No-Cooking Celiac Options?

[Strawberry-Jam]

hi,

 

I am gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.

 

I have severe depression and most days do not have the energy nor inclination to cook from scratch like I usually do. Eating at or ordering from restaurants gives me too much anxiety about CC that it's not worth it, unless the entire place is gluten-free.

 

I've been eating crap like rice cakes, bologna, sausage, chips, sometimes store-bought guacomole. sometimes I bake chicken or splurge on coconut-milk ice cream.

 

I don't own a microwave.

 

I'm taking a food-based multi to try and address any problems with malnutrition. sometimes I don't eat vegetables in days.

 

food budget is a maximum of $350/month, less if my depression keeps affecting my ability to work.

 

I'm just trying to hold on until a series of appointments where I can begin getting treatment.

[nvsmom]

I'm sorry things are so tough for you right now.  

 

My go to foods are nuts and eggs.  They're not cheap but they are filling.  

 

When you do cook, make enough for plenty of leftovers that can be reheated when you need them

 

Best wishes.

[LauraTX]

I want to say go for maybe something like crock pot or baked stuff.  Something off the top of my head is a pot roast in the crock pot with potatoes and veggies.  If you dont have a crock pot you can start it on the stove top and move to a low oven.  Baked chicken and veggies, all you have to do is buy it and throw it in there.  If you boil veggies in a pot or do them in a steam basket in a pot, the cleanup can just be a rinse off.   As someone who has bad days where I can't do much, I highly recommend cooking in batches on the days you do feel good, and freezing it in individual portions.  

[Strawberry-Jam]

eggs are pretty cheap. nuts, not so much. I have trouble with fats but I'll keep buying them for snacking on in the office.

 

crock pot, don't have it but have been meaning to get one. I guess if I get the little potatoes I don't have to chop them up even.

 

I do have some frozen veg I could just cook in a pot I guess. I'm having trouble with the motivation to eat in general but I do like peas. peas are good for you, right?

[SMRI]

I do my roast beef in the oven.  It's simple...season the beef however you want, put in a covered pan ( I use my frying pan) in the oven at 250 for 4-6 hours.  It is fall apart tender and the drippings make a great gravy if you like that.  You could make a larger roast and then use the meat to make soup, sandwiches, and just leftovers for the next several days. Buy a bag of mixed, frozen veges to make the soup.  Baked potatoes are easy too--clean, poke some holes in them, stick in the oven at 375 for an hour.  I have a crock pot but rarely use it.  I just never got into the habit.  I also have a toaster oven that I use a lot.  I got it to replace my toaster when I was diagnosed and it's perfect for cooking for one.  I will toss in some chicken and potatoes to cook when I get home from work.  I get the baby potatoes a lot.  I just give them a light coating of olive oil and sprinkle with some kind of seasoning and put in the toaster oven.  I get the frozen packages of chicken breasts and put one in, often still frozen, with the potatoes.  Warm up some veges on the stove and you have a nice, healthy meal.  If you like zucchini, I'll often make that with the potatoes and chicken.  I cut it in 1/2 lengthwise, spritz with olive oil and season however--usually some Parmesan cheese, but often just salt and pepper.  It's actually very filling so I'll make some meat and just the zucchini if I'm not all that hungry.

[Strawberry-Jam]

some of that stuff is too much work. sometimes, either I can pull it out of the package and eat it, or I don't eat.

 

obviously when I feel well I cook huge batches of things but the problem is getting worse, not better.

[kareng]

What about things like fruit that doesn't need much prep? - apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, melons, etc? Veggies that are easy to use & eat raw like tomatoes, carrot sticks, celery, brocoli, etc? Dip in a bottled salad dressing.   Potatoes & sweet potatoes just need to go in the oven for 45 minutes to eat. Throw some pieces of raw or cooked chicken in a pot with water and a bag of frozen veggies on the stove top. Canned beans, Peanut butter, quick cook rice? Rotisserie chickens at many places are gluten-free. Packaged cold cuts.

 

 

Adding -  Hormel has a lot of gluten-free products like canned stew & canned meats.  You could eat it straight from the can or briefly heat it on the stove.

 

file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Hormel_Foods_Products_Without_Gluten.pdf

 

Most hot dogs are gluten-free and fully cooked.  Or throw in a pot of hot water for a couple of minutes.

 

I have seen packaged peeled hard boiled eggs - I haven't looked but I would think they are gluten-free.

 

 Canned refried beans are ready to eat.  You could spread them on a corn tortilla or just eat with a spoon.  Or spread on a slice of deli meat.

 

Canned or the little cups of "canned fruits" are easy and inexpensive.  Apple sauce.  Pie filling from the can.

