r/Cooking • u/No-Track8132 • 1d ago
Good reheatable foods for a depressed, picky eater?
My friend is quite predisposed to being depressed and also just went through a breakup and I'd like to make her some meals that she can heat up and eat. She's also kind of a picky eater. If you're wondering what kind of things she eats, just think about child picky eater's safe foods, and you've probably got a good idea of what she's into. Would like it to be halfway decent reheated and maybe be freezable. We aren't really worried about a balanced diet here. That's not really a realistic expectation right now. Just calories that she'll be willing to consume.
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u/LaRosaDeGuadaloop 1d ago
I’m not a picky eater but ima picky reheater lol. An air fryer will be her best friend. Ground turkey tacos, Trader Joe’s chicken nuggets, their orange chicken is so good too! W some ric and broccoli
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u/Cheesiepup 1d ago
Their orange chicken, rice and broccoli is a default meal here. it’s even good cold. Good choice.
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u/Adam_Weaver_ 1d ago edited 1d ago
A basic mac and cheese might work. Kids love the mac and it's calorie-dense.
Also, your friend might need professional help too, but you probably already knew that.
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u/pwrslide2 1d ago
you can make it heathier with a Red Lentil Pasta. Also a bit of a natural peppery taste.
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u/No-Track8132 18h ago
yes she's definitely getting some. I'm just trying to supplement her support system.
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u/aoibhealfae 1d ago
If you want to be a good friend, Lasagna. A lot of work but hope they'll feel the love with each bite.
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u/kathryn_sedai 1d ago
I recently had good success with storebought puff pastry and ground sausage meat. Mix with panko and some frozen mixed veggies (for health I guess), roll out the puff into a rectangle, put the sausage meat in a line. Roll the pastry over, crimp the edges, cut into pieces. Bake. They freeze and reheat super well.
When I say sausage meat, I buy it straight from the butcher but you could also get actual sausages, cut them open, and use the innards.
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u/tjlusco 1d ago
Are sausage rolls not common across the world? Bakery / petrol station staple in Australia. Home made and precooked in the freezer, they reheat in a microwave in 2 minutes.
Here is a good recipe it’s basically what you described. Use beef, pork, or sausage mince. The bacon is a worthy addition. Skip the fennel for kids and picky eaters.
https://www.recipetineats.com/special-pork-fennel-sausage-rolls/#jump-watch
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u/kathryn_sedai 1d ago
Sure, they’re common, that’s why I suggested as they’d be appropriate for a picky eater. Your recipe sounds nice (Nagi is great) but a bit more labour intensive than the quick version I outlined.
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u/gatitamonster 1d ago
I have severe depression and I’m pretty convinced that frozen mango chunks have saved me from scurvy more than once.
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u/Past-Experience9539 1d ago
Chili, chicken tortilla soup, lasagna, shepherds pie
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u/Mobile_Moment5123 1d ago
Soups and stews are great comfort food, and the leftovers can easily be reheated. I think chicken soup is a classic comfort food. Maybe vary it up by chicken & rice or chicken noodle soup, and there's always chicken chili verde or blanco.
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u/mizuaqua 1d ago
Pre-made white rice is good for this, it’s available at Costco. Canned chicken & rice soup is reliable. Canned peaches.
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u/No_Classic_8051 1d ago
Homemade chicken nuggets or breaded fish sticks are easy to prep in bulk, freeze, and reheat in the oven or air fryer. Pair them with simple sides like mashed potatoes or plain rice for something familiar.
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u/Comntnmama 1d ago
Cheese sticks, goldfish, apple sauce squeezies, yogurt, fruit snacks.
Mac and cheese, frozen lasagna, tater tots, chicken nuggets.
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u/ShockContent7165 1d ago
you can freeze individual portions of lasagna and reheat them in the oven or even the microwave!
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u/nifty-necromancer 1d ago
You could make things like mac and cheese, buttered pasta, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, or quesadillas since they reheat well and are usually safe bets. You might also try casseroles or baked ziti that can be frozen in portions, so she can heat them up when she feels like eating.
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u/Haedono 1d ago
first of all i hope it gets better fast. And if she stays depressed for long getting professional help might be a good idea.
Freezer space isnt endless so maybe your friend has some canned/jared foods she enjoys. Like chili, soups or pastas which are not more work then heating some frozen stuff and might keep even longer. Besides meals something like individual servings of brownies to reheat could be a cool idea or just popcorn or cookies as snacks.
Maybe dont worry too much most things can be reheated well enough and if you have already an idea what she likes and what she doesnt like just stick to it. I doubt you should meal prep for a whole month in advance for her at some point it will get better and it would be a good thing for her to get up and make something herself.
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u/that_one_shandalou 1d ago
I will always vote spaghetti for this! It's easy to make a lot of and pretty customizable. Red sauce or just diced tomatoes, meat or no meat, assorted veg if desired, lots of cheese! (I like mine with cheddar lol)
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u/jm90012 1d ago
First of all, you are a great friend for being so caring
Second of all, your friend is depressed AND picky? That's a luxury. Or spoiled.
When I got depressed, I eat anything available 🤣.
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u/No-Track8132 18h ago
oh she's definitely led a pretty privileged life up to this point, but I love her.
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u/BoxOk3157 1d ago
Chicken noodle soup always warms the soul and it’s easy to sip just out of a cup. A fruit or vegetable tray would last a few days in the fridge with a few slices of meat and cheese and crackers just to nibble on throughout the day
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u/LukeSkywalkerDog 1d ago
When I was in a similar situation, a friend made me stuffed cabbage rolls, with rice and ground beef. When the tomato sauce is added, you have a meal that includes vegetables, starch, fiber, and protein. They freeze quite well. The really nice thing is that a person can take out just one, or as many as they like. Sometimes people who are depressed, lack appetite.
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u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 1d ago
Mac&cheese, butter noodles, chicken tender, mini meatball w pasta, grill cheese sammys (freeze&reheat in pan), cheesy rice, mash potato w gravy, bake ziti, chicken&rice casserole, quesadilla, pizza roll, breakfast burrito, pancake/waffle, cheesy scramble eggs, plain/cheesy stuff shells, soft tacos w ground beef, soup/stew, lasagna, chicken/veg pot pie
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u/Bugaloon 16h ago
I go through depressive periods (20+ years with diagnosed depression) where I won't want to cook most of the day, I meal prep a bunch of bacon and egg muffins. A few egg rings so they're the right size to fit on the muffins or a sheet tray with walls and cut into squares, scrambled reheats best. I wrap 'em in wax paper and keep them in the fridge for a few months. They take like 2 mins in the microwave and you can eat them without any dishes. Frozen soups are also amazing, microwave, bowl, spoon, dinner.
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u/pwrslide2 1d ago
I can pick out a ton of things that would be good and relatively quick or easy to make, but if your picky eater doesn't like onions, or mushrooms, or . . . etc, then this thread is pretty worthless for me to make a real recommendation.
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u/sealsarescary 1d ago
If your friend is really in a bad way, uncrustables and lunchables. Why make reheating an additional step or barrier?