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The major inherent danger faced by singles in cooking is motivation. If we only have ourselves to cook for, we may skip meals because we can't be bothered cooking, cut corners in preparation of a balanced meal and end up with what is effectively a giant portioned snack, or worst of all perhaps, phone the local takeaway and order something swimming in saturated fats and chemical additives. This of course can be extremely habit forming if we don't nip it in the bud at an early stage and lead to all sorts of long term health problems.

Discipline and organisation are therefore the first requirements for singles looking to ensure they maintain a healthy diet. As each of our lifestyles is intrinsically different, we have to examine the best ways for ourselves in going about this process. This involves everything from when and where we shop to what we prepare when, where and how.

For the purposes of illustration, let us imagine that we are speaking about someone who works nine to five, five days a week, with one hour for lunch each day. The first thing this person has to do is arrange a set time for doing their bulk shopping each week. It could be a Tuesday night when there is nothing on TV, it could be early on a Saturday morning before they get in to the swing of the weekend. A time should be decided upon and stuck to whenever possible. Sundry items such as bread and milk can of course be picked up on a daily basis or as required from smaller, local stores.

The next step is to make a list each week of what is required. Do this on an ongoing basis by pinning it to a board in the kitchen or magnetising it to the door of the refrigerator. Add items to it as you think of them. Plan meals in advance by thinking, "I fancy xxx next Tuesday night," or, "yyy would be a good and quick dish to make on Thursday night when I don't have much time." In this way a plan is established, as opposed to a random search around the kitchen each evening.

Don't forget breakfast and lunches! A good breakfast is an important start to anyone's day and as few of us have the luxury of going home for lunch, the likelihood is that we will have to take something with us. Resist the temptation to visit the canteen or local sandwich bar. Prepare a healthy lunch the night before, box it up and place it in the refrigerator where it can simply be collected the next morning.

If meal ideas are a problem, do some Google searches on your favourite ingredients. For example, if you love beef but are getting bored with cooking it in the same old fashion, Google "healthy beef recipes" and see what you are offered. I think you may be astounded not just by the variety of recipes with which you are thus presented, but by the number of them!

By following these simple steps, it is therefore possible for all of us to eat proper meals, at the right time, consisting of the right, healthy ingredients.

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
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