Easy meals for someone with anxiety?

[SufferingThroughAnxiety]

I’ve had GAD for years, I also have PTSD. For reasons I can’t go into my anxiety is really bad at the moment (I am receiving support from MH services for these and things should improve soon I don’t need help with that).

I’m not eating properly and preferring to snack, so want easy no cooking required meals that I can just do when I feel up to it. Standing up for anything longer than a few minutes is too much for me at the moment (again receiving help from MH services and my GP) so cooking is too much. I am cooking in moments where I feel up to it and making meals that last me a few days, so just need snacks to see me through the worst days – I ache in my shoulders and ribs and legs if I stand for too long at the moment, I’m assured this is part of my anxiety and not something more serious!

Not a fussy eater so absolutely anything. Preferably tasty though as when I’m really bad eatings really hard for me and if it tastes bland or boring I give up and don’t eat enough.

Thanks in advance. Please no judgement, I am receiving help and the things causing my anxiety aren’t really relevant.

Scrambled eggs on toast. Add crispy chorizo ontop.

I'm a big fan of porridge for those haven't got the enthusiasm/energy moments. Wholesome so you don't get the bad diet guilt and can sprinkle with chopped apple/blueberries or whatever if you want to feel like you've made an effort without actually making much effort.

Thank you both, love eggs and porridge so will add them both to my online shop!

I asked a similar question a few weeks back due to physical illness and I got some really good ideas (can also empathise with the mental illness and some of these are useful for those kind of days)
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/4382999-Really-really-easy-meal-ideas?msgid=111887345#111887345
hope that helps a bit

I love baked Camembert: bake it bread to shove in the oven, or some decent bread toasted works well and then just half a camembert (assuming just for one), ideally top with honey and some hazelnuts for 10-15 mins at 150 ish.

Bit more faff than porridge but feels like such a decadent treat that I love it.

@bicyclesaredeathtraps

I asked a similar question a few weeks back due to physical illness and I got some really good ideas (can also empathise with the mental illness and some of these are useful for those kind of days) www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/4382999-Really-really-easy-meal-ideas?msgid=111887345#111887345 hope that helps a bit

Thank you will check out your thread, sorry your also ill and

Avacado mushed with some lime juice, salt and pepper on toast is lovely. It's my new fave snack.

Microwave rice, you can get loads of flavours with some chopped salad can be nice too. If you don't have the energy to prepare salad there's a few type of pre prepped you can get.

Hard boiled eggs can be used in sandwiches, rice, as a snack on its own, wjth toast or with salad. I know technically it's cooking but if you find yourself having a bit of a less shit day and can boil a load of eggs in one go and they'll keep in fridge for a few days.

Tins of soup.

I hope you feel better soon ❤️

@Gladioli23

I love baked Camembert: bake it bread to shove in the oven, or some decent bread toasted works well and then just half a camembert (assuming just for one), ideally top with honey and some hazelnuts for 10-15 mins at 150 ish.

Bit more faff than porridge but feels like such a decadent treat that I love it.

Not just me, I have a 7yo but she can eat at school on my worst days so it's just toast/sandwiches/beans on toast when she comes in.

Quesadillas are brilliant, sandwich two wraps together with grated cheese and anything else you need to use up fancy and toast in a dry frying pan until the cheese is melted.

@BillDates

Avacado mushed with some lime juice, salt and pepper on toast is lovely. It's my new fave snack.

Microwave rice, you can get loads of flavours with some chopped salad can be nice too. If you don't have the energy to prepare salad there's a few type of pre prepped you can get.

Hard boiled eggs can be used in sandwiches, rice, as a snack on its own, wjth toast or with salad. I know technically it's cooking but if you find yourself having a bit of a less shit day and can boil a load of eggs in one go and they'll keep in fridge for a few days.

Tins of soup.

I hope you feel better soon ❤️

Thank you I have loads of the microwave rices so will use those with salads.

@LadyMonicaBaddingham

Quesadillas are brilliant, sandwich two wraps together with grated cheese and anything else you need to use up fancy and toast in a dry frying pan until the cheese is melted.

Wraps added to online shop, they're great for DD to eat as well, thanks!

Do you have an air fryer? I'm also pretty rubbish with food due to asd and anxiety. I buy a pack of veg to roast in it and add slices of haloumi 5 minutes in. 20 minutes later all done. Stick on a bed of baby leaf salad and drizzle over balsamic dressing.

Paprika chips - chip, then toss in a tablespoon of oil with paprika, salt and pepper, bung in the fryer, shake occasionally and cook for 20 minutes.

Cut 2 large slices of halloumi, fry in griddle pan, place on burger bin with garlic mayo and salad.

I also buy frozen mash, steam bag veg and frozen onions and peppers. Stick sausages in oven to cook, do the rest with the mash and veg cover with instant gravy.

