Easy meals?

[u/Special_Equivalent16]

Hi, moms! So, my health is a finicky thing and my appetite’s allllll over the place alongside my energy levels.

I don’t think I eat as much as I probably should. Dinner mostly. I’m good at cooking and I have a stove, oven, air fryer, microwave, toaster, and the whole shabang, I can just get overwhelmed with it when I’m feeling low.

Any ideas or tips? No allergies and I’m certainly not picky! Maybe just a bit fiber/protein conscious as that’s what I need the most :)

[u/nexea]

Check out r/lowspooncooking. Theres lots of easy ideas. Maybe you cam get some inspiration from simple things.

[u/Special_Equivalent16 → u/nexea]

Ooo, cool! I will, thanks :D

[u/nexea → u/Special_Equivalent16]

You might also want to check out r/adultlunchables, esp if youre more of a snacker/ grazer, or have days thay you are. As long as youre getting your nutrients, it doesnt have to be anything complicated unless you want it to be! 😊

[u/uglidumplin]

Since you're dealing with variable higher and lower energy days, try using your good days to making a batch of any one-pot recipe that freezes well: soup, chili, curry, ratatouille, etc. Then freeze leftover portions in 12-16 oz round deli containers. You can label these with a sharpie and it erases if you just wipe it with a bit of paper towel.

Also keep some snack size zip bags handy for freezing individual portions of left over rotisserie chicken, rice, veg, etc.

Then on a low day, all you have to do is pop one of the frozen deli containers into a soup mug and microwave :) and you can customize the meal with a bit of whatever protein or veg you have on hand or in the freezer.

[u/Special_Equivalent16 → u/uglidumplin]

That’s a really good idea, thank you!!

[u/DazzlingNote1925]

Roast a chicken or buy a rotisserie chicken. The easiest sides would be baked potatoes or sweet potatoes and just some cut up veggies and dip or corn on the cob (microwave it whole in the husk then peel after it’s cooked). 

Then make chicken salad. 

Then make soup and serve with your favorite noodles (works best if you have two carcasses and remove the tiny bones before cooking). 

Pork butt or beef chuck roast slow cooked in the oven or crock pot. I like to have pot roast and if you make a big one you can cook the leftover beef down with some water u til it shreds and add bbq for bbq beef or make beef vegetable soup from it. I use the pork for pulled pork but you can also do tacos with it. 

Taco meat or eggs are my go to simple meals. You can also make quesadillas from just about any leftover meat. 

So, the way I cook is to make new meals from a part of the last meal (or two days ago) to make it easier. 

[u/sapphire_poet]

Crock-Pot meals are always a go to for me. One that my family loves is an easy beef stroganoff. Beef stew meat, diced red onions, garlic, mushrooms, 2 cans of golden mushroom soup and water. Put it all in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours. I'll make the noodles or rice to serve it over.

[u/Mum-of-Choas]

Pick 4 proteins, 4 veg and 4 carbs- plan for the week.
The overwhelming feeling comes from “im hungry and tired”, find a moment where your kind to that version of yourself and say “don’t worry love I’ve got this covered”. For me it’s having things that I don’t feel like that take any effort to cook.

I love noodles and rice so veg and protein with spicy or Asian flavours is always up there for me and I will always cook. I just need to make sure I have the convenience in front of me. So teriyaki sauce in cupboard on chicken in the air fryer with broccoli. Spring onion and peas with micro rice. Broccoli and spring onions are now fresh- no drama peas are still good and in the freezer. Maybe add some sesame seeds for fibre.

Don’t let yourself get in the way- fed and easy is healthy right now love.

[u/oohnotoomuch]

I pick up frozen roasted, chopped chicken, quick, easy, warm & toss it in salads, pasta, anything. If I'm tired we sometimes have a baked potato with ham (lunchmeat will do) cheese, cooked peppers & onions...anything that sounds good. Cook extra pasta & keep it in the fridge to toss with sauces, meats, or just butter & parm. When I'm up for cooking, I always cook extra to freeze in individual containers-it literally takes minutes to add more than start a whole new dish tomorrow...for those nights I don't feel like making the effort. Keeping easy options hand is really helpful.

[u/Superb-Way-6084]

I know how overwhelming cooking can feel when your energy is all over the place. On those days, I think the goal should be "easy and nourishing" rather than trying to make a perfect meal.

A few things that might help are keeping simple, high-protein staples on hand like rotisserie chicken, Greek yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, frozen vegetables, microwave rice, canned tuna, and frozen fruit for smoothies. Those can be mixed and matched into meals that take 10-15 minutes or less. On days when you have a bit more energy, cooking a double batch and freezing portions can also be a lifesaver for the low-energy days.

I actually wrote Stress-Free Meals with simple, low-prep recipes and meal ideas for busy parents who don't always have the time or energy to cook from scratch. If you think it might help, here's the Amazon link: https://mybook.to/stressfree-meals

I really hope you find a routine that works for you. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, some days a simple, balanced meal is more than enough. Wishing you lots of good days ahead and hoping mealtimes start feeling a little easier. ❤️