Table for One? 6 Great Meals to Eat by Yourself

Last night after work, I popped into my favorite Chinese restaurant to grab some takeout for dinner. Again. I know it was "again" because the very nice owner smiled and greeted me with, "Hello! The usual?"

OK, so I'm a creature of habit, but can you blame me? I live alone and it's hard to get motivated to prepare a healthy, gourmet meal when I'm the only one who's going to be eating it.

Unfortunately, dining on takeout (or, my other default staple, frozen dinners) is not the most healthy, or even delicious, way to cap off a long day. But a lot of us -- 73 percent of people living in single-person households, according to the United States Department of Agriculture -- do it anyway.

Related: 10 Facts Restaurants Don't Want You to Know

And, it's not hard to figure out why … we're hard-pressed to find the inspiration to cook a healthy meal for ourselves. Plain and simple, it's easy to eat badly when no one's watching because you have no one to call you out on your iffy behavior. How often have you come home, slipped into sweats, nuked some mac and cheese, and spent the rest of the night zoning out in front of the TV with a wooden spoon in one hand and a giant bowl o' fat and calories in your lap? It's total autopilot mode, but, if you're willing to make a few mental adjustments (and tailor your rote behaviors accordingly), cooking for one doesn't have to be a recipe for disaster. Just take a look at these healthy (and handy) food prep ideas and eating-for-one tips and maybe, just maybe, the next time you walk into First Wok they'll welcome you as they would a newcomer.



Spicy Southern Chickpeas and Grits

1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped small
2 cloves garlic, minced (can use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder instead)
1 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas (or 1 can rinsed)
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (or 1 can Muir Glen diced tomatoes)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, to taste
A few dashes liquid smoke or smoked salt, to taste (Start small if you're not a fan of smoky foods or leave it out altogether.)
Tabasco or other hot sauce, optional (Use instead of chipotle powder or in addition to depending on your taste for heat.)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 9 hours .

Mediterranean-Style Baked Turkey Breast

1 bone-in turkey breast
2 cups organic veggie broth (low sodium)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs (such as rosemary and thyme)
Put turkey breast in a baking dish, add broth and water, then sprinkle seasonings on top. Drizzle olive oil on top and place into a 375-degree oven. Bake for about 80 minutes; let cool for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure moistness.

10-Minute Soup

2 ribs of thinly chopped celery
1 cup of chopped carrots
3 cups organic veggie broth (low sodium)
1 can chickpeas
1/2 package organic frozen spinach
1/2 package organic frozen peas
6 ounces cooked turkey breast
1 cup water
1 thinly sliced garlic clove
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
Heat 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a medium stockpot; add garlic and onion with a pinch of sea salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes (until slightly browned). Add carrot and celery; cook for a few minutes (until softened). Add veggie broth and water. Add garbanzo beans, spinach, peas, and turkey breast. Simmer on low for a few minutes.

Purple Tacos

6 pieces of purple corn tortilla
2 cups thinly chopped purple cabbage
1 thinly chopped medium onion
8 ounces cooked and shredded turkey breast
1 tablespoon fresh salsa
Chop cabbage and onion; warm tortillas on the stovetop. Put shredded turkey into the tortillas, add cabbage, and onion, then top with salsa.

Related: 7 Snacks That Taste Fatty But Keep You Skinny

Fish en Papillote

Scatter the chopped veggies of your choice onto a piece of parchment paper, then place a fish filet on top. You can add a little seasoning, then whip out whatever latent origami skills you may have and make a tight packet out of the paper. Put it onto a baking sheet into a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes and there you have it: flavorful, healthful steamed fish and veggies, perfect for one.

Pre-bagged Fruit Snacks

Make packages of 1/2 cup servings of beans so that you can add them to soups or pasta. Cut fresh veggies and fruits as soon as you bring them home from the grocery store and put them in the fridge. Then there's never an excuse not to quickly grab something healthy.

Want more tips on how to eat healthfully when dining solo? Click here.

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