 

Progresso has canned gluten-free soups - you could eat them straight from the can or heat for a minute.    

 

Chex cereal.  Bagged salads and a salad dressing.

[brooklyngal]

Seconding fruits and vegetables that don't need much prep. Bananas are very filling. Also:

 

• Sandwiches. Gluten-free bread can be expensive, but you can also use rice cakes or corn tortillas.
• Salads. You can buy bagged lettuce and just toss it in a bowl.
• String cheese
• Boxed or canned soup that you just have to heat up
• Gluten-free pasta
• Yogurt. You can have it plain or add gluten-free granola, fruit, etc.
• Gluten-free cereal

I eat this way even when I'm feeling great! It saves time, especially if you work full-time in an office.

[SMRI]

some of that stuff is too much work. sometimes, either I can pull it out of the package and eat it, or I don't eat.

 

obviously when I feel well I cook huge batches of things but the problem is getting worse, not better.

 

The things I suggested are easy, which is why I posted them.  The prep work for making that roast is about as difficult as warming up a can of soup, same with baked potatoes.  Eating better will probably help you.

[edgymama]

Hummus! Salsas! You can use veggies (my favorite are the mini sweet bella peppers and I don't even cut these I just dip and crunch away and then toss the seeded area) or you can use gluten free tortilla chips or crackers as well. Do you do peanut butter? All sorts of nut butters on gluten free crackers or wraps or breads are easy and nutritious.

 

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time  do you have any close friends you can talk to? If not definitely bring it up to your doctor. 

[Strawberry-Jam]

if I can make it another two weeks, I have a psychiatrist appointment, and seeing as I've had this same problem on and off since 2008, it's probably time to try medication.

 

good idea about the mini bell peppers, I like peppers, and there's gluten free hummus everywhere around here.

 

I was avoiding peanuts but I can get my butt to whole foods and get some sunflower seed and almond butter eventually. I eat that stuff on the, what is it, the lundberg brand rice cakes.

 

@SMRI -- I do have a toaster oven I bake chicken in, I didn't think to add veg with the chicken at the same time. I can totally do that. if you cook chicken from frozen how much longer do you put it in for?

[kareng]

if I can make it another two weeks, I have a psychiatrist appointment, and seeing as I've had this same problem on and off since 2008, it's probably time to try medication.

 

good idea about the mini bell peppers, I like peppers, and there's gluten free hummus everywhere around here.

 

I was avoiding peanuts but I can get my butt to whole foods and get some sunflower seed and almond butter eventually. I eat that stuff on the, what is it, the lundberg brand rice cakes.

 

@SMRI -- I do have a toaster oven I bake chicken in, I didn't think to add veg with the chicken at the same time. I can totally do that. if you cook chicken from frozen how much longer do you put it in for?

 

 

If you know anyone with a Costco membership - I have found almond butter there in a bigger jar for the cost of a jar half that size.

 

Also, a crockpot is about $17-20 at Walmart or Target.  And I got my son a good microwave for about $60 at Walmart.  So, something to save up for or ask for for Christmas?  These 2 items would open up a whole lot of super easy cooking options for you.

 

I think seeing the doctor sounds like a good idea.  

[SMRI]

if I can make it another two weeks, I have a psychiatrist appointment, and seeing as I've had this same problem on and off since 2008, it's probably time to try medication.

 

good idea about the mini bell peppers, I like peppers, and there's gluten free hummus everywhere around here.

 

I was avoiding peanuts but I can get my butt to whole foods and get some sunflower seed and almond butter eventually. I eat that stuff on the, what is it, the lundberg brand rice cakes.

 

@SMRI -- I do have a toaster oven I bake chicken in, I didn't think to add veg with the chicken at the same time. I can totally do that. if you cook chicken from frozen how much longer do you put it in for?

 

If it is a boneless chicken breast, maybe 5 or 10 minutes???  I use a meat thermometer so I don't really time how long they bake but I think maybe around 30 minutes vs 20 for thawed.

[Strawberry-Jam]

If you know anyone with a Costco membership - I have found almond butter there in a bigger jar for the cost of a jar half that size.

 

Also, a crockpot is about $17-20 at Walmart or Target.  And I got my son a good microwave for about $60 at Walmart.  So, something to save up for or ask for for Christmas?  These 2 items would open up a whole lot of super easy cooking options for you.

 

I think seeing the doctor sounds like a good idea.  

 

I can afford a microwave, I just have nowhere to put it, space-wise. I had to choose between a microwave or a toaster oven, and I like the toaster oven better...

