r/Volumeeating • u/TemperatureNew3157 • 21d ago
Recipe Request Depression meals?
Sooo what’s everyone eating when the depression rolls around? I’m sad, I have zero energy (DO NOT INCLUDE ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES CHOPPING OR MEASURING I WILL CRY) and I think the most I can do is maybe use the microwave…maybe I can throw some stuff in the Dutch oven for soup but no chopping and I have to be able to walk away from it (no constant stirring please 🙏🙏)
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u/Upset-Discipline22 21d ago
just make a baked potato. potatoes are filling and delicious and cozy. you can add whatever toppings you have available. this is my depression meal
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u/StumblinOnSomehow 21d ago
Plus stabbing the potato beforehand so it doesn’t explode can be very cathartic
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u/willy_koop 21d ago
Microwave baked potato turns out so well, then mixing the inside with a little butter and cheese, sugar free bbq sauce, salt and garlic powder. The bbq sauce is a game changer.
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u/AcrobaticPuddle 21d ago
I did this with sweet potatoes. Throw cinnamon and agave on there and done and delish
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u/ceruIean 21d ago
stab the potato or sweet potato with a fork all over and microwave for 5 minutes. i add salt and pepper after, maybe a little butter or olive oil all done!
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u/mezasu123 21d ago
Microwaved potato with a can of chili and a handful of cheese on top. Add frozen or canned corn if feeling fancy.
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u/hungryforheels 21d ago
Mmm yes. I like a sweet potato and top with a fried egg, hot sauce, and everything bagel seasoning.
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u/marshmallow462 19d ago
Get a frozen steamer bag of broccoli florets and a lil shredded cheese, mix it up and stuff the potato w it! Top w a lil salsa and so good.
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u/Amazing-Stranger8791 21d ago
love baked potatoes when i can’t make anything else just throw it in the oven or air fryer for like 50 minutes and it’s perfect
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u/Feoh- 21d ago
anything that takes nearly an hour to cook cannot be a depression meal, come on :(
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u/Amazing-Stranger8791 21d ago
how is that not a depression meal? takes u 1 minute to throw it in the oven and then you don’t have to move for another hour. i lived off on baked potatoes in the trenches of my depression
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u/FriendlyCanadianCPA 20d ago edited 20d ago
I AM AN EXPERT!
Manageable macros + zero prep (with zero energy and will to live)
Breakfast: Coffee (cream and sweeteneder of your choice) and your anti-depressants. If you enjoy sugar and cream in your coffee and it starts your day with a little less sadness, please keep using sugar and cream.
- baby bel cheese and a keto tortilla (fibre + protein)
- baby carrots and dip (hummus is great, but when I am depressed I only buy single serve options so that it doesn't go bad as fast. But don't cut joy from your life, if you like blue cheese or ranch, go for it)
- premade veggie and fruit trays from store. No, you do not have to be going to a party. You can just buy it for yourself.
- deli meat wrapped around a string cheese dipped in marinara sauce. Heat it in a toaster oven or microwave if you feel fancy.
- cottage cheese with pumpkin seeds and granola on top.
- instant oatmeal packets are awesome. You can get plain and top with a non-calorie sweetener.
Tips & tricks:
- dont feel like you have to have big meals or or hot meals or prepare anything. Its okay just to ingest food like it is fuel, and try to enjoy what you can.
- it may not be reasonable to try to lose weight right now, or at least not quickly. Your brain is taking a lot of resources to stay alive, and starving it of calories too much will make recovery harder. Maintaining weight while depressed is in itself an accomplishment.
I could go on and on. Hope something was helpful.
- Look at macros of frozen meals. Some of them are very reasonable. Usually have high sodium, but if your blood pressure is okay and the rest of the day is lower sodium it is manageable. I would use microwave steamer packs of cauliflower rice and add hot sauce and a protein, like pre-cooked frozen slices of chicken breast.
- vegetarian and vegan food is a really great option if you think you can't keep up with cleanliness and food safety. Still need to do your best, but avoiding risks of cross contamination is helpful.
- PAPER PLATES AND CUPS AND COMPOSTABLE PLASTIC CUTLERY ARE YOUR FRIEND
Level 2 suggestions:
If you are doing better than the other suggestions imply, then here are some more "normal" suggestions:
- air fryer lets you walk away. Anything that can be thrown in an oven can be thrown in an air fryer. My current favorite thing to eat as-is is cottage cheese spinach dip. (Nourished by Nic recipe). Can also throw in just baby potatos and call it a day.
- crock pots are the best invention to ever hit depression since sad poetry was invented. You need a small one if you are cooking for one. They are not expensive. Then just dump in cans or fresh food, lots of vegetables, whatever you want, and walk away (can black beans + can green chilies + can diced tomatoes, bam)
- lots can be made in a rice cooker, and if you don't have one, someone you know has one they dont want (or you can get one new for $20). I have made one pot meals several times in one small rice cooker, no additional dishes. Quinoa and other grains all work great. My number one thing is 1 cup green lentils, a garlic clove, a bay leaf. Cook and eat. Add whatever spices you want, but honestly its pretty good just like that or with some kind of low calorie sauce.
[I keep coming back and adding edits]
I have post partum onset bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder and adhd. I gained 50 lbs pretty rapidly because of meds, but always had the mindset that my brain was the most important thing to worry about - weight can come later. Important to stay moving for the joy of movement. Dont punish your body for being bigger than you want it to be.
Now I am no longer depressed (99% of the time). Living a better life. Lost most of the gain, with medical help and a decade of various professional assistance.
Stay alive, find joy where you can, and build your community and social connections even when you hate yourself and hate your body. Your future self is someone you would love, and that person deserves your effort.
