced celery, 1/4 cup frozen corn, 1/4 cup frozen edamame, tsp pickle relish, salt pepper,stir

    Any Wasa cracker spread with any soft cheese topped with sardines or smoked oysters/clams or sliced turkey smoked sausage or smoked salmon.

    Cowboy caviar

    Hummus or Baba ganoush served with pita, tabbouleh, kalamata olives and feta. Ziyad is the brand I buy.

    Celery sticks stuffed with yogurt dip wrapped in light bologna.

    Seafood depts will steam, shrimp,lobster and crab for you.

    Hard boiled eggs are routinely in the deli section now

    Hormel precooked bacon. Nuke 20 sec in micro on paper towel to heat it and put on a raisin bread peanut butter and fig jam sandwich.


    Stuff avocado halves with drained crab, drained canned grapefruit segments and sliced black olives, drizzle with Russian dressing.

    Clam dip with black olives and marinated artichoke hearts on blue corn tortilla chips.
  • rosestring
    rosestring Posts: 225 Member
    I feel your pain. I hate cooking. As a result, I spend way too much money on fast food and have slowly but surely gained at least 10 pounds in six months after I stopped eating home-prepared foods. I hate to break it to you, but it really is a necessity to cook at home. Not just for weight loss, but for financial reasons and all-around health, too.

    What I started doing to relieve this was just buying a bag of already prepared stir fry veggies, and just put them in a skillet over a stove top with just a little bit of a stir fry sauce added in, such as teriyaki sauce. It may not sound great, but if it gets you used to cooking, it may be a start.

    Trust me, I still struggle with the same dilemma.
  • jaena4
    jaena4 Posts: 175 Member
    This is tasty and easy and requires only smushing, no cooking. In a bowl, mash together whatever of the following you have on hand: black beans (or pinto I suppose), some salsa, maybe some cherry tomatoes, avocado, olives, onions, peppers, cheese, sour cream, or whatever else "Mexican-y" you have laying about. Of course, you want the beans and salsa to be the main components, cuz they have the most nutrition; add a small amount of the more calorific ingredients. Spread on a whole wheat tortilla, eat with baked chips, or eat with a spoon!
  • I don't personally have one, but I've heard great things about slow cookers! And I keep seeing tons of recipes for slow cookers online. Makes me want to get one :)
  • disneygallagirl
    disneygallagirl Posts: 515 Member
    I would buy cooked meats....A whole cooked chicken even and re-heat, use in salads or sandwiches. Also...think about a crock pot....easiest recipe. ..Put in fresh or frozen chicken breasts, jar of salsa and can of corn (or frozen) and optional can black beans....no cutting or prep. ..faster than making a sandwich. :)
  • aylajane
    aylajane Posts: 979 Member
    I feel your pain. I hate cooking. As a result, I spend way too much money on fast food and have slowly but surely gained at least 10 pounds in six months after I stopped eating home-prepared foods. I hate to break it to you, but it really is a necessity to cook at home. Not just for weight loss, but for financial reasons and all-around health, too.

    What I started doing to relieve this was just buying a bag of already prepared stir fry veggies, and just put them in a skillet over a stove top with just a little bit of a stir fry sauce added in, such as teriyaki sauce. It may not sound great, but if it gets you used to cooking, it may be a start.

    Trust me, I still struggle with the same dilemma.

    oh my - that is still cooking to me :) the words "skillet" and "stovetop" or even worse "slowcooker" make me cringe. Not only am I completely inept (and I could seriously tell you some stories that would make you just shake your head and think I shouldnt be allowed around the sharp scissors), but I have *zero* interest in even attempting it. Its like telling someone they HAVE to pick up a hobby they hate. If there is a way to get around it, there is no need to do something you truly hate. I wouldnt do exercise I hated either. I will do what fits in my life, my interests, I can tolerate and/or enjoy, and that gets me to my goals.

    And you do NOT need to cook to lose or maintain weight loss. Calories in/out, get your protein (I get over 150g a day! Mostly protein powder, but it doesnt really matter). It may require a little more creative thinking and definitely requires lowering your "taste" standards a bit (honestly, I just dont care - I eat because its time to eat... what I eat is a lot less relevant to me!) but it is no different than if you cook... pay attention to macros and micros and calories and you are all good.
  • aylajane
    aylajane Posts: 979 Member
    Oh - some groceries stores in the deli section (i.e. walmart does) have hard boiled eggs already cooked and peeled. Costs more, but worth it to me. The other "trick" is to have my mom make me a bunch when she visits (I am 42 yrs old :) ). I have also made an arrangement with my mom - I buy a big package of frozen meat, send it home with her, and half of it comes back cooked (put in fridge and reheat throughout the week). She gets free food, I pay for double the food but get it delivered to me already cooked :)
  • _funrungirl
    _funrungirl Posts: 145 Member
    Try and find a place where you can order premade meals online or find a good take away place. Here in the Dallas, TX area, there are a couple of options but are expensive:

    My Fit Foods - Complete healthy meals
    Eatzi's - All Takeaway (some healthy choices, some not)
  • tiona83
    tiona83 Posts: 99 Member
    My solution is find a friend that loves cooking. :) I personally love to bake. I think you need a friend who is like me that loves to bake and has to give it away so she will not eat it all herself. Sure you could work out some exchange or something. My go to for lunch a lot is apples, cheese and crackers. Easy peasy lemon squeeze. I have see loads of people doing the salads in a jar. http://www.theyummylife.com/Quinoa_Salad_In_A_Jar

    I love tuna with pepper and a squeeze of lime. Best of luck on your solution for your problem.
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