Worried about food going to waste now I’m on a diet

[Amymegandbethandjo]

I’m on a meal replacement diet as of yesterday, which I’ve done before. The only difference is I now have a toddler aged son to cook for, but obviously his portions aren’t big. For things like cereal it’s not a problem, but for lunch I’d planned fish, mashed potato and peas. The fish and peas aren’t an issue but it will mean I’ll have to buy a whole potato and throw some away.

Anyone got any advice? Also for things liked cooked meats and so on.

Freeze the extra in toddler portions?

Do you have a freezer? I would make batches of things, like mashed potato and freeze it in portions?

Probably an impossibly stupid question but can you do that with eg a potato, cooked ham, etc?

How old is he? Can't he have say, sausage (left over) mash and beans tomorrow night too?

I wouldn't get upset about throwing away half a potato!

I live alone and often get annoyed that I can't finish say a full loaf of bread etc but there are ways of making different ingredients into different meals.

Freeze.

I often freeze mash in toddler portions so it’s quick another evening

Fish can be frozen. Or make fish pie for toddler with leftover fish and mash, freeze for another time or give next day

Surely your going to be eating some regular food with him though?

For the specific potato issue you could buy salad potatoes, keep them in the fridge and just use a couple at a time. For other things definitely just make extra portions of whatever and freeze them. You could also download the olio app for giving away food items. Not something like a half eaten tin of tuna obviously, but a half used bag of potatoes would be fine.

You can freeze mash or he can have the left over mash for the next dinner. Our DC usually eat the same thing two nights in a row. Meat cut into one meal portions or for things like sausages divide up and freeze it in individual portions. Something like bolognaise you can freeze the sauce and meat in individual portion sizes. Can be done with a lot of foods.

Mashed potato freezes beautifully.
I always make at least double and freeze half.

I know @GlitterSquid lol I just feel bad when I throw away food! Probably why I’m on a diet! Don’t mind so much with bread as just feed ducks with it.

@Caspianberg no it’s meal replacement only. He only has cooked meals at the weekend so just conscious of not wanting him to always eat the same things. I might just give meat a swerve for a bit.

You can freeze pretty much anything! Invest in lots of small plastic zip bags and some small Tupperware (get lots of exactly the same size so lids always match ).

Then slow food to cool to room temp then freeze. You can either take out night before to defrost at room temp or whack it straight in the microwave to cook.

Some things freeze and reheat better than others but you'll soon work that out. Generally you need to cook veg so raw carrot doesn't freeze brilliantly as it goes very soggy but you can definitely cook then freeze.

Instead of sausages or ham you could do him a bit of meat or chicken instead, eg breast or thighs, can be cut up and frozen in small portions to take out and cook.

I can try that … my parents were obsessed with freezing food and it never used to taste particularly nice so have always avoided!

I hear you! Mine were similar they did it in bulk.

You’d just be doing small portions for your DS.

You can mix it up though by freezing. The fish, mash and peas today, reassemble as fish pie with sauce and freeze. He can eat that in 2-3 weeks.

Why does he only eat cooked meal at weekends? If you had something frozen from leftovers it’s just as quick to give homemade soup/ fish pie/ casserole as making a sandwich

Oh, I mean that I make for him, sorry. He eats cooked meals in the week but at nursery.

He’s a nightmare with sandwiches and just chucks them around

So you’re replacing all 3 meals with shakes? That can’t be healthy. It’s better to make healthy habits that you can maintain. Have a home cooked evening meal with your ds, but replacement shake for breakfast and healthy lunch.

Freeze it cooked in small portions. I think food that’s frozen tastes best if defrosted overnight on the side or in the fridge rather than microwave. A child portion of mash will defrost in a couple of hours.

Don’t leave in freezer too long.

Or just feed him the same meal the next day or day after so just keep in fridge.

No, it’s not just shakes @Sushi7, it’s meal replacement though.

Thanks for advice. Easter holidays are coming up so I do need to be more organised and actually meal plan, it’s just hard when most recipe books assume a few people are eating not just one tiny person

So you’re replacing all 3 meals with shakes? That can’t be healthy. It’s better to make healthy habits that you can maintain. Have a home cooked evening meal with your ds, but replacement shake for breakfast and healthy lunch.
I have to say I agree. It doesn't sound sustainable long term to replace all your meals, and what will that teach your DS? If you want to encourage healthy eating then he needs to see you eating healthily too.
I'd suggest you look up some healthy meals and scale them for three people (assuming it's just you and your DS, you get one portion for one meal, he gets half). Serve it all at once, a plate for you, plate for Ds and the equivalent into a Tupperware so you don't end up eating more than is meant for the meal. Re-heat the following day or even the day after. Most will be fine kept in the fridge for a day or two.

Thanks but I don’t really want diet advice for me

A meal I used to do for mine when they were little that is easy to just make one portion was a handful of basmati rice cooked, then in a pan mix it with a few squirts of tomato puree, a handful of frozen peas and sweetcorn and top with some grated cheese.

Thanks

Just keep the leftovers and reheat small portions. My kids sometimes have to eat the same thing 3 or 4 nights in a row if i cook the wrong amount. Their breakfast and lunch is different so i dont think it matters. They dont even notice i think.

I keep a bag of frozen mash in the freezer for DS. Can buy in any supermarket. They are great. Frozen in little pellets so you just take out a handful and heat in microwave. There's only salt and butter added to them. I also keep McCain frozen jacket potatoes in the freezer too. I don't really buy processed foods but these make my life so much easier!

I’d be more worried about the energy used to cook half a potato. What a waste! Batch cooking then defrosting is the way to go.