Gfcfsfef - What To Eat When You Can't Cook Or Bake?

[hitchhikers]

Hello, all! Forgive my newness - I tend not to register on forums until I've run into a problem that google or other people can't answer.

While I haven't been formally diagnosed or even tested yet, through several rounds of elimination diets and then challenges, I've discovered an extremely sensitive and severe intolerance to gluten, as well as intolerances to corn, unfermented soy, unfermented dairy, more than small amounts of even fermented dairy, more than small amounts of eggs, and more than small amounts of pm any grain (do best with rice, but even that makes me feel a bit queasy in moderate amounts, especially if brown or long-grain, and white leaves me feeling tired and hungry again not long after eating). I also have problems with raw veggies if I try to eat more than a serving or two at once (for instance, one banana is okay, sometimes two, but three or more and it's back to the bathroom).

My problem, is what to eat now? I'm not really in an environment that's conducive to cooking - I still live with my dad due to disabling adhd and anxiety, and not only do I not have the energy to do much cooking, but the mess I make in the process just from the combination of our faulty stove and my own deficits in energy and attention span/short term memory inspire name-calling, borderline verbal abuse, and fights so bad we both end up near-suicidal after.

Thus far, I've been subsisting on diet coke, taste of thai quick noodles, and greek yoghurt, but I can't handle enough of the latter two at a time to really ingest anywhere near enough calories, and it's getting to the point where I can't even get out of bed without nearly blacking out or getting strange, sudden heart palpitations (or both, fun!). I've tried finding gluten free frozen meals or items in stores around here, but even at the health food stores (I'm in Northwest Arkansas) I can't find gluten free things that don't still contain at least one other thing I'm intolerant to. I've tried meat, but you can only eat so much bacon without it getting expensive, and the only store around here where I can get pre-cooked poultry is Walmart, and they put those in the same display cases as their fresh-baked french bread, so.

So, any advice? Quick, microwavable or raw things that I could try to get nearer to a full and balanced diet?

Thank all y'all very much!

[llama3]

You have to cook. I'm sorry, but there's no way around it. I am in the same boat as you as far as all the sensitivities. I am not exactly the world's greatest cook either, but I'm getting better - and faster - at it.

The good news is that meals do not have to be complicated. For instance, you can steam or boil fresh veggies like zucchini, carrots, spinach, and green beans and eat them plain with a bit of salt. Takes about ten minutes and all you have to do is clean your knife and pan after. If you can eat nuts, they make a simple snack, but eat them in small amounts as they can be hard to digest. Buy frozen meat patties with nothing added to them and cook them in a skillet - fast and simple. If you can find fresh chicken breasts, you can poach them in a big pot, which takes very little work and cleanup, then put them in the fridge and you have protein for a few meals. Canned fish is also good - if you're really desperate you can eat it straight out of the can, but there are also simple things to do to make it tastier.

I highly recommend that you stop drinking diet coke. It has lots of artificial things in it that are bad for you and could actually be depleting your energy and causing neurological symptoms. Aspartame in particular is basically poison for your brain. It should be a banned substance.

If you stop drinking diet coke and start eating simple, cooked whole foods like meat and vegetables, you will probably find that you have more energy and less anxiety and that cooking no longer seems overwhelming. I am not a doctor but I am speaking from my own experience.

[hitchhikers]

Even cooking things in a skillet or boiling them still inspires a good deal of nasty remarks, even if I clean up immediately, so that's out, but I'll try steaming veggies in the microwave and see if those are tolerated.

And I do know how horrible the diet coke is, especially aspartame - even wrote a research paper a while back about the toxicity for a neurobio class - but I can't take any of my medications for adhd or depression anymore because of ingredients in them that make me sick, so unfortunately rn caffeine is the only thing keeping me in school (which in turn is the only way I can keep health insurance), and it's the only form of caffeine that I can tolerate (coffee just doesn't sit well, for some reason - I think it's the concentration of the caffeine, whereas carbonation has always made me feel much better when I've been having stomach problems, so in the diet coke i think it might combat those side effects of the caffeine). Definitely am going to cut it out, it's just not realistic quite at the moment.

ty!

[llama3]

Even cooking things in a skillet or boiling them still inspires a good deal of nasty remarks, even if I clean up immediately, so that's out, but I'll try steaming veggies in the microwave and see if those are tolerated.

Your dad gets upset if you just boil things in a pot? I'm really sorry that you have to deal with that. I don't know if it's possible to cook meat in a microwave and it sounds like you need meat to get your nutrients. If your dad leaves the house sometimes, maybe you could wait till he's gone and then cook a bunch of food and refrigerate it for the next few days.

If you can, I recommend peeling the zucchini before you cook it. I find that I digest it better without the peel.

