Creating Nutritious Meals for One

A little planning can go a long way toward making meals for one person nutritious and interesting. Try some of these ideas to make meals for one fun and easy:

  • Cook once and eat twice.
    Cook a small roast, eat one portion now and freeze additional portions to mix with vegetables for quick soups, stews, or chili.
  • Buy frozen vegetable in 1-pound bags.
    Cook what you need for single servings, or mix several for an interesting vegetable medley.
  • Buy several types of pasta and noodles to keep on hand.
    Many cook quickly. Pasta makes an attractive side dish, or it can be used as a base for stews, or topped with sauce. Make single servings or cook extra to make salads (mix with vegetables and a low fat dressing for pasta salad), or add to soups and casseroles.
  • Share a meal with a friend.
    You could each contribute part of the meal, or perhaps trade portions of planned-leftover main dishes.
  • Explore your grocery store for the makings of a fresh "convenience" meal. Try a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit from the salad bar, a fresh whole-grain roll from the bakery, and a slice or two of lean meat from the deli. When buying prepared foods remember to check the ingredient label for hidden sugar, fat and sodium (salt) additives.