I usually cook enough for two or three dinners and might freeze one dinner. Also a slow cooker works great too.
Most of the time, I eat salads or eat out. Not fun eating for one, but it is healthier to prepare at home.

I still can't food shop at the supermarket my husband and I would go to. Too many memoris there. Have not been back to that supermarket since he passed.

widows cook?
I have been living on the most basic things. maybe cooked a couple times in 8 months. fixed stuff that gave me leftovers for other days.
mostly:
sandwiches. eggs & whole grain toast. healthy cereals with some plain yogurt mixed in. plain yogurt with mixed berries / nuts sweetened with vanilla stevia & a Lg spoonful of frozen OJ concentrate.
I just can't get enthusiastic about fixing food now.
lost 20 lbs without trying. Only eliminated sugar and non-whole grain breads etc.
but I still barely have an appetite after 8 months. must remind myself to eat.

I usually make my son a frozen pizza or something and myself? A burger, or something ready made from the grocery store, a can of beans, etc. I haven't 'cooked' since before my husband went into the hospital.

I make soup in the slow cooker and then freeze the remainder when i get sick of eating it. otherwise i am trying to eat healthier but it is hard when there seems to be a lot of waste. Patti

Soup and stew! I agree with Patti. I can cook a pot, freeze what I don't eat and call it a day. That and salad. I try to stay away from the fast food, it messes up my stomach.
Hugs,
Val

I am having a real tough time with this. I can't seem to want to cook anymore just for me it seems like a waste of time and energy, I am trying hard. Last night I made myself a grilled cheese and put a couple slices of bacon on it and a salad. But I'm finding my lettuce and other fresh veggies not lasting as long with only one eating them.

I find making a egg fritatta with fresh veggies last me a few days. I just slice a piece and heat it up when I'm hungry.I also find I am wasting a lot of food especially fresh fruits and veggies. The few times I actually made a meal I divided it in half and froze itthat helped

I plan a "cooking day" once every three or so months and spend the whole day cooking and then freeze in portions - last time I made 40 meals (3 different soups, chicken curry, Moroccan lamb, beef chilli, goulash & spinach & cheese crustless quiche) - I then don't have to think about cooking for a couple of months! Baked potatoes with a variety of toppings and side salad are also quick and good. I find shopping for 1 horrible so bulk cooking means I can shop like I used to when we were two.

Thanks to everybody! I see a lot of good suggestions worth trying!

We have a healthy restaurant in town called Calif. Chicken Caf. They make the very best salads and sides. It's a great meal for one.

I've thrown away more fruits and veggies because it's so hard to buy one or two of them.

Do any of you get "that look" from other folks in line. That look of "poor you", "you're alone!" Is it just in my head?

Roz

Roz ..

I think it's us!! I imagine people doing that when I'm eating alone but if I think back to before I was a widow I never looked at people on their own and felt sorry them.

I had problems cooking for myself. I went to the grocery store and ended up giving what I bought to my brother and his family. A friend owned an Italian pizza place and I moved to eating there simply because they are friends and I wasn't alone. I was in the "who cares " attitude back then. Finally after several pounds of pizza and other things I finally settled on plates of fruit and crackers with cheese. It worked well for me with little effort and flexibility when I wanted to have something. Sharon

I have cooked a couple time, but don't even want to. Its a good thing I taught my daughter to cook she has been a lifesaver, and she enjoys cooking. I am going to try and help her cook Christmas dinner.

If shopping alone in the supermarket feels bad, you can try one where lots of single people go. If you're in a US larger city, you might find Whole Foods or Fresh & Easy. Or, just the right neighborhood, which might be a bit farther.

I used to love to cook and did most of it for the family. When the kids moved on cooking for two was an adjustment but halving the recipes worked well. Cooking for one works the same way. At first, when I ate which was seldom, I'd eat some raw, fresh vegetables and maybe a little cheese. Mostly I subsisted on decaf iced tea. When I began to cook again I started with egg dishes (easy and easy to alter for variety) and eventually the cooking muse came back. My difficulties were the way most grocery stores package things, large portions. Breaking them down and freezing them is a pain and was tough to do early on. I threw away a lot of food. One of my friends here, Lori001, turned me on to Whole Foods. They're not everywhere but if you have a small grocery or organic foods store check them out. I find their portions are often smaller and much of it is locally sourced so it lasts longer because it doesn't spend so much time in transit. A little more expensive but not near the waste. Hope some of this helps.
~John