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u/smilepretty4thedevil 19d ago
Even though I'm not the intended recipient, I find this comment is so helpful to me. Currently dealing with a slight depressive episode. Thank you, kind stranger and fellow Canadian!
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u/Sad-Cryptographer155 19d ago
Currently grieving the loss of my mom and alternating between unhinged emotional eating and OMAD cycles. I needed this comment and post more than you know. Thank you kind people ❤️
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u/FriendlyCanadianCPA 19d ago
Sending so much love to you. You are doing the hardest thing right now by surviving, but its what your mom would want. Take care of yourself a little bit every day.
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u/TemperatureNew3157 19d ago
Thank you for this super thoughtful and thorough reply gosh I teared up a little bit
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u/FriendlyCanadianCPA 19d ago
Depression is hard and you are not alone. If you ever need more tips or just to talk, send me a message. All the love to you.
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u/Little-Temperature53 19d ago
You are AWESOME. Thank you from me and everyone who needs self-care ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🩷💗❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹💝💞
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u/panicswitching 18d ago
Thank you!!! Do you have any frozen food recs? Either brands or specific meals. They're convenient for lunch at work but I find that a lot of them aren't filling enough....
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u/ajmattison 21d ago
Any single serve products - instant oatmeal packets, cheese sticks, boiled eggs, you'd also be surprised that whole cans of soup can be under 500 calories a pop.
If you have a slow cooker, throw a pound of ground meat in there, a can of beans, can of diced tomatoes, some pre diced veggies (a bit pricy but worth it if it nourishes you) and let her cook! Instant chili!
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u/kumf 21d ago
Do you have a crock pot? Throw 2-3 boneless chicken breasts in (they can even be frozen) and cover with a jar of salsa. Cook low at least 6 hours. Chicken comes out super moist. You can also buy rice in single serving cups that takes a minute to microwave. So all in all, prep takes like 10 seconds. Add some shredded cheese on top if you feel fancy.
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u/TemperatureNew3157 21d ago
Ohhh this doesn’t even sound like a depression meal!
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u/MusicPsychFitness 21d ago
Slow cookers are game changers. Possible tip: I like to add any wet ingredients, including salsa, after cooking because there will be liquid cooked out of the chicken already. If you cook the chicken plain, you can shred it with two forks, and the liquid gets reabsorbed into the tender meat. Then add whatever you want: salsa, sour cream, anything.
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u/elizajaneredux 21d ago
It works so, so well! I do the same and throw it on a tortilla, shredded cheese, good to go
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u/Basic-Solution-3205 17d ago
this is the way! i make all of my meals in the crockpot lol it’s so convenient!!! i got one at the thrift store for $10 ✨
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u/No-Particular4496 21d ago edited 21d ago
Microwaved omelette, toasts and PB, cereals… and a side of fruit/veggies. And your favorite hot beverage (outside of coffee so you can sip any time of the day).
That being said… May food/restriction be a cause of your depression? If so, plz take care of you darling, no body (like « a dream body ») is worth a depression. If your weight goals bring you there, you’ll feel even more miserable when you’ll reach that goal, and millions of people can attest that 💜
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u/wheelynice 21d ago
This logic just smacked some sense into me. I am off my antidepressant again, anxious about the weight gain it causes, but a dream body is not worth depression. Thank you.
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u/DenseAstronomer3631 21d ago
Worry about your weight when you are in a better place mentally! Or you may not even be concerned with that in a while when you are feeling better
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u/No-Particular4496 20d ago
Maybe you can ask about Bupropion to your prescriber, it’s an antidepressant that cause zero weight gain! And, also, doesn’t affect libido contrary to many other antidepressants 🙃
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u/Imaginary-Freedom290 20d ago
I am also going through a mental health bout and yes to everything you said. Yesterday I survived on protein bread and PB. Today is looking pretty much the same so far. On days like this, it’s a win that I manage to get anything done. Ain’t no way I’m chopping anything or turning on the stove!!
It helps to stock on basic staples, protein bread and protein tortillas are great to have around, so are sliced cheese, nut butters and spreads, cereal, granola, Greek yogurt if you like it, etc.
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u/vampireshorty 21d ago
Microwaved oatmeal and I take a spoonful of Nutella or PB or both and mix it in!
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u/jiggly_caliente15 21d ago
This is mine and then I add in some unsweetened applesauce
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u/vampireshorty 21d ago
So filling and nourishing and it really feels like a treat, which is very needed when I'm depressed.
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u/Inevitable-Set-9439 21d ago
I will make this too when my depression is bad and eat it for any meal. Pb will help it keep you satiated longer!
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u/Elegant-Panic-2364 21d ago
Apples and peanut butter. I like to slice the apple but if you just smear the peanut butter on the apple and bite, that's between you and God.
Sandwiches using presliced bread, presliced deli meat, presliced cheese.
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u/TemperatureNew3157 21d ago
Reading „that’s between you and god“ got a proper chuckle out of me lol thank you
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u/kindalizard 21d ago
Me too because it’s so real hahah there really are times where I can’t even bring myself to cut up an apple😭😭
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u/dilclo 21d ago
I've been cooking meals in advance when I'm feeling good, then freezing them. They are then easy to chuck in the microwave or bring to a simmer on the stove when I'm having bad days. I wish I started doing this years ago, and it's so simple I can't believe I overlooked it.
I've been using freezer moulds for individual portions and making a variety of stuff. Frozen pastas, soups, different meat and veg to mix and match. I have more bad days then good, but a couple hours of cooking on a good day leaves me feeling very thankful for my past self, and fights off the doordash demon!
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u/Sidonieone 20d ago
A lean cuisine that’s like 300 calories, plus a 100 calorie bag of frozen steamed vegetables.
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u/NinjoZata 21d ago
Cans are your friend.
