How to buy and cook for one

ostrichnomore_2

Hi

I've been single for a couple of months and I'm struggling to adapt to only buying and cooking for one. I'm finding myself wasting too much food as I can't get used to the smaller quantities. Not only that, I've found it blooming hard even to find smaller amounts to buy in the first place, try finding a pack of 2 chicken drumsticks or one salmon fillet for example.

I've often used to buy larger packs for the two of us and split into portions for the freezer, but somehow I can't get my head round this so much for just me. I seem to end up eating the same thing over and over that way...

And I still can't resist a bogof. I've got potatoes coming out of my ears....

Any shops that cater better for those who want to buy smaller amounts instead of everything being mega family sized packs? Any tips?

also I'm finding it hard to be bothered to put much effort in if it's just me, quite a lot I just don't bother cooking at all, just eat cold snacky stuff...anyone got over that?

And last question (sorry) what is a reasonable budget for one person for food? Halving what I used to spend doesn't seem to work but I want to start being a bit more sensible with money and give myself a budget to work to. What's average for one? I don't need to be super-budget moneysaving about it, but I don't exactly expect caviar either. Just nice normal everyday eating with say a nice treat like a steak once a week.? What would you spend?

DCFC79

You got a butchers nearby, maybe they sell chicken drumsticks and you could buy 2 and the salmon try the fish section in the supermarkets (i know sainsburys sell smal pieces of salmon) or try an independant fishmongers.

When your buying things like potatoes i always say "do i need the extra bag" or "would the extra get wasted". If you have a glut of potatoes could you not freeze them into portions ? Not sure if they need to be boiled before freezing or not but its soemthing you could look into.

I understand its hard to adjust to it all but when deciding whether to cook think of the positives of eating something you cooked yourself.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

You already know half of it, as you used to split packs and freeze some.


However, it seems so very expensive buying enough for 5 meals when you only have so much food or money, so buying less can definitely help.


In terms of supermarkets, M&S tend to offer single fillets of fish. and Waitrose has a good deli/meat counter.



However, is there any reason why you can't use a butcher, fishmonger and market? That way, you get what you want when you want it. (I realise not everybody has such things nearby).


A lot of the BOGOF offers just lead to rotten food being chucked away. I know you could batch cook, mash, freeze as appropriate, but not everyone likes doing that.


I've been unwell, so I haven't been out much recently, so got an organic delivery. About ten days ago. There's still tons of food - the meat has run out, and I've also had eggs, milk, a pack of butter and some bread - but that's about £30 for a fortnight of meals - some have been vegetarian, but by no means all.

SailorSam

I'm here by myself and don't find it to bad but that's 'cos everything is split and goes in the freezer. When i'm doing curries and casseroles i use lots of mixed lentils and pulses, so dried stuff can sit in the cupboard for ages. If things like potatoes look like they may be starting to sprout i'll cook them (wedges; boiled; mash) and they go portioned in the freezer.
The biggest problem i've had during the summer has been i've got a greenhouse full of lettuce so been eating salad everyday.

~Chameleon~

Could you not just continue buying the family sized packs and split them up into single portions to freeze? Again, no reason why you can't continue cooking family sized meals and portion those to freeze too. It doesn't take long to build up enough of a supply of raw/cooked foods in the freezer that enables you to rotate so you're not eating the same thing every day. Mind you, I don't mind doing that and often I'll cook a dish and eat it for the next 3-4 days but I might not have it again for another month or two

Oh, and having a supply of cooked home made food in the freezer is perfect for those CBA to cook days

outtawork

I budget £25 for 1 person & eat quite healthily on it. I cook 250g mince for a shepherds pie or bolognese, eat 1 meal & freeze 2. same with a salmon pasta bake. I am on food management programe & I am reducing meat, mainly to bring down my cholestral level & lose weight. I now allow 100g of protein per meal, except mince its about 85g.I pad out a lot of the meals with veg & fruit.I eat fish 4-5 times aweek for lunch.

viv0147

The pleasure of living on your own
You have a bed to yourself, that you can get in and out of when you decide and you'll never be disturbed or woken up by someone else getting in an hour after you and bugging you, or who wants the lights off when you're reading a really good chapter, or who hogs the duvet, or who has annoyingly cold feet and wants to warm them up on yours, or who snores or kicks out or has terrible morning breath.

You can cook what you fancy when you're hungry and do the washing up whenever you're ready to. You don't have to avoid ingredients you love just because somebody else hates them, you don't get irritated when you've cooked three nights in a row and its not your turn but you'll have to do it again tonight because otherwise you'll go hungry or have to put up with a!!!! Sandwich.

You know that whatever was in the house when you left will be there when you get back. If the milk's gone its because you finished it, if there's hardly any loo roll left its because you haven't bought any new, you won't be taken by surprise!

You can keep the place as clean or as messy as you feel like depending on your mood, and you've only got your own washing in the basket to worry about.

You can decorate and furnish exactly how you want without having to compromise and without having to constantly defend your lovely home from assaults by horrible shelves, ugly paint colours and bad DIY that you are then expected to be grateful for.

You can use as much water, gas and electricity as you are comfortable with, you don't have to try and sneak around a skinflint who would rather see you get frostbite in January than turn a radiator on or someone who leaves every appliance in the house running at full power 24/7.

I live alone and I have a healthy varied diet I have built up a large stock of food for the freezer over time and my stock cupboard is bulging with tins etc so at the moment I spend about £10 a week on milk and a few fresh goods I make use of every voucher and coupon that suits my needs I have actually made it a hobby now and the money I save is amazing so it can be done good luck to you.

~Chameleon~

viv0147 wrote: »

The pleasure of living on your own.....

And you've just reminded me why I love living alone :j :T

laura1976

Oh Viv i want to move out now! Sounds perfect!

Middy

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Could you not just continue buying the family sized packs and split them up into single portions to freeze? Again, no reason why you can't continue cooking family sized meals and portion those to freeze too. It doesn't take long to build up enough of a supply of raw/cooked foods in the freezer that enables you to rotate so you're not eating the same thing every day. Mind you, I don't mind doing that and often I'll cook a dish and eat it for the next 3-4 days but I might not have it again for another month or two

Oh, and having a supply of cooked home made food in the freezer is perfect for those CBA to cook days

I live alone and always buy large packs of meat products - like the ones you get 3 for £10. With the chicken, pork and salmon, I split them up and wrap them in foil, write on a small piece of paper what it is then put it in a produce bag (take more than I need when shopping). I used to write on the foil and it rubs off over a few months and have 'foil surprise' teas. I can easily adapt with short notice if I discover pork was salmon etc. With the mince, I make a general mince mix of chopped toms, garlic and onion. Then I add a few more herbs for spag bol and kidney beans and chillis for chilli con carne. You can have the mince mix cooked in the fridge for 2 days. You can freeze it.

I never buy little tins of baked beans etc. I have loads of tuppaware boxes to put half a tin in to use 3-4 days time.

Even though I live alone, I bulk buy everything.

My problem is salad as I tend to throw out cucumbers and lettuce. I have discovered in Morrisons that some of their bagged salad leaves comes in two small packs for £1 - just the right size for having a salad.

dlusman

Middy wrote: »

My problem is salad as I tend to throw out cucumbers and lettuce. .

for whole lettuce - cut off a small amount from the root to expose the base , stick it in a small bowl of water ( enough just to cover the base ),re-cover it and put it in the fridge. Check ever few days that there is still some water and the base hasnt "healed-up" and it will last a couple of weeks.