Help - I don't know what to eat, at all

[Ditto]

This is a desperate cry for help! I have no idea what to eat. I've had probably 3 proper meals in the last month, and they were cooked by someone other than me. I'm a decent cook, I just don't know what to do. I feel completely paralyzed with trying to plan and execute something. I think that I'm starving my body of nutrients and energy and I need to do take action.

I need a really basic, elementary break-down of what I should/could be eating. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Does anyone know of any resources to help me? would you care to share ideas? I'm thinking maybe it's bad enough that I should see a nutritionist or something?

I see great menus and recipes all the time. I just don't know how to get started, how to put it together. How do I make three meals a day, how do the left overs fit in with the next days' plans.

Any help? Please.

Thanks!

[akmeg]

I feel that way sometimes, I can get so overwhelmed by all the options out there and I honestly have no idea what to make that's simple and do-able and within my budget. But for starters, I'd say just find sort of a rhythm of regular meals you can work into your days. Keep it simple.

For example, have either oatmeal or eggs for breakfast with a side of fruit, and just alternate days. They're both healthy and you can change them up if you get bored, but at least you won't have to think too hard about what's for breakfast.

And then for lunch, what do you like to eat? Soup, sandwich, salads? Maybe pick one and make it for a few days in a row (as long as you don't mind repetition). I made chicken salad with diced veggies on top of spinach and ate it Monday, Tuesday, and wednesday this week. It was yummy! I might eat it tomorrow too but I'm out of chicken.

And for dinner, don't try and over do with with lots of new recipes and full meals every night. Just aim for something simple like a stir fry, soup, or big salad, with lots of veggies and protein, and make enough for two nights or maybe even three. And try that a couple of times a week. Or keep it simple and cook without a recipe, just some sort of protein with veggies, like a slice of roast beef with a side of cooked carrots and brocolli. I put my roast in the crockpot with some broth, onions, and garlic, and it literally takes me about 5 minutes. And for those nights when nothing comes together, you can always have eggs and toast for a back up dinner! It's healthy and easy, and you'll still feel like you're getting a healthy meal.

[Alyantavid]

For us, breakfasts are one of a few things: bagels, oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, waffles or french toast.

Lunches are sandwiches or leftovers.

Dinners, I plan by going through a list of meals my family likes, seeing what's in my cupboards/freezers and by what everyone wants to eat. And checking out what recipes/meals are posted in here.

Most of our meals are fairly simple and I don't need a recipe. If it's very involved or requires tons of ingredients, I probably won't make it.

[Magelet]

What do you like to eat?

breakfasts, I agree, pick 1-3 items, and thats enough except for the rare treat. If your inspired to make waffles, do so, but oatmeal, yogurt, and eggs are plenty of options (or none. oatmeal every day. or eggs)

Lunch is how we do leftovers here. there is cheese, sometimes bread, usually veggies that are available, sometimes fruit, and leftovers for lunch. we munch, if we don't get lunch at work (I work in the food business so I eat at/from work)
There are always ingrediants for salad dressing, and a lot of times DP will make rice as well if he is home. Leftovers are the bulk. If they don't get eaten fast enough, we'll plan a leftover night, and make something with it. For instance, leftover hash. or a cassarole.

Dinner, it probably will sound the most overwhelming, but basically, we find some recipes or make them up (or just ideas of dishes) that sound good, and write them down in an order and that is our dinner meal plan. (having a meal plan helps us make sure we eat a proper dinner, and also saves us a lot of money because we buy only a few extras instead of lots of extra produce that goes bad because we'll "use it tomarrow")

[mamadelbosque]

We do cereal for breakfast most days (Life & Cheerios mostly), with granola & oatmeal thrown in on occasion. Lunch is pretty mainstream and not that great - mac'n cheese, chicken nuggets, pizza, hotdogs, or else leftovers from the night before. Dinners I plan a week in advance on a spreadsheet.

[Ditto]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your thoughtful replies. I was thinking about this last night and might just plan out enough food for the next 5 days or something, get what I need, and tackle that. Perhaps that would keep me from feeling overwhelmed. I also think the idea of a simple meal rotation might be helpful. Maybe I should stick to the same basic rotation, say a 2 week plan, until I get back in to the habit of cooking and eating and buying.

To whomever asked, I like to eat lots of things. Veggies and a protein, chicken, steak, pasta, stir frys, salads, soup, sandwiches, tacos, fruit. I don't prefer fish and i haven't tried tofu products, but I do eat vegetarian probably half the time.

Thank you for the ideas and suggestions!