Cooking for One or Two

The transition from preparing meals for large families to cooking for just one or two can seem overwhelming, no matter your age.  Eating with friends is not always possible, and dining out often may not always be the healthiest, or cheapest alternative.  Some seniors in this position may end up not eating much at all, or relegate themselves to sandwiches for dinner.  While occasional sandwiches are not bad, maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for seniors to avoid malnutrition which can occur when seniors do not eat regular meals that contain nutritious ingredients.  

Thankfully, those of us cooking for one or two are not alone.  There are cookbooks and magazines containing recipes dedicated to cooking for just a few people.  The internet is full of helpful resources that provide healthy tips and recipes that are also quick and easy to make.

Here are a few suggestions Comfort Keepers® has compiled to make cooking for one or two easy…just for you.

• Cut your favorite recipes in half.  This is a great alternative to making more than you can eat and throwing the rest out.
• Freeze leftovers.  Some recipes are easy to divide into individual portions and frozen for later use.  This makes it easier when dining alone, eliminates the struggle of wondering what to prepare for lunch or dinner, and minimizes time spent cooking.
• Buy frozen fruits, veggies and meat in bulk packages.  Bags are frozen, but easily accessible for meal planning.  Beef, chicken and fish are nutritious choices that keep well in the freezer for a period of time.
• Prepare and share.  Find friends facing the same challenges and plan to share larger meals.  Perfect for recipes that can be frozen in smaller portions; this idea provides the bonus of variety within your menu planning and is a great way to socialize with friends. 
• Reuse and Recycle. One day you are having pot roast, the next you are having shredded beef enchiladas! Making large meals that can be recycled into another dish the next day is a great way to keep family favorites around without wasting the leftovers.

Always keep your dietary needs in mind when choosing recipes, and treat yourself to healthy snacks between meals.  Practice makes perfect, and with a little thought and planning, learning to cook for one or two people might be easier than you expected.

References
^{Mayo Clinic (2009).  Healthy meals:  cooking for 1 or 2.  Retrieved on January 16, 2011 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-cooking/HQ00474
Dietitian.com (2010).  Ask the dietitian.  Retrieved on January 16, 2011 from http://www.dietitian.com/seniors.html
Helpguide.org (2010).  Senior nutrition – the joy of eating well and aging well.  Retrieved on January 16, 2011 from http://helpguide.org/life/senior_nutrition.htm}