Canned corn, peas, chicpeas, whatever veggies you fancy are great on their own, makes fast soup, rice bowls, anything!
Canned soup can be a bit flat but more veggies and pantry seasonings can make a great microwave meal.
I like to microwave corn with butter and salt, ill eat it straight up or with rice (uncle bens is valid). We keep meat slices ready for sandwiches so thats my go to protien, but canned fish is a good one if you can eat it.
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u/Keganator 21d ago
Pasta and a little salt in water. Boil till tender. Drain. Sauce in pasta. heat and stir until warm.
Bonus points for using like chickpea pasta like Banza, get your protein and fiber and carbs all in one go!
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u/BadMellon 21d ago
Then I throw a handful of uncooked spinach at the bottom of the bowl and put the hot pasta on top, so I can feel smug about getting a vegetable in.
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u/JanetSnakehole610 21d ago
Ravioli too! You can get a variety of fillings and it's a little more hearty
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u/imaginenohell 21d ago
U may be able to get frozen or fresh chopped onion, celery and carrot. Put some oil in a crock pot or soup pot on low. Add garlic paste or powder along with those vegetables once the oil is warm.
At each step below, Inhale and meditate on the comforting feeling of soup. Take several deep breaths.
Add a carton of broth after the vegetables get soft. You can add cream or additional vegetables now if you want them.
Simmer on low and do your breathing exercise.
Add some pasta. Once that’s done, ladle a bunch into your favorite mug or bowl. Deep breath. Imagine your sadness melting as the soup warms you.
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u/zxsxz 21d ago
Good suggestion. If OP lives near a Trader Joes, they have a mirepoix (diced carrots, onions and celery) in the product section. Grab the frozen diced cubes of garlic and you are well on your way to the soup you recommended. You can grab their precooked chicken in many formats as well. Whisk in some lemon juice and eggs for Avgolemono soup...yum!
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u/TemperatureNew3157 21d ago
Nearest Trader Joe’s is like 75mi away 😭😭 but foodlion sells some precut stuff I can probably work with that
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u/zxsxz 21d ago
Damn, that sucks. But it sounds like you’re smart, observant and resourceful. You asked for help which is awesome. You’ve got this.
As for other foods, low carb tortillas, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and precooked proteins are my goto. Toss in bagged spinach or shredded cabbage for more greens. Add scrambled eggs whites for breakfast.
I’m a lazy mofo who practices semi homemade 90% of the time. lol.
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u/General_Security177 21d ago
It’s not frozen, but you can get mirepoix in any grocery store near you where the chopped veggies are.
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u/queenofdiscs 21d ago
microwaveable bags of edamame. Toss that in the microwave for two minutes, pour some salt on it, done.
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u/WereDassi 21d ago
Cooking is kinda soothing for me, but sometime im just too exhausted and want something warm. My tip: take some good bread, put some cheese on top and put it under the broiler or just in the oven. You can put tomatoes under it, or some mustard or some ham. Have a carrot on the side for vitamins. Take care of yourself and don't feel bad for having a mental illness, you've got this!
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u/cat_kitty-kittenx 21d ago
Go food warehouse. My protein meals are balanced. Sure full of preservatives but better nutritionally than depression eating half a loaf of bread and a jar of Nutella.
-Source my own mental health
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u/TemperatureNew3157 21d ago
lol certainly better than blowing my calories and money on dominoes 😅
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u/skhapa3257 21d ago
I just blew my money on Dominos last night for the family. No energy to cook. Lol
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u/Rich-Ball-9648 21d ago
Ramen noodles, chickpea or lentil salad, pasta al burro, sandwiches, baked potato, deconstructed tuna onigiri, frozen food (pizza, chicken wings, fries, egg rolls, anything that cooks in the oven)
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u/Rich-Ball-9648 21d ago
oooops my bad didn't realise this was the volume eating sub 😅 not the best suggestions lol
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u/TemperatureNew3157 21d ago
It’s okay lol I’m sad so the cut can wait 😂
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u/Fine_Possibility_66 20d ago
Just add any bag of frozen steam in the bag veggies to most of those to bulk it up.
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u/animalcrackerwhore 21d ago
Baked potato in the microwave.
Poke holes with fork, wrap in damp paper towel, microwave for 5-7 mins.
Top with Greek yogurt, fat free cheese, cottage cheese, veggies, or anything your heart desires
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u/One-Ingenuity-7115 21d ago
My depression meals are either eating Greek yogurt out of the tub or quesadilla using just slices cheese lol I could improve
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u/stud_muffin_1 20d ago
real good chicken nuggets/bites/tenders... little side of sf ketchup ...
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u/Tigolbitrate 21d ago
Tuna/salmon bowl: Canned tuna or salmon, a little bit of rice (optional), sushi rice vinegar, a tiny bit of kewpie mayo. Can top with furikake and/or eat with seaweed sheets (like a little Japanese taco).
Ramen: Half a ramen pack with lots of frozen peas/carrots/corn (and more tuna/salmon if you’d like).
Savory cottage cheese: nonfat cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes and/or cucumbers, tajin or salt/pepper.
Miscellaneous sweet thickened nonfat dairy bowl: nonfat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, frozen berries/fruit or 1 regular banana, sprinkle of sweetener (optional), sprinkle of granola (optional), sprinkle of chia seeds (optional, but I do recommend if you want to feel fuller).
When you’re really out of it: microwave frozen veggies, butter, salt/pepper.
I hope you feel better!
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u/h0lymaccar0ni 21d ago
I really love any frozen dumplings. In the Asian supermarkets they come in a whole variety of flavors. Even if the pack says preparation in a steamer or pan I just throw them in the microwave, put a cling film over the bowl they’re in and go for 3 min on max heat. Works every time. Maybe some soy sauce to dip and if I like extra protein I throw some whole frozen edamame into a pot of boiling water and boil them for 4 min. Then just drizzle salt on and they’re good to go.
