Enjoyable (and healthy) eating for singles

For single people, eating often goes hand in hand with TV dinners, an empty fridge, snacking... Hold on there! Why don’t you take a bit more care of yourself and enjoy the eating experience at the same time…

You know all the pizza delivery numbers off by heart, and you don’t often think of going out to do a bit of decent fruit and veg shopping. Like many single people, you pay little attention to what is actually on your plate.

Here’s some advice on balancing your meals, avoiding nutritional errors ... and enjoying a sit-down meal in your home-sweet-home.

Fill up your fridge

When you open your fridge door, it’s a barren wilderness inside. The shelves are empty, there’s a few  drinks in the door and the salad crisper section has never been used!  However, the fridge is a number one ally for getting balanced meals, so how about buying some yoghurt and other dairy products? You could get some eggs and a few vegetables too, not to mention some chicken breasts or a steak.

You’ll notice your appetite coming back and it will work out cheaper than your last-minute ready-made meals from the local deli or Marks and Sparks! The best way is to go shopping once a week, probably to your local shops and market - or if food shopping is really not your thing, buy online and have it delivered to your doorstep.

Keeping in optimum shape

Unless you want to stay single for quite a while longer, this is not the time to be putting on weight! If you can’t give up ready-made meals, then look really carefully at the nutritional information on the label before you buy, as some of these dishes contain an impressive amount of calories, fat or salt. To be eaten in moderation!

What’s more, your way of life gives you a lot more freedom than if you had a traditional family life so now’s the time to sign up for some exercise classes to stay in shape! Who knows, you might even meet somebody...

Stop that snacking

One of the main drawbacks of living on your own is snacking! You come back to your empty flat in the evening, put on the telly and nibble on a few crisps or a bar of chocolate. After swallowing a load of food that’s often high in calories, you no longer feel hungry enough to eat a more balanced evening meal.

So start straight away by cutting back on the amount of television you watch! Find something to do which requires some effort or attention, such as sport, different creative hobbies or reading and then you won’t have so many opportunities to snack.

Evening meal, make it real

Although you might have a heart and reasonably well-balanced meal in the company canteen or restaurant at lunchtime, it’s not always the same at dinnertime. In the evening, it can be hard to find the willpower to cook a proper meal and it’s so easy just to make do with some bread and cheese.  For protein, choose between fish, lean poultry or eggs. And don’t forget those vegetables. Some fruit and bread will finish it all off will round it out. And finally, try and eat at regular times.

Enjoy eating well

The main thing is to stop eating to kill time or just for to fill the gaping hunger hole in your stomach… You should enjoy eating and it should be a special time. That’s why you need to make an effort to sit up at the table, rather than eating standing up in your kitchen or planted in front of the telly. If you have the time and the inclination, why not take advantage of the opportunity and cook for others. Learn how to cook a few simple dishes and arrange an “open house” evening once a week at your place. At least it’ll be one night when you won’t be eating on your own and once it becomes a regular thing, people will be rushing round to see you.

Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo

Posted 06.06.2011

Get more on this subject…