And I do know how horrible the diet coke is, especially aspartame - even wrote a research paper a while back about the toxicity for a neurobio class - but I can't take any of my medications for adhd or depression anymore because of ingredients in them that make me sick, so unfortunately rn caffeine is the only thing keeping me in school (which in turn is the only way I can keep health insurance), and it's the only form of caffeine that I can tolerate (coffee just doesn't sit well, for some reason - I think it's the concentration of the caffeine, whereas carbonation has always made me feel much better when I've been having stomach problems, so in the diet coke i think it might combat those side effects of the caffeine). Definitely am going to cut it out, it's just not realistic quite at the moment.

I totally understand about needing caffeine. Have you tried tea? I can't drink coffee because it makes me jittery, but I do fine with tea. There are teas with different concentrations of caffeine, too - green usually has less than black, white has very low amounts - and there are other benefits to tea. Sorry if you have already tried it and found that it did not work.

I hope you find a solution that works for you!

[Strawberry-Jam]

For calories, try drinking 100% fruit/vegetable juice, or coconut milk, which had a good bit of fat in it.

Also, peanut butter and nut butters. I just eat 'em with a spoon.

Try steaming vegetables, or making mashed potatoes/mashed sweet potatoes--really easy, just cut up, boil, and mash with salt and a little olive oil (instead of butter). you can also add milk substitutes like almond milk if you want to make 'em creamy.

Making a huge pot of soup is pretty easy too. Cut up meat and veg, throw it in the pot with spices, boil and simmer for a while, then store in the fridge or freezer and eat on it for weeks.

I would use weekends to cook up large batches of things so you can just heat 'em up during the week.

Good luck.

EDIT -- saw the thing about you can't use the stove for anything. do you have a friend who would let you cook at his or her house...??

[Takala]

Lay off the Diet Coke and get a small, inexpensive microwave. Microwaves turn off when the time setting is done. Put the microwave in your room, along with a small table or cart to hold bowls, etc.

You can cook gluten free breads easily in the microwave in 1.5 to 2 minutes, in small ramekins. This is a no- brainer. You can use Pamela's gluten free mix, or make your own mixes/combinations, add water, yogurt, egg or egg replacer, vinegar and baking soda, stir well, and bake. A mixture of 1/3 each potato starch, buckwheat, and garbanzo flour does not need egg to work. If you cannot find ingredients, you can mail order. Nuts can be ground in a blender, and buckwheat can be ground in a coffee grinder. Potato starch usually can be found in regular groceries in the kosher section.

If you "have" to have a carbonated beverage, drink club soda with something added, like fruit juice or fresh ginger and lemon slices. Or mix it with concentrated ice tea sweetened with stevia, for the caffeine. You take water and heat it up in the microwave with 2 teabags in the cup, and you have tea concentrate for 4 glasses of iced tea.

[GFinDC]

Cooking once a week is probably a better fit for you. You could get a kitchen timer to set while you are cooking so you don't forget things. Cooking in a pressure cooker or crock pot is easy and there is little chance of it burning. Try searching for snacks on the forum, there are plenty of easy things to make and eat.

[Fairy Dancer]

Can you eat nuts?

Try not to drink too much diet soda as well. It may not be the case with you but personally I find I get a bad reaction to aspartame in the form of migraine headaches and mood swings. It also makes me feel very unwell in general. I used to love diet cherry cola and drank it every day. Sometime back I tried the paleo diet and took it out for a while. I have not been able to put it back into my diet since as I get a bad reaction to it every time. I will basically get one migraine after the other for as long as I persist in consuming it.

On stopping I will get one almighty cracking migraine then the migraines will stop.

[llama3]

Lay off the Diet Coke and get a small, inexpensive microwave. Microwaves turn off when the time setting is done. Put the microwave in your room, along with a small table or cart to hold bowls, etc.

You can cook gluten free breads easily in the microwave in 1.5 to 2 minutes, in small ramekins. This is a no- brainer. You can use Pamela's gluten free mix, or make your own mixes/combinations, add water, yogurt, egg or egg replacer, vinegar and baking soda, stir well, and bake. A mixture of 1/3 each potato starch, buckwheat, and garbanzo flour does not need egg to work. If you cannot find ingredients, you can mail order. Nuts can be ground in a blender, and buckwheat can be ground in a coffee grinder. Potato starch usually can be found in regular groceries in the kosher section.

I just wanted to point out that gluten-free breads are probably not a good idea since he is having problems with grains. I cannot eat those breads; all the flours and potato starch wreak havoc on my damaged digestive system.

The microwave in the room is a good idea though. I was wondering too about whether the OP might be able to use camping equipment in his room, like a small portable gas stove. There appear to be some at good prices on Amazon. That way your dad wouldn't have to see any mess? Just a thought.

[love2travel]

You mention a faulty oven - is it reliable at all? Is it large to hold just one cookie sheet?