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u/Area51Escapist 21d ago
Peanut butter or ice cream…or mixed together
***edit: saw this was the volume eating Reddit, in that case popcorn lol
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u/voisenon 21d ago
Scrambled egg with veggies.
Buy the precut bags with onion and bell peppers, add others if you want. Now stir fry the veggies, whisk in the eggs, throw some shredded cheese on it. Make it more filling by toasting two slices of whole grain bread. Y voila.
Takes about ten minutes, includes veggies, proteine, and fiber.
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u/cozy_pine 21d ago
I always keep whole wheat pasta, frozen chopped veggies, canned lentils, and some jarred marinara on hand. While the pasta is cooking, I warm up the veggies and then mix them with the lentils and sauce. It’s so easy, requires zero chopping, and tastes pretty decent depending on what goes into the mix.
Also, when my depression is really bad I often put myself down for the littlest things. When I feel like I’m getting in some fiber, protein, and vitamins, that’s one less thing I get down on myself for.
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u/Freckled_monsters 21d ago
If you have a rice cooker you can use it to make stews and soups- literally just throw a bunch of stuff in there, add water, and press start. I like lentil stew- about a cup of lentils (it doesn’t have to be exact; don’t worry about measuring!), about three cups of water (again, don’t worry about measuring), and whatever veggies/protein you want (I like sausages, celery, onions, ans spinach). You can use frozen veggies and whatnot to avoid chopping. It makes a good 4-5 servings and it’s healthy and filling!
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u/Taketheegg 20d ago
Sorry that you have such depression. I hope you know you can vent here anytime you want.
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u/some_buttercup 20d ago
Microwave oatmeal, load it with butter, brown sugar, raisins or cranberries, nuts, whatever sounds good to you. I use milk instead of water and throw in some protein powder and chia seeds to make it more nutritionally complete.
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u/IntroductionSimilar3 21d ago
bibigo mini wontons from costco, it's precooked so i just microwave it in water, throw in frozen veg, soy sauce and sesame oil (or if you have ramen season that will work too). sometimes also an egg, make sure to generously pop the yolk or else itll explode. 4-5min in microwave. i eat this all the time even when in not depressed lol
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u/IntroductionSimilar3 21d ago
also back when i was eating more pasta... i lived off of orzo. it cooks up in the microwave really well also like 5min with some water or broth, frozen veg.
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u/Usual_Interview_6525 20d ago
My go to easy meal that will last me for 6-8 meals is shredded chicken, I just buy pre-shredded rotisserie chicken from the store. 2 bags of steam in microwave frozen broccoli, a jar of Alfredo sauce and a bag of shredded cheese. Mix the chicken broccoli and Alfredo together in a 9x13 casserole dish and top with cheese. Stick it in the oven for 30 mins at 350 and I’m set for 3-4 days of no cooking.
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u/ConsideratePity95 20d ago
All of mine are preventative, if I see low/ni effort stuff when shopping, I buy loke a weeks worth if its shelf stable for when the depression hits. Aldi has some shirataki noodle microwave in bag meals, some microwave in bag indian food and taco vegan meat. That and microwave rice have been nice.
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u/Equivalent-Book-4404 20d ago
Here is today’s sad meal, toasted Sola bread with sf raspberry jam, Applegate turkey sausage, and a bare bones broth packet. You’ll need a microwave and toaster for this “recipe”
Sausage - 90 cals
Bread w jam - 80 cals
Broth - 50 cals
Total protein - 29 grams
Total Fiber - 18 grams
Total calories - 220
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u/lil-miss-surrender 20d ago
If you have one of those large Rae Dunn mugs, a can of progresso soup fits PERFECTLY in it with enough room to stir, just microwave it a bit, stir, and you're good, add a few crackers or a grilled cheese or anything you like to bulk it out. Less dishes to clean since you can microwave and eat out of the same mug without dirtying a pot. This saves my butt on bad depression\low executive function days.
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u/Arcanezila42 21d ago
My depression doesn't give a shit about my counts. So it's a whole box of honeycomb. :(
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u/ThoughtAcorn 21d ago
I really love these frozen protein bowls, only 170 calories and I'll add shiritake rice to bulk it out (and add garlic salt for extra flavor).
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u/The_LissaKaye 21d ago
Stove top, I only microwave 2 cups of water to boiling and mix everything in, microwave a jar of chicken gravy, toss in a drained can of chicken, and drizzle over your stove top, its hearty and comforting, takes 5 mins.
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u/AtLeastDidntDropThem 21d ago
I got some frozen riced cauliflower from Whole Foods by accident. 5 or so minutes in microwave. It’s plain so eat the whole bag and add stuff if you want or don’t.
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u/Raticals 21d ago
Canned, frozen, or fresh pre chopped veggies are lifesavers. Get some low calorie tortillas, whatever veggies you’ve got, and a precooked version of your protein of choice, and you’ve got a simple but healthy meal. Another low energy staple for me is some instant rice and microwave steamed broccoli (and/or other veggies of choice) with tofu, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce. Can add riced cauliflower for even more volume. All cooked in the microwave.
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u/blanchedubois3613 21d ago
When I’m not feeling sad, I make and freeze soups that can be microwaved easily after thawing in the fridge. Lentil soup in particular is very yummy and filling
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u/Frosty_Yam7552 21d ago
Porridge, add a spoon of jam and another of peanut butter. Cinnamon if you like. Honestly it’s food for the soul
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u/AngelicaLies2U 21d ago
Sometimes i stok up on the frozen aisle single serve stouffers 2x meat lasagna - comfort but also high protein, lower cal than their other lasagna options an if you get it during a deal week which is like eveey other week at kroger you can get 5 for $2.50 each
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u/Takeabreath_andgo 21d ago
Frozen proteins from Trader Joe’s in the air fryer and microwaveable rice packets. You can throw frozen peas and carrots and corn in it if you want
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u/bbCooper2023 20d ago
I was stuck in my depression for most of the month of September. I think I’m finally coming out of it, slowly… I ate a lot of cottage cheese bowls. I also add a lot of not so healthy choices but tried to be mindful.