Cheese and bean toasties

Healthy veg packed soups - good for the body and soul. Either homemade or fresh tubs from supermarket. If you like you could buy some of those part baked bread rolls to do in the oven and have alongside. My favourite is M&S mushroom chicken and rice .

If you can afford it, I'd also look at things like M&S where you can get pre-made salads (with dressings) to eat alongside things like pork pies, little vegetable pies, meat/cheese etc. Or other convenience things like vegetables in those microwave bags that involve no chopping/peeling etc.

Buy ready cooked or roast a chicken and it can be turned into sandwiches or salads (with ready made salad if more convenient). Or served with microwaved vegetables. If you like strong flavours, invest in strong flavoured mayonnaise (eg nando's perinaise) or other condiments.

Either slices of apple or banana with peanut butter on top. Healthy and quick. Much love to you.

Do you have a slow cooker ? You can get some ready to go chopped vegetable packs, diced chicken or whole breasts, some stock and herbs and throw it all in the slow cooker and let it stew all day. Will take 5 minutes and have plenty of leftovers.

@ExplodingCarrots

Do you have a slow cooker ? You can get some ready to go chopped vegetable packs, diced chicken or whole breasts, some stock and herbs and throw it all in the slow cooker and let it stew all day. Will take 5 minutes and have plenty of leftovers.

Yes have a slow cooker, cooker with hob and oven, a George Foreman grill, a toaster and a microwave

@Mabelface

Do you have an air fryer? I'm also pretty rubbish with food due to asd and anxiety. I buy a pack of veg to roast in it and add slices of haloumi 5 minutes in. 20 minutes later all done. Stick on a bed of baby leaf salad and drizzle over balsamic dressing.

Paprika chips - chip, then toss in a tablespoon of oil with paprika, salt and pepper, bung in the fryer, shake occasionally and cook for 20 minutes.

Cut 2 large slices of halloumi, fry in griddle pan, place on burger bin with garlic mayo and salad.

I also buy frozen mash, steam bag veg and frozen onions and peppers. Stick sausages in oven to cook, do the rest with the mash and veg cover with instant gravy.

Cheese and bean toasties

No air fryer I want one but can’t afford right now

I second the quesadilla suggestion - nice and quick and filling and you can literally fling in anything that you have! My quick go-to is usually a jacket potato done in the microwave. Not as tasty as a sow cooked oven one but nice comfort food 😊 i usually have cheese and coleslaw on mine. DH likes cheese and beans on his or some tuna Mayo 😊

@SophiesMummySaid

Healthy veg packed soups - good for the body and soul. Either homemade or fresh tubs from supermarket. If you like you could buy some of those part baked bread rolls to do in the oven and have alongside. My favourite is M&S mushroom chicken and rice .

Ohh yes I could make a batch up on a good day, I have a freezer so can freeze it. Thank you

@Triffid1

If you can afford it, I'd also look at things like M&S where you can get pre-made salads (with dressings) to eat alongside things like pork pies, little vegetable pies, meat/cheese etc. Or other convenience things like vegetables in those microwave bags that involve no chopping/peeling etc.

Buy ready cooked or roast a chicken and it can be turned into sandwiches or salads (with ready made salad if more convenient). Or served with microwaved vegetables. If you like strong flavours, invest in strong flavoured mayonnaise (eg nando's perinaise) or other condiments.

There’s a little m+s food hall nearby so I’ll have a browse if I feel up to a walk thanks

@PanettoneSeason

I second the quesadilla suggestion - nice and quick and filling and you can literally fling in anything that you have! My quick go-to is usually a jacket potato done in the microwave. Not as tasty as a sow cooked oven one but nice comfort food 😊 i usually have cheese and coleslaw on mine. DH likes cheese and beans on his or some tuna Mayo 😊

Tuna and cheese jackets, want that now thanks!

Dd manages this by batch cooking curry - onions (use frozen if easier) fry, add chillis. Garlic to taste, cumin seeds then red lentils, water, stock cube, turmeric, ground coriander then leave cooking on low for 45 mins. Meanwhile coon rice, she has a rice cooker but use microwave if easier. Once cooked top with fresh chopped coriander. She freezes for the week in 6 tubs. Sounds boring but she has eating issues as well as gad and she makes portions she knows she must eat

If you eat meat how about ready choooex casserole veg and stewing steak, prep us maybe 2 minutes

@gogohm

Dd manages this by batch cooking curry - onions (use frozen if easier) fry, add chillis. Garlic to taste, cumin seeds then red lentils, water, stock cube, turmeric, ground coriander then leave cooking on low for 45 mins. Meanwhile coon rice, she has a rice cooker but use microwave if easier. Once cooked top with fresh chopped coriander. She freezes for the week in 6 tubs. Sounds boring but she has eating issues as well as gad and she makes portions she knows she must eat

I do similar on my good days, a casserole or stir fry but I can't always predict my good days so often run out of portions before a good day. Thanks for the tip though