to ask what you do for meals when you're depressed/ill/can't be arsed?

[Insignificant0ther]

Single mum of one here, and struggle with depression and anxiety - sometimes worse than other times. Sometimes it can last for a couple of days, sometimes it goes on for a week or two. When I'm at my worst I can't seem to muster up the energy to cook or create meals - I obviously do feed my kid but it's the same nuggets/frozen mixedveg/mash combo and I feel guilty about it and want to change it up a bit. What do you do for meals when you're depressed or ill, or do you have any ideas? The guilt makes me feel worse so breaking the cycle would be helpful. I know we aren't meant to admit that we struggle - but I do.

Thanks in advance

Pretty sure this exact thread was up last week from someone else. Not getting at you, just maybe if u do a search you'll find lots of suggestions on it.

Stir fries are really easy! Make noodles in the microwave, whilst they are cooking, fry up veg from a bag of frozen stir fry veg and whatever meat you fancy. Then use the sauce sachet that comes in the ramen packet (I like the Spicy Koko one) to make a sauce with soy sauce, ketchup, lime juice and a little boiling water. Add this to the veg and meat and some thickening granules. Voila, stir fry!

Wraps are good, too. You can shred a rotisserie chicken and put it in a bowl, heat refried beans (I add garlic, frozen pepper and onion, pinch of salt and pepper) and then salad, grated cheese, sour cream and guacamole to stuff.

Toasties! Lots of options there and you can make them in a pan, just lay a heavier one over the top to squish down. Or use your grill.

Jacket spuds.

Covent garden soup with a sandwich on the side.

Turkish scrambled eggs. Cut up a beef tomato, throw in a handful of onion (I buy frozen ones for convenience). Bit of oregano. Fry all that then add the eggs and scramble. Then serve on toast.

For me I have cereal! For the kids I generally try to have some batch cooking in the freezer that I can heat up with little effort - individual lasagnes made in ramekins that kind of thing.

I also do jacket potatoes/scrambled egg/cold buffet teas so whack pre cut carrot batons/cherry tomatoes etc on a plate with pitta/ham/cheese. Toasties, already cooked roast chicken is one of my favourites - just plonk some salad on the side and it is a balanced meal.

I am much better at making the effort for the kids than for myself. Some nights I can't even be bothered to make toast hence the cereal!

But I would recommend popping extra portions in the freezer when you are having better weeks. I always feel grateful to past me when I have done this. I also keep part cooked baguettes in the freezer and tuna in the cupboard so I can always make tuna baguettes for them if I haven't had a chance to go to the supermarket.

Good luck and be kind to yourself.

When you feel good try making double and freeze half so when you feel shite you can just defrost.
Hope you are ok and things get better for you

Sweet potato mash can make those dinners more interesting (don't add milk it goes too sloppy).

Quick fish pie. Buy fish pie ready diced fish from counter, put in dish with splash of milk, top with mashed potato & grated cheese. Cook for 25 mins.

Agree omelette & jacket potato easy options.

Takeaway? Breaded frozen fish and veg - healthier than chicken nuggets if the kids will eat it. Pasta and jar of stir in sauce.
But I would also try and be kind to yourself. Kids are getting fed so you are doing fine.

If we don't have much time it's one of the following:
beans and cheese on toast
fish fingers, peas and potato wedges (so similar to your failsafe)
pesto, pasta and peas (pesto can be made in time it takes to boil the pasta and I usually make a double quantity and freeze some for the future or you can buy premade but it's not as tasty).
Toast with tomatoes and cheese.
Tin of fruit is a quick and easy pudding that feels like a bit of a treat but is still one of your 5 a day.

My children don't like soup (weirdos) but a tin of soup is an easy and quick meal that is nutritious. And has a long storage time.
Jacket potatoes plus filling (DD1 loves tuna sandwich mix from the supermarket and sweetcorn)

You can get reasonable jars of pasta sauce (tomato etc) that are quick and easy.

If you do:
nuggets plus mash and sweetcorn
tinned soup and oatcakes and cheese
fish fingers, peas, sweet potato wedges
pasta plus sauce and veg
Jacket potato plus filling
beans on toast

That's almost a week of teas but something different each day and you are mixing up the carbs and veg.

Yes, search on here for fast, simple meals.

Soup's my comfort food. Soup and really nice fresh bread, plus a chunk of cheese and an apple if I feel like it.

Scrambled eggs on toast.

Sausage or bacon sandwich.

Baked spud with cheese and beans.

Corned beef hash.

Sometimes all that appeals is a family sized bag of Doritos, but I invariable feel like total shit once I've demolished them, physically and emotionally. After many years, I've finally learned not to do that. Instead, I have soup, even if it IS from a tin.

Oh yes, toasties. Cheese toasties, with a splodge of tomato sauce (ketchup).