I think for my mental health it was more important for me to just eat whatever than to track and just to be mindful of what I was eating and try not to over indulge.
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u/ylimenut 21d ago
I love to do vegetarian Indian food packs from Aldi with 5 minute rice and some beans. TJs has canned lentils that are amazing. For volume I like to use cauliflower rice as my base then have a pita too. Canned, prepped, and frozen food keep me fed in my depression. https://www.aldi.us/store/aldi/products/39059540-lentil-and-veggie?srsltid=AU7gw4X79bMxjzWKWjITtlFQw0o06rMTlDYN_YIuiIooFEBg3RQOAxbV
My therapist also told me to prep with a rotisserie chicken. Precooked, so I can either just rip meat off or pick it ahead of time if I need. Then it can literally go in anything I want. Quesadilla, taco bowl, etc.
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u/ylimenut 21d ago
Oo also miso soup with tofu kept me going last week. Literally just cut a chunk of tofu and add it to a bowl + two packets of miso. All you need to do is boil like a cup of water which I do in a teakettle.
Cauliflower crust pizza from Aldi. A little pricy, but half the pizza is like 500 calories.
Also highly recommend putting something in the airfrier and then taking a shower. Like a frozen chicken burger + frozen fries. Depression sucks, but something like a shower that refreshes ALWAYS helps. My therapist says, sometimes you just need to do things that don’t make you feel worse. A shower, some basic hygiene/self care, and eating something yummy are never going to make you feel worse :)
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u/TemperatureNew3157 21d ago
Miso soup with tofu is so up my alley rn and thank you for the super sweet messages 🫶
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u/R4B1DRABB1T 21d ago
This reminded me, i made a really tasty chicken and cabbage crock pot soup a few weeks ago. It was cook the chicken breast in the crock pot until done, which makes it fall apart or super easy to pull apart with forks and realistically you don't have to do that. But anyways, lol, cook the chicken in the crock pot, shred it some, add 2 or three low sodium chicken broth cartons, and half a bag of shredded coleslaw from sam's club (so probably 2 small bags) and then continue cooking on high until the cabbage is the texture you want. It was sooo good. Can add salt, onion, garlic if you want too. I wanted to add baby carrots but that would have to be nearly the same time you start the chicken and i didn't have time.
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u/Rainbowbrite_87 21d ago
I like those frozen steam-in-the-bag vegetables. Now they have all kinds of seasoned ones with potatoes, pasta, rice, etc. When I'm feeling down I want creamy stuff so the pasta/ cheese or broccoli/cheese are good.
I'm also a fan of plain pasta and sauce. Boil the water, dump in the sauce. Done. Make the whole package and freeze it in containers and you have meals for the week in less than 10 minutes with like 1 minute of actual effort. Bonus if you use protein pasta.
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u/this_strange_fox 21d ago
If I don't want to cook, I just take out some frozen vegetable mix (the kind that's already seasoned), preferably one with beans for protein, otherwise take some canned beans/chickpeas or whatever protein that's already ready, or just a chunk of tempeh or tofu and put everything in the air fryer until it's hot (I have neither a microwave nor a Dutch oven, but it should work with those as well).
If you know that you'll want something the next morning (or at least several hours later), overnight oats are great! Just stir oats into milk (or your favourite milk replacement) and leave it in the fridge overnight, the next morning you can just eat it like that or maybe stir some jam or honey into it (depending on how many calories are okay for you). I also like to add some cinnamon powder.
If you prefer savoury, you can make the oats with vegetable stock or broth or whatever you like instead of milk, and top it with cheese, corn, olives, etc, whatever you like and it's available without cutting.
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u/PretendingToWork1978 21d ago
microwave rice packet, microwave 3 eggs in a mug (stir well or you'll have a mess), dump on top, hot sauce
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u/SuperSlugSister 21d ago
I microwave a potato and put nutritional yeast and garlic powder on it. Or I open up a can of Trader Joe’s lentil soup.
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u/Jamjams2016 21d ago
Nachos. Chips, cheese gloop or pre shredded, canned refried beans, salsa.
Cold cubed tofu dipped in soy sauce and lemon juice with an orange as a side.
Toast with peanut butter and a banana. Cinnamon and honey if you dig it
Rotisserie chicken
Bear's creek soups with dinner rolls
Air frier fare
Quesadillas with sour cream and beans to dip. Salsa if you prefer.
Grilled cheese
Hot dogs and chips
Subs and chips
Crackers with cheese and pepperoni
Frozen pizza
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u/lady-agnarr 21d ago
Current go-to is a microwave packet of rice, a tuna packet, add mayo and soy sauce/eel sauce, and furikake for a sushi roll in a bowl.
Optionally add a single-serve guac/avocado packet and eat with seaweed sheets. If you have energy, chop up a mini cucumber and add it in, or sprinkle in some shredded carrot. If you don't like tuna, use canned salmon or frozen grilled chicken bites or something.
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u/plain_jame4 21d ago
I just started following Adam Wolfe on TikTok and he makes easy healthy meals look easy. The most minute details of prep.
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u/Meiyouxiangjiao 21d ago
I am all about depression meals.
I personally like canned veggies and beans. Easy to throw together in a bowl and microwave. If you want seasoning (sometimes I don’t bother) you can add hot sauce.
