(PS: Have you signed up for the#NoTakeoutChallenge?)
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Meal planning can take a lot of the stress out of cooking for one.
Planning ahead can help prevent over-the-top impulse buys.
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“Dont over-do it,” says Cavuto.
“Pick one or two vegetables and proteins you might utilize throughout the week.”
Although buying in bulk isn’t a great idea for solo diners, shopping from the bulkbinsis.
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It allows you to take only as much as you need.
This lets you customize the quantity you plan to purchase, explains Cavuto.
This is way more efficient than buying a pre-packaged ingredient youknowyou won’t use up.
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Boil, steam, or use veggies in a recipe, and toss fruits into smoothies or oatmeal.
Steer clear of packaged meats made for bigger recipes and ask for a smaller portion at the counter.
This way you’ll get exactly the amount you’re looking for.
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And it’s typically not crazy expensive, either.
(Not to mention, there’s nothing better than straight-from-the-farm produce.)
“Even vegetables can be easily prepared for one!”
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When each element of your meal is individual, you have more control over how much you’re cooking.
“Mix up your flavor profiles,” says Cavuto.
(Try flavorful ingredient add-ins or drizzle a little truffle oil on top.)
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Don’t be afraid to cut your favorite recipe in half to scale back on leftovers.
(It’ll probably cook faster so don’t forget to take that into account.)
Stick with halving recipes, and embrace the leftoversafter all, it’s your delicious creation!
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Don’t be afraid of batch cooking with versatile ingredients you use all the time, says Cavuto.
It’ll save you time cooking, and you’ll always have your go-to ingredients on hand.
The freezer is a beautiful thing.
“Invest in some great freezer and microwave-friendly single-serving containers for your leftovers,” says Magee.
Boom, it’s DIY frozen dinners.
Leftovers can take on new lives in different dishes, especially when you’re using individual ingredients.
Same base, totally different meals.
“[Leftovers] can be morphed into meals for later in the week.
Monday’s chicken fajitas can turn into Tuesday’s stir fry with brown rice,” says White.
White suggests making a homemade pizza at the end of the week with leftovers.
A homemade meal trumps unpredictable cafeteria food.
No fuss, no muss.
Cooking for one really doesn’t have to be a pain.
“Food is an outlet for creativity,” says White.
Cooking for yourself also allows you to adjust everything to your exact preferences.
Spicy, mild, acidicwhateveryoulike!"
