13 Comments
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Kathryn's avatar

I had similar eating challenges in the first year after my husband died in 2010. Takeout options are pretty sad in my small town for a vegetarian, but I take myself into the nearby city once or twice a month for Japanese, Thai, or Greek food at small family owned restaurants. I make a pot of soup every week— 4-6 servings, and freeze at least two individual servings. I alternate soup nights with charcuterie style meals or big salads in summer and always have good bread and cheese on hand. I have learned that if I want veggies on my daily plate they need to be ready to eat so I always keep lightly steamed veg in the fridge now. At 69 I usually only eat twice a day— late breakfast and dinner whenever I get hungry in the evening.

Pam Johnston's avatar

I've learned that same lesson with veggies. They either need to be quick to eat (like baby carrots or sugar snap peas), chopped and ready to eat in salad form, or chopped and ready for a quick steam in the microwave. Otherwise, they never make it to the plate.

Kathryn's avatar

Yes! I throw the steamed veg into stir-fry, scrambled eggs or salads--so much easier than starting over each day. I always have steamed eggs and hummus in the fridge too, and way too many kinds of cheese! ;-)

Pam Johnston's avatar

Hummus is a regular part of my charcuterie rotation.

Kathryn's avatar

Inviting a friend to share a meal ups my game as well! And provides another home for any leftovers! The conversation always makes the food more satisfying.

Searching for the Words's avatar

I've got several of those cardboard junk mail flyers for meal delivery services stowed away - for the day I no longer have the stamina or time to cook. Not there yet, but they do seem like a good alternative to Door Dash. But take heart - even your grazing sounds somewhat balanced and nutritious. You are doing the best you can. ❤️

Barbara March's avatar

I live in a remote rural community where there are no meal delivery options. I have to be creative about takeout because local restaurants mostly serve

hearty, greasy meals. So, like you Pam I rely on a healthy breakfast, I'm lucky to have fresh ranch eggs, then snack on fruit, nuts and cheese until dinner, which is often leftovers from a day before when I felt like cooking. I'm happy to learn I'm not the only one. Thank you.

Jill Kelly's avatar

A little over one month since my wife moved to memory care and I feed myself through the same methods. Door Dash, charcuterie board, prepared meals from the grocery store. Yesterday I had a fleeting urge to make a big pot of soup, but it soon passed. I did meal delivery services off and on over the past few years with mixed results. I may try them again. It boils down to just wanting to be fed by someone else.

Pam Johnston's avatar

Exactly. That's the bottom line--I just want someone else to deal with this.

Merry's avatar

Try onedishcooking.com for when you want to cook.

Pam Johnston's avatar

Thanks for the link. I need all the suggestions I can get!

Notsothoreau's avatar

I just bought the Souper Cubes. They are silicone trays that let you freeze food into small portions. I think these will work out as I can cook what I want and freeze afterwards.

Philip Ruge-Jones's avatar

"Maybe I’ll figure out that my own needs deserve the same careful attention I’ve always given to everyone else." Amen!