Prepackaged Meals for One

[Jengerbread88]

My grandmother is pretty sick, and her oxygen levels are low (she has COPD). Her problem is, she's lost 10 lbs in the past month. She is caring for two ailing sisters (one with ALS, one with Lung Cancer), and not really taking care of herself.

Her doctor suggested that, despite them being high in sodium and all that, my grandmother purchase pre-packaged meals for one that she can eat without a lot of effort. Standing for much more than 5-10 minutes when she gets home is just too rough on her, and she needs something that can be prepared quickly.

We've found some microwavable options like the Hormel Compleats, Marie Callendar's shelf stable meals, and even individually packaged Cordon Bleu and such. I've found a few side dishes like frozen steamable rice or veggies.

But I want to know if you guys have any other suggestions. We're trying to go beyond the "frozen dinner" like Banquet or something... we want meals she can build herself (finding a meat option, a vegetable option, etc, individually packaged) so if she wants Corn plus chicken one night but corn plus steak the next, it is an idea.

I just need things that aren't more than a few minutes to prepare. Do you guys have ANY ideas? Have you seen any simple or prepackaged meals that I can look for next time I go? Even meals for two that she could hold onto one serving and eat the other would be great...

[scrapsandsass]

I don't know if they have them in your area, but places like Dinner's Ready or something similar has meals that you can prepare (or just purchase) that are way better than frozen stuff from the store. You can pick and choose what you want and also put it together based on the serving size. You end up freezing them, but they are mostly things you can pop into the oven later or are pretty easy to heat up. Just a thought.

[MamaBee]

I don't know how much time others in your family have or how much freezer space she has... but when my grandpa had hip surgery, my mom made a bunch of plates of single servings, wrapped them up and put them in the freezer, then they just had to put in the microwave and "cook"... for example - a couple of slices of meat loaf, stuffing, and a side of corn or slices of turkey, gravy, and green beans... it worked really well for them.

Otherwise - is there Meals on Wheels program in the area that could deliver meals to her?

[newfiemountiewife]

I was going to ask if anyone in your family (or you) could cook her some meals to put in her freezer that she could warm up in the microwave. I'm sure they'd be a lot tastier and healthier than the prepacked ones.

[emmasmommy]

i'd definitely check into the meals on wheels option in your area. i know it's a lifesaver for a lot of folks in our small town.

[Jengerbread88]

We're trying to go down there to cook her some meals, but, it's really hard to plan a way down there, especially with gas prices, so, I'm not sure us making her meals is an option right now.

As for meals on wheels, she said they won't deliver to her. So, I don't really know what the deal is there.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[julifish]

Are you in the US? If so, is she on a health plan vs. Medicare? If so you can call the health plan on her behalf and ask to speak with Health Services or a Health Nurse. They might be able to help you with some local resources and her doctor could do the same and they would help get her some Meals on Wheels type food.

Is there any way you could contact a church in her area where the members of the church could help bring her food?

What about some of the frozen veggie and pasta mixes by Birds Eye? She could mix in