Roasting vegetables is the way to go for best flavour rather than boiling. Just cut up whatever the veg is (i.e. carrots, fennel, potatoes, sweet potatoes, radishes, beets, tomatoes, zucchini, green beans - almost anything), toss with some oil, season well with salt and pepper and throw into the oven at about 400-425 and roast until done and starting to brown. The time, of course, depends on what you make. The key is to just cut up the veg relatively the same size so they all cook at the same time (i.e. to prevent from becoming over- or underdone).

After you become proficient, then season with different herbs and spices. Fresh thyme and rosemary are fantastic.

For many things you do not even need to peel first (ie. potatoes, sweet potatoes).

The easiest soup in the world is just this - roast tomatoes cut side up in a slow oven (i.e. 325) with slices of red pepper. Season liberally with salt and pepper and anything else you like. Roast until beginning to char and juices coming out. Toss into the blender and blend. Season if necessary. If too thick, thin with water or veg broth.

[kareng]

I just wanted to point out that gluten-free breads are probably not a good idea since he is having problems with grains. I cannot eat those breads; all the flours and potato starch wreak havoc on my damaged digestive system.

The microwave in the room is a good idea though. I was wondering too about whether the OP might be able to use camping equipment in his room, like a small portable gas stove. There appear to be some at good prices on Amazon. That way your dad wouldn't have to see any mess? Just a thought.

Don't think a camp stove indoors is a very good idea. The poster can't stay on task to finish cooking something and clean up the mess. I would worry that using a camp stove, not recommended to be used indoors, would be a disaster waiting to happen.

You can get " hot plates" for about $25. These are a plug in to the wall stove top burner.

Your comment about fresh fruits & veggies: did you mean you would eat 3 banana a day? Cause that can cause bathroom issues. Or just 3 servings of something fresh like carrot sticks, a banana & an apple?

A crock pot might be a better idea. Throw some chicken, little water, can of beans, bag of mixed veggies, salt & pepper & cook. Don't have to drain the beans. Add in some salsa or other seasonings. Cook for a few hours until the meat is done. Don't even have to cut up the chicken. Pretty low mess.

[llama3]

Don't think a camp stove indoors is a very good idea. The poster can't stay on task to finish cooking something and clean up the mess. I would worry that using a camp stove, not recommended to be used indoors, would be a disaster waiting to happen.

You can get " hot plates" for about $25. These are a plug in to the wall stove top burner.

Your comment about fresh fruits & veggies: did you mean you would eat 3 banana a day? Cause that can cause bathroom issues. Or just 3 servings of something fresh like carrot sticks, a banana & an apple?

A crock pot might be a better idea. Throw some chicken, little water, can of beans, bag of mixed veggies, salt & pepper & cook. Don't have to drain the beans. Add in some salsa or other seasonings. Cook for a few hours until the meat is done. Don't even have to cut up the chicken. Pretty low mess.

Thank you for commenting - I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than myself about these things would share their wisdom. I don't want to be responsible for anyone setting their house on fire!

[Juliebove]

You might find that your ADHD gets better or goes away once you have stuck to the diet for a few weeks. The school thought my daughter had it. Nope!

Are you sure your Walmart doesn't have other cooked meats? Our does and it doesn't even have a full sized grocery. Look with the lunch meats like sliced bologa or turkey. Even some of those might work for your diet. Most of the stores around here have cooked chicken breast in various forms. Some contains wheat. Some does not.

Nuts would be another suggestion for protein.

Most canned vegetables can be eaten straight from the can. My daughter and I love green beans. You can buy the low salt or simply rinse the regular ones to rid them of excess salt. Black beans, kidney beans and the like have protein in them too.

If you are okay with cooked fruit, you can get sugar free applesauce and other fruits packed in their own juices.

What about canned tuna or chicken? Yes, canned chicken can be expensive but we often find coupons for it. Use your computer and look up companies that make foods you can eat. Write to them via their website and praise their products. They'll likely send you coupons you can use.

Instant mashed potatoes can be made in the microwave with just water, salt and pepper. Add a little olive oil if you can tolerate that. I use a lot more black pepper to compensate for the lack of milk or butter. Or you could use chicken or beef broth in place of the water. Beware of the Walmart brand though. It is made on shared lines.

Raw meat can be cooked in the microwave. I haven't actually tried it in many years. I didn't personally like the way it came out but then I'm not a big meat eater. Perhaps someone here can tell you how to do that. Or you can cook it in a foil packet in the oven. That way there is nothing to clean up. Here is a recipe that my daughter and husband love. I don't personally like it but... Anyway...

Open Original Shared Link

Scroll down and someone tells you how to cook it in the oven.

[UKGail]

If the OP is very sensitive to corn, then tinned foods might be a problem (due to the can being lined with a corn-derived product)- see posts by Bartfull who is trying to manage a severe corn intolerance and can't eat canned food. Hopefully the OP is not as sensitive as this, as canned meat, vegetables and fruit are great for easy, wholesome meals.

As Kareng mentioned, a crock pot is a great way to cook up a large batch of easy, tasty and nutritious food and is safe for ADHD sufferers.