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Healthy Cooking for One or Two

FCS-1004
Family and Consumer Sciences
Date: 
10/17/2022
Shari Gallup, MS, Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Licking County
Reviewed by Roseanne Scammahorn, PhD, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Darke County

One does not have to be a lonely number! Whether you are a senior citizen, college student, bachelor, or bachelorette, cooking for one or two can be easy and fun. Although finding the motivation to cook for yourself can sometimes be difficult, it is well worth it. According to Public Health Nutrition Journal, researchers found that frequent cooking at home leads to consuming fewer calories both at home and when eating out when compared to those who seldom cooked (Wolfson and Bleich 2015).

While throwing a TV dinner in the microwave can seem like a simple answer, eating boxed convenience foods can take a toll on physical and mental health, as well as a waistline. Fast food as well as processed food (food from a box or container) tend to be low in nutrition and high in fat, sugar, sodium, and calories, and therefore are not as good for the body.

Preparing food at home can be quick and easy. Finding meal ideas and recipes for one or two people is easy with the internet and virtual cooking classes. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

Be Mindful and PlanA man and woman prepare food on a kitchen counter.

 When planning what to prepare, it helps to keep a few things in mind:

  • What foods do you like?
  • What foods need to be used up in your refrigerator?
  • What is your schedule like?
  • Do you have more time on the weekends to prepare?

Being mindful of these things can make it easier when planning and preparing healthy meals at home. Also remember, try to purchase fresh food when possible. Selecting canned food without extra salt, sugar, or additives can also be a good choice when fresh food is not available.

Cooking at home for one or two can be quick and easy for every meal of the day:

  • Breakfast - High-fiber cereal, yogurt, or a fruit or protein shake with fruit and vegetables.
  • Lunch - Leftovers from previous night’s dinner, a homemade sandwich, or a simple salad.
  • Dinner - Crockpot meals, chicken with vegetables, breakfast omelet, or a microwaved baked potato filled with canned tuna and served with steamed vegetables.

Cook Once, Eat Twice

No time to cook you say? Then, cook once, and eat twice! By cooking a larger meal, you can then re-use or freeze leftovers for the next week. For example, if you cook chicken, vegetables, and rice one evening for dinner, just cook twice the amount of chicken and use it the next day in a wrap for lunch, on a salad, or in a sandwich! Cook once, eat twice! This cuts down on the number of times you need to cook new meals from scratch and helps you stay on track with healthy eating by staying away from processed foods.

Inspirations on Planning Healthy MealsA woman blows on a ladle she’s holding above a pot on a kitchen counter next to a cutting board with fresh vegetables.

Inspirations for cooking come from many places—friends, magazines, and the internet—but the best inspirations come from tasting good food. Think of what kind of ingredients you like to eat and use those ingredients to inspire your favorite recipes.

You may also want to use online resources for ideas on planning healthy meals. One great resource is the USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov. This site emphasizes fruit, vegetable, grains, protein, and dairy groups and gives specific examples for planning and preparing healthy meals, including recipes, healthy eating tips, trackers for physical activity, and much more (USDA 2020; USDA 2021). When you visit ChooseMyPlate.gov, click on the "MyPlate Kitchen" tab for great recipes in full color. For meal-specific recipes, type “breakfast” or “dinner” in the search box.

Here are a few online resources to get you started:

Keep in mind, food does not last forever. Be sure to label and store food in air-tight containers and refrigerate it within two hours. On average, plan on using up food within three to four days (USDA 2020).

Take Time to Enjoy

Planning and preparing healthy meals can bring a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, taking the time to eat well can bring much enjoyment— a fit body, good health, and a reduced risk of many diseases. Make eating an exciting part of your day. Consider using some of the ideas outlined in this fact sheet, or from the websites below, to prepare quick, easy, healthy meals that taste great:

References

USDA. 2020. “Leftovers and Food Safety.” Food Safety. Updated July 31, 2020.
fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety.

USDA. 2021. “Safe Food Handing and Preparation.” Food Safety. Updated February 17, 2021.
fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation.

Wolfson, Julia A., and Sara N. Bleich. 2015. “Is Cooking at Home Associated with Better Diet Quality or Weight-Loss Intention?” Public Health Nutrition, 18(8): 1397–1406.
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980014001943.

Topics: 
Originally posted Oct 17, 2022.
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