Yes, I found it hard to adapt to cooking for one and eating alone. I was lucky to have a friend who owned a small pizza shop with other Italian specialties. Needless to say that put weight on!! It was a good social outlet for me through and normally one of them sat with me.

You can also try taking something home or getting used to dining alone. I ate a lot of fruit, cheese and crackers too, as well as my favorite, peanut butter. Sharon

I too have a very difficult time cooking for myself. If I do make something, I freeze individual portions for later. Mostly I'm still eating cheese & crackers, purchased wraps at health food store, etc. Thinking I might make soup when the weather cools a bit. Again, I will freeze the leftovers. I too hate wasting food..........there is so much hunger in the world that I feel guilty. Hugs to you too.

Not now, but I certainly did experience this. My husband did the same, a spoonful of pudding, a piece of toast - that's all he could eat. I still can't walk down that frigging pudding aisle in the supermarket.

It's not pointless to make a meal for yourself - it's not! You have to eat. I'm one of those weird people who actually like leftovers, and I can't cook for one, so when I make a pot of soup, it's a POT of soup. I'm also one of those weird people who cook as therapy. It takes time to get to the point where you enjoy cooking again...and yes, even for yourself, because you're worth the time and effort. Hang in there, Janie - Hugs, Marsha

I probably cook twice a week. But it's in the crock pot. I have never "enjoyed" cooking. He loved it and done it more often than I. I found out I have a gluten intolerance so the bread and baked goods that I did enjoy making for him are done. I've lost 27 lbs since July 1st. I am the one that has to walk his dog so the exercise helps. When I feel I am getting down, I take the little guy and go walking, it helps.
I am lucky in the sense that I am not alone, I had to move in with my son. I keep trying to be thankful for what I do have but not having my soul mate is the worse thing ever.

First I couldn't eat at all, then I started stress eating. I realized that I needed to make a change. I discovered "Meal Deals" at my local supermarket. These meals consist of one entree and two sides. All are fully cooked and only need to be warmed up - thank you, microwave! Some of these are enough for two meals. Perhaps you can check with your local supermarkets to see if they offer.

I do like the idea of cooking and freezing into small portions. I'm not there yet but hope that day will come.

Thanks for posting this topic - I look forward to hearing other suggestions.

My husband was the cook so learning to eat healthy has been a challenge for me. One way to make grocery shopping a little more fun is that for many months after his death, I would buy one new thing at the grocery that I had never tried before. I discovered a lot of new things. Some are a regular part of my diet now, some didn't make the cut. LOL. Some of my new tries were avocadoes, different salads in the deli like cucumber salad or super food salad. I bought lobster ravioli. Still haven't tried that yet. I bought crabs cakes and many frozen style vegetables that I had never tried before. Soon I started enjoying the grocery store again and now it's an adventure to find something new.

This has really helped me. I also completely cleaned out the fridge, freezer, and cabinets and started all over with my own choices.

Nessie from KY

I didn't eat at first either. Then I started to snack mostly on vegetables once or twice a day. Then the quick fix for phase (eggs, potatoes, frozen pot pies, etc.) that I'm still pretty much in. I used to love to cook and handled that almost exclusively during the last 2 years. I have taken some cooking classes thru a local continuing ed outlet and it helped me remember some of the things I liked about cooking. Little by little I'm getting back into it. If I make too much for one meal I wrap up the rest for lunch the next day. Haven't found a thing to make eating alone any more palletable yet though.
Peace and ((Hugs))
John

I know what you mean about cooking for one. Even when my husband couldn't hardly eat anymore I was still trying to make something he might enjoy and sharing it with him not even at the table but in his chair where I would feed him. I am trying to buy frozen meals that are somewhat appealing. i order and bring food home from a restaurant that usually lasts a few nights and sometimes I will go to a restaurant alone..sometimes its better than being alone at home. Salads are easy and good can add protein chicken, tuna. Canned chili easy. Buy the Barbequed chickens and can eat off them for several days with those steam in the bag vegetables. Hopefully time will help heal our broken hearts and we will live in gratitude and hope for seeing our loved ones again.

Wow this is a real hard one and brings back some very sad memories. My husband was put on a feeding tube five months before he passed. Talk about hard memories. My once strong, healthy husband did not eat one ounce of food for five months, except for the liquid. Needless to say I did not do much cooking for one, and I loved to cook. Now it is a sandwich or salad, my heart still not into cooking for one. My neighbor and I do go out eat once in awhile. Much peace,

My youngest son moved back home but he's out with his girlfriend for most meals. I eat a lot of salads and easy to grab stuff. I walk a lot and once a week I walk to a local cafe my girl and I loved and have her favorite sandwich. Otherwise, I just make a regular meal and eat it over a few days until it's gone.

I'm not alone but my son is a picky eater(always has been). I cook maybe 3 times a week. Simple stuff. Paul bought me nice Jenn Air double ovens with a warming drawer about a year ago. Without him I'll never wear them out, that's for sure. I couldn't eat or sleep at first & then my appetite came back with a vengeance. Trying to make healthier choices now. Cooking for my son and I is a challenge.

I moved into a house with 7 people and did most if the cooking. I to lost a lot of weight the first 6 months.

Then I started having medical issues, I have Graves disease and it flared up bad. It has affected my eyesight, it got four times worse in 6 weeks and I started seeing double, I have to wear special glasses. My eyes swell almost shut and the skin around them are bright red and peeling like a burn victim. Oh yea and I gained 30 pounds.

Sorry I got off subject.
My oldest son rents part of the house so I cook for him. It's actually a blessing, as I prolly would not cook if he wasn't here.

Hugs, Sandi

I'm like Marsha, I have always loved cooking and find therapy in it. I am beginning to enjoy it again though it is a challenge to cook for one, but loving leftovers means I have lunch and another supper on stand by. Tonight was another new...on the way home I got some chicken breast and ground chuck on sale. Packaging for one was awkward but I did it and though I felt sad I did not cry.

I do have an advantage now as I joined Weight Watchers two weeks ago so I am kind of forced to cook instead of popping a pot pie in the oven, making a sandwich or getting a pizza. I am learning to eat healthy so I can be healthy (which I know how but this way makes me accountable for my actions)...that was my main goal, second is getting out and socializing (have to start somewhere) and the third was of course to loose the excessive weight I have gained learning what "comfort food" is (older dogs can learn new tricks).

I think in this part of my journey of discovering who I am, I am bringing back a part of who I was and finding a new part of who I am. We will get there...slowly, one baby step at a time. Much Love and Many Hugs-Jewley

I never enjoyed cooking, I can, but don't enjoy it. My husband was a fabulous cook and loved to grill. I can't bring myself to fire that grill up to this day as that was such a part of our lives, we would relax on the deck and he would cook something wonderful and enjoy every minute of it. Now I just do something quick and want it over with. Green Giant does have some tasty individual pkg. vegetables that I try to eat as often as possible. Cooking for one is just a lot of trouble.

Its just me in this house now, but I still like to cook.
I have learned a few things along the way.
Cooking for one makes just as big a mess as cooking for two, and there is no discussion as to who will clean up. If you dont plan a meal you dont get a meal. I still cook the same favorites, but now I dont have anyone suggesting that Ive had enough and that I should save some for leftovers. Gained a few pounds along the way.
Martin