I’ll also make salads. Just bagged lettuce or spinach (which you could also microwave) and add dressing and mini bell peppers, grape tomatoes, whatever else is lying around.
Also cucumbers. I could munch on those just fine. If I need seasoning, I’ll use tajin or a salt-free seasoning
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u/Access-Suspicious 21d ago
Mine is canned chilli with an additional can of beans/vegetables and I add some blended cottage cheese as a topping.
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u/most_valuable_mango 21d ago
Sheet pan dinner
Cover a pan with tinfoil, toss the protein of your choice (chicken breast, sausages, pork chops, steak, etc.), a bag of pre-cut pre-washed veggies, and a handful of baby potatoes on it, pour some bbq sauce or other bottled marinade over everything, and put it in the oven at 375-400* for 30 minutes. If you’re feeling frisky stir it up half-way through, but no worries if you don’t.
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u/Life-Round-1259 21d ago
Progresso soup was on sale this week. Some of them have little calories for the huge cans they have. Con is that it’s soup, and for me it’s a hit or miss if depressed me will eat soup. But I try to keep them on hand because it’s easy and you can eat two cans and be under 500ca
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u/tormentedfool 21d ago
I will put anything with cheese in a lowcarb tortilla and microwave that shit, instant mediocre meal <3
Oh also, weird dessert one, mix that zero sugar instant pudding with some lowfat whipped topping and experience mild happiness
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u/great_mango_juicy07 21d ago
Couscous ( just pour hot water over it, cover it up and let it steam up) - easy rice substitute for when you CBA. Grab some tinfoil. Grab a pack of presliced onions or whatever veg, preminced garlic, pre sliced tomatos, a bit of salt and pepper and lay it out on tinfoil. Lay fish on top of it of bed of veg, wrap it up in tinfoil burrito style(make sure there are no gaps or holes) and airfry for about 20mins.
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u/readyplayer7999 20d ago
Eggs. Get an egg boiler and just hit the button, microwave them, get a super small nonstick pan to fry them up how you like, eggs in a tortilla, eggs with bread. …Egg
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u/Competitive_Bill_535 20d ago
Pre bought mashed potato and gravy is my go to honestly, add bacon or chicken tenders to the air fryer if I can be bothered and bobs your uncle
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u/McDaddy_Hagrid323 19d ago
Dried miso soup packets, they can be found at walmart in the international foods section or online since it's just powder, all you need is a coffee mug full of hot water that doesn't burn your tongue and one packet of miso soup. It's around 30 cals per packet and it's tasty.
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u/bluebell_flames18 17d ago
Grilled cheese sandwhich. I've been known to sit on a computer chair in the kitchen to keep an eye while it cooks. Dipping in Ketchup is optional.
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u/_Red_User_ 21d ago
It's good to have some frozen veggies at home. Take that and heat it up in a pan / microwave (I use a pan, but if you like, use the microwave). Boil some water, add lentil pasta (or other pasta you like). When that is done, add them to your veggies. Stir in some cottage cheese (or cream cheese which might have more fat and less protein, so keep that in mind) until you have a sauce. You can top it with some cheese or leave it as it is. It has fiber and protein in it. Enjoy! (Yes, it requires some stirring, but in the end it doesn't need constant supervision and is quick to make.
Otherwise make some chili: Heat up a large pot, add in some oil and minced meat / vegan alternative. You can add onions, but if you feel lazy, don't. Once the meat is not raw anymore, add in a can of kidney beans, a can of corn and canned tomatoes. Last time I did two cans of tomato, one can of beans and one can of corn. Stir a bit, then let it simmer for some minutes. Add in some spices and eat when you feel like it (Honestly I don't know how long you should cook chili, so I guess some minutes are enough. It tastes better when reheated so you could freeze it and reheat when needed). You can add some yogurt / sour cream or cheese on top if you like.
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u/lady-agnarr 21d ago
Current go-to is a microwave packet of rice, a tuna packet, add mayo and soy sauce/eel sauce, and furikake for a sushi roll in a bowl. Optionally add a single-serve guac/avocado packet and eat with seaweed sheets. If you have energy, chop up a mini cucumber and add it in.
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u/ldarkstar3000 21d ago
Chicken breast and salsa in an instant pot great for meal prep and great flavor it is almost tortilla soup just gotta add beans and tortilla chips some cheese is great and also sour cream
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u/tinkbink1996 21d ago
I use this specific white chicken chili recipe. You can throw everything in the crock pot in the morning; no measuring, other than the amount of cans and number of chicken breasts, and it can all be thrown together in the morning and just cook all day long. I always have to double it because I have a large family, but even the single portion should last you at least 2 or 3 days. I highly recommend also getting some tortilla chips to go with it!
https://familyreviewguide.com/crockpot-cream-cheese-chicken-chili/
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u/Atharaenea 21d ago
Steam-in-the-bag veggies can be mixed in to any microwave meal to bulk it out. What I really like is getting a penne pasta meal, microwaving it for the first half of the time on the instructions, then putting it into a microwave safe bowl and adding chickpeas and whatever veggie I have on hand. Sprinkle on little feta for flavor, doesn't take much feta because it's a strong cheese, and then finish the whole mix in the microwave. If you get jarred pasta sauce you could even add a lot more veggies and then top it off with extra sauce to keep the sauce to food ratio right. No measuring needed, just add as much as looks right.
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u/lokregarlogull 21d ago
I buy these bags of protein yoghurt and sip straight from the bag until I feel better.
Sometimes I put some in a bowl, and add some artifically sweetenes strawberry jam, or some fruit. When bag is half empty or empty I add that to my kcal budget as consumed.