[squirmingitch]

You've had some great suggestions. Yes, peas are good for you! You like raw peas? Snow peas, just wash them & eat them - yum! Did you know peas are loaded with iron? Tuna or salmon right out of the can, just pop the top, grab a fork & dig in. 

Raisins

gluten-free chili in a can --- bake a potato, slice lengthwise, spoon on chili & pop back in the toaster oven till the chili is hot.

Sunbutter on bananas or apples. 

gluten-free Chex oatmeal.

Bush's beans are gluten-free:

Open Original Shared Link

They make several formulas of baked beans -- you can pop the top, grab a fork & eat them out of the can. 

Look at all of these choices:

Open Original Shared Link

Bagged baby spinach leaves -- wash them & eat them raw; for that matter you can just eat cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash raw & they're very tasty.

[Strawberry-Jam]

I got some spinach in the store that came with almonds and dried blueberries and that's good stuff

 

idk why I never thought to put sunflower seed butter on apples, what a good idea (I need to get some of that now)

 

I like snow peas ok and sugar snap peas a lot

[squirmingitch]

I'm sorry, somewhere I got the impression you couldn't have nuts. If you can have almonds then you can have almond butter as well as cashew butter (my favorite!). You can also use any of the nut butters on celery. 

[BlessedMommy]

This thread has some great ideas. 

 

I went and looked and found the small cans of Bush's baked beans with the pop off top. Now I have another option for my road kit!

[BlessedMommy]

Hummus and veggies is a great fast snack.

[CathyO]

I'm as lazy as they come. (Fibromyalgia and old age related nonsense.)

On good days, I cook.
I freeze leftovers so I can thaw and eat.

San J makes some good gluten-free sauces and marinades.  I dump those in the crockpot with some chicken parts and cook on low.
Frozen chicken even.  I have a rice cooker and make big batches of rice (takes about the same amount of time as a small batch!), dump in rice, water and push the button. Beeps when it's done.

When I boil eggs, I do up a bunch at once. Quantity, and the rest go in fridge so all I have to do is grab and eat.
Cottage cheese and fruit. I like some peaches I found in a jar that are packed with no sugar.

Perdue makes Simply Smart breaded gluten-free chicken strips. I found them here at the end of the earth in our local grocery store.

90 seconds in the microwave with some gluten-free honey mustard dip or gluten-free bbq sauce to dip.  I'd say in your toaster oven they wouldn't take long, either. They're pretty tasty and some protein.

 

Hummus and rice crackers.

I buy gluten-free rice pudding for snacks.

 

I find that I feel physically better if I eat small amounts every 2-3 hours vs. huge meals 3 times a day. So I'm a grazer.

gluten-free bagels and cream cheese or nut butter.

I also like (and this might sound weird) gluten-free bagel with cream cheese and sliced green olives.

 

When my energy is really low, I eat a tablespoon of nut butter right off the spoon. It helps.

 

I buy salmon (can't eat tuna for some reason) in the foil envelopes. Dump it in a bowl with some  mayo and whatever else I have. If I have an egg boiled, add that. Cherry tomatoes. Garlic powder. Pickle relish. I eat it with rice crackers.

 

Those are just some easy things I do when I can't function well.

 

[BlessedMommy]

Yes, San-J sauces are awesome! Stir fry is a staple easy meal in our house! 

[BlessedMommy]

I also use the rice cooker. It's a fast way to cook grains and I don't have to babysit it while it's cooking. I cook white basmati rice, quinoa, millet, oatmeal, etc. in it. 

[BlessedMommy]

I normally cook a lot but we just had a death in the family and of course, I cannot eat any of the meals that people send over. So here's what I'm doing:

 

--Lots of Amy's frozen dinners

--Freshly made carrot juice

--Salads

--Smoothies

--Hard boiled eggs

--Kind bars

--Nut butter/soy cream cheese with apple slices

--Beyond Meat chicken free strips quickly cooked up with potatoes or veggies, with a little gluten free soy sauce

--Udi's granola and soymilk

 

I'm trying to keep it healthy, but simply and of course, be as careful as ever about staying gluten free. I don't need to be worrying about getting glutened on top of everything else! A friend told me that she was bringing a gluten free pasta dish to the funeral dinner, but I won't be partaking. I'll just whip up a little stir fry and quinoa and carry it along with maybe a KIND bar for dessert.

[squirmingitch]

I'm sorry to hear of the death in your family Ruth. {{{{{{{{{{Ruth}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[nvsmom]

I normally cook a lot but we just had a death in the family and of course, I cannot eat any of the meals that people send over. So here's what I'm doing:

 

 

I'm sorry to hear that.    Best wishes to you and your family.