Lunch Shouldn't Need a Committee Meeting

You open the refrigerator. There is food in it. Somehow, lunch is still a question.

A few familiar meals and a short grocery list can give that question an answer. If you cook for one or two, start with the next three days. Keep the choices yours, and make room for a day when you would rather spend your energy elsewhere.

Start with meals you actually like

Write down three lunches you would be happy to eat this week. They can be as ordinary as soup and toast, a sandwich with fruit, or a favorite meal you already know how to prepare. Repeating a favorite is perfectly reasonable.

Next, look at your calendar. An appointment morning might be a good day for something with very little preparation. A quieter afternoon might suit cooking. Choose a meal that fits each day, with one easy backup for changed plans.

Shop for the week you are having

Before making the grocery list, check the refrigerator, freezer and cupboard. See what you already have and what you will need for those meals. FDA's food-waste guidance recommends planning meals, using a shopping list and checking supplies before buying more.

Write amounts beside the items. "Two apples" tells a helper more than "fruit." A smaller package may suit your plans better than a large one you will struggle to finish. Think about what you will realistically use, including snacks and drinks you enjoy.

If someone else shops, be specific about substitutes: "If they are out of this soup, call me," or "Any brand of this item is fine." Those little details help keep someone else's convenience from becoming your unwanted lunch.

Make the preparation fit you

Think through the work between bringing groceries home and sitting down to eat. Would pre-cut ingredients be useful? Is a container hard to open? Would having groceries unpacked make the afternoon easier?

Choose the amount of preparation that feels manageable for you. Asking someone to carry bags or open a stubborn package can be a practical way to keep making your own meal choices. Ask for help with anything that would involve climbing, awkward reaching or carrying more than you can comfortably manage.

If family members want to pitch in, give them one clear job: pick up the list, help prepare an ingredient, or join you for lunch. You can decide which kind of help you want.

Your next-shopping-trip checklist

• Which three meals sound good?
• What ingredients do I already have?
• Which day needs the easiest option?
• What amounts should go on the list?
• What substitutions are okay?
• Would help with shopping, carrying or preparation be useful?

Put cold food away first

Make unpacking refrigerated groceries the first job when you get home. FDA says food that needs refrigeration should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour when the air is above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, check it with an appliance thermometer, and follow package storage directions. See FDA's food-storage guidance for details.

Then put your short meal plan somewhere you will notice it. When tomorrow's lunch rolls around, you have a starting point and permission to change your mind.

Home Sweet Home Care welcomes questions from older adults and families in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Manatee County. Have a question about everyday non-medical help? You can reach us at (941) 200-0848.