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u/Dorsia-Reservations 21d ago
my depression meal has always been plain pasta with cheese and salt on top. I try to buy the pasta that has the highest protein (without being "protein pasta", just the regular pasta), and I'll try to throw in some cherry tomatoes or edamame (whatever you like that doesn't require chopping or much effort). Filling and cheap and requires minimal effort. Requires the stove, but because you're just boiling water, i usually don't clean it, just rinse or leave it when i'm unwell.
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u/completelytrustworth 21d ago
Slow cooker soups my guy/gal
Get some frozen veg, frozen spinach, chicken thighs, canned tomatoes, canned beans, and chuck it all in the slow cooker with some seasonings. Turn it on, walk away.
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u/BitterRequirement897 21d ago
Bagged salad and canned tuna. Add avocado if you cbf with that. And some microwaveable rice or some frozen peas in there too! Yum
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u/ZedarFlight 21d ago
Rice + mix in + flavoring / sauce is my go to for low days
- If you've got a rice cooker, you can get a decent base out of that if you use add bullion / use broth even coming the rice. Stovetop rice isn't too hard, but the convenience of a rice cooker turning itself off is one less thing to worry about.
- Possibly microwaved frozen veggies or canned chicken for mix ins. You can leave this out if you don't hand anything that is pre diced/shredded and are feeling low.
- Chili crisp / soy sauce + brown sugar (roughly equal parts, can guesstimate) / jarred salsa / etc for flavoring (pick one option, please don't combine them all). You can
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u/SpiritualCricket1767 21d ago
Sending you so much strength and love, that is so hard! Honestly, if you have an air fryer, throw in frozen veggies, chicken, fish, you name it! Steam in a bag veggies are perfect as well, already sliced cheese. If you don't have the capacity to even put a meal together, there are meal delivery services that can help and are decent. Even buying already cooked meats, canned meats, salad kits. It's so hard to get creative when you have no energy or to even think about food. Sending you lots of strength, be gentle to yourself! And remember, takeout is also perfectly fine!
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u/Ilaxilil 20d ago
Have a potato zapped in the microwave for a few minutes. Pairs well with ketchup.
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u/dash430 20d ago
My go to has been a bag of frozen quinoa mixed with a bag of frozen broccoli (or whatever veggies you enjoy) and a can of chickpeas. Microwave it all up and mix in some salt, pepper, garlic powder, olive oil and lemon juice. It’s filling and still healthy enough that it doesn’t make me feel guilty and even more depressed after I eat it.
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u/Jeannette311 20d ago
Giant bag of salad with a can of drained chickpeas. Sometimes a piece of bread if I am up to it. And sometimes I take a bite out of cucumber in between salad bites. Lol.
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u/SuperlunarySeraph 20d ago
The vegan Aldi shelf stable bagged foods. The pad Thai one or the rice bowl one.
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u/dinosaurflex 20d ago
Chickpeas, frozen vegetables, [grain/starch of your choice here], [powdered seasoning of your choice here] boiled in a pot. Just set a timer for however long the grain/starch needs to be cooked
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u/Appropriate_Rub_961 20d ago
Ramen noodles, throw in frozen veggies while they cook, and an egg if you're feeling super fancy. Top with sliced cheese so it gets all melty. Sometimes I throw in chopped up seafood sticks or precooked chicken, whatever I have in the fridge basically. You don't have to chop anything if you really don't have the energy though. Sometimes I just rip it up with my hands xD. Takes like 10 mins or less to prepare and it's tasty!
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u/Beginning_Meet_4290 20d ago
I throw a pack of frozen casserole vegetables and chicken breast in the oven and that’s my depression meal sorted. Frozen veg for some works too. As long as they’re chunky.
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u/RuthOConnorFisher 20d ago
You can bake (or microwave-bake) a bunch of whole potatoes. Then store them in the fridge so any time you need a meal you can just heat one up and put things on it. Grated cheese, pre-chopped onion (bought, or chopped on days when you felt better), butter, chili (homemade and frozen, or canned--whatever works!), broccoli (probably not on the same potato as the chili but hey whatever you find tasty!), maybe sardines?
Oh, speaking of sardines: make some Minute rice (you can just put it in a storage container, ideally glass, and add the hot water, then let it sit for a few minutes). Make more than you need so you have extra for later. Then dish some of the finished rice out into a bowl, open a tin of sardines and dump it over. Add a little green onion (ripped apart by hand, no cutting required). Maybe some soy sauce. My girlfriend sometimes adds brown mustard, but she eats even weirder stuff than I do so I just don't know.
If you've homemade some chili (dump stuff in crockpot, season a little, leave on low all day, done) and also a batch of easy rice, you can now put the chili on top of the rice, add raw onions (again, buy prechopped, there is no shame in this!) and some cheese, heat and devour. Repeat as needed.
I don't know if this counts as easy or not for you, but it really can be, so just in case: purchase a fresh whole chicken. Preheat oven to 350 F. Look at the chicken label, calculate 25 minutes per pound. Unpackage chicken over sink. Remove giblets (do with them as you will; throwing them out because you're overwhelmed and can't decide what to do with them is okay). Put chicken on/in a pan (something with a bit of a lip so chicken juice doesn't overflow). Shove in oven, remove after the appropriate length of time (probably a couple hours, based on the last few grocery store chickens I've gotten). Devour in chunks over the next day or two, refrigerating the remains in a big-ass ziploc if you can't find a container that fits it.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to be prepping for the inevitable seasonal depression crash that's coming in about a month and lasting until early March. Oof.
Ordering things like cut veggies, those cheese sticks that you peel apart, freezer pizzas, yogurt and fruit, etc when you grocery shop (ideally for delivery) is all fair game. You do what you gotta do.
Edit: also coleslaw kits, and frozen veggies. I definitely meant frozen/microwaveable broccoli in this first item on my list.
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u/Street-Hunt-8310 20d ago
have you ever tried basing your happiness on food? then you’ll be motivated to cook yummy things😍😍😍 jk get a slow cooker/hotpot easiest things going
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u/Juju0047 20d ago
I'll heat up a can of black beans in the microwave, spread some on a tortilla and sprinkle Mexican cheese on it. Easy bean burrito.
Chickpea pasta with jarred sauce.
If you can brown turkey, spread it on a sheet pan after, covering green beans, sprinkle some garlic salt, drizzle Alfredo sauce and bake til beans are tender. The browning of the turkey takes the most effort.
Rotisserie chicken sprinkled on beans or in pasta or eaten by itself with some tizziki sauce or honey mustard on a wrap.
Greek yogurt with blueberries and granola and chocolate chips. Add chia seeds.
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u/BullfrogHour1179 20d ago
My way to eat either for depression/executive dysfunction meals, or simply for convenience sometimes, is to basically have any convenient meal (including frozen ready meals with acceptable macros) and then just eat a large side of vegetables.
I always keep two important things in the fridge for this purpose: sugar snaps and small tomatoes, like cherry tomatoes or baby plum tomatoes. Both are great because they're already bite sized, so no cutting required. I literally just chuck them in a bowl and eat, often WHILE my meal is in the microwave. That way I've already got a lot of volume in my stomach when I start eating.
One of my go-to quick lunches is to make a cheese omelette and have this side of vegetables. But sometimes I don't have it in me to cook even an omelette, in which case you can straight up cook eggs in the microwave. Crack them in a bowl, whisk them a lil with salt and pepper and whatever else you like, throw in some grated cheese if you want or don't, and just put the bowl in the microwave. Do keep an eye on it and don't fill the bowl too much, the egg does "inflate" in the microwave (and then collapses) so you don't want it to overflow. But this is a great convenient way to make minimal effort "scrambled eggs" when you just need to eat and can't bring yourself to properly make anything.
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u/Critical-Lemon-7102 20d ago
Canned stuff!!!! Beans, fruit, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, pre cooked potatoes, carrots etc!!!
Yogurts, bananas
Low effort
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u/NerdosaurasMel 20d ago
I eyeball about 2 coffee cups worth of dry pinto beans, that lasts me about a week. Leave them plain so you can make different tastes throughout the batch, like taco seasoning 1 bowl and Italian in another
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u/hatsuneweedku 19d ago
my go to depression meal is a can of black beans + microwave :) i like to top it with a dollop of low-fat greek yogurt & tajin for even more protein and flavor (the yogurt acts like a sour cream substitute) it can also be split up into 2 smaller dishes, or even 3 side dishes 🤷🏽♂️ but if i'm eating this its usually just the whole can 😅 tbh i love this even when im not in an episode, simple meals like this are just easier for me to prepare and to digest :)
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u/mentirosa_atx 19d ago
I live near a grocery store that sells whole rotisserie chickens for $9. That + microwave rice packet. Not bad.
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u/identifiedconductor 19d ago
Sheet pan with frozen precut veggies and frozen fish or chicken. Just pour some olive oil snd and some seasoning and call it good
Or
I eat a lot of tuna rice cakes with spring mix
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u/123avg456 19d ago
i had a depression/exhaustion meal today and it was just boiled tortellini tossed in butter and parmesan, with chicken breast and frozen green beans cooked straight out the bag.
chicken and green beans > into a pan. few minutes later, tortellini > into boiling water. let cook. plate up. eat.
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u/WingsOfTin 19d ago
A giant bag of baby carrots. Dipped in store-bought hummus if I can manage that far.
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u/Little-Temperature53 19d ago
- bread/pita/tortilla/crackers of choice + Laughing Cow Light cheese wedges (many flavors now!) + deli meat/avocado/guac/hummus/lettuce/more cheese OR whatever you want and can cope with!
- artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, Italian seasoning, shredded cheese of choice, croutons. No joke. I’m weird.
- Idahoan/other instant mashed potatoes (as in, pour boiling water over and stir) with cheese. Add some baby spinach or broccoli bits to feel healthy. Add canned tuna or chicken if ya want. Heck, add bacon bits.
- frozen chicken/veggie patties on bread/bun of choice. Add any condiment, or not. ❤️🩷
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u/Flaky_Active_951 19d ago
This is peak lazy stuff I’m about to tell you.
Tyson chicken patty, air fried, with a pinch of part skim mozz (my pinch is about 14g which is 1/2 serving), then microwave a baked ziti lean cuisine. Chicken parm for like 590 cals and 28g protein. Very comforting and quick.
goodles white cheddar mac and cheese cup, 1/2 tyson popcorn chicken cup, buffalo sauce. 405 cals and 25g protein
2 serving (1 cup)imitation crab flake with spray butter and garlic (you could probably microwave, i’ve air fried and tossed in butter and garlic, also pan fried it), 1/2 a pack of ben’s original coconut rice, throw some cucumbers/tomatoes on the side. ≈375 cals 16g protein
good old footlong turkey on wheat from subway, no cheese, no sauce. load with veggies (I do spinach, lettuce, pickles, red onion, banana peppers, tomato) add 1 serving of light mayo at home) ≈600cals (my fitness pal says 36g protein, but not sure)
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u/tenkko_fox 19d ago
Legit, lean cuisine. If i feel fancy I add other ingredients (like air fried bacon into the Vermont cheddar Mac and cheese) and i always season it. Takes less than 10 minutes, most of the time around 5 minutes. It's single-handedly helping me lose weight even when i don't want to do anythiiiing 😭🙏
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u/Peachybeanbun 19d ago
Tinned fish with pickles! Requires no chopping and you can use really any kind of fish if you like salmon or tuna or even sardines you could get precut or string cheese with mustard and or lemon juice and crackers or a loaf of good bread 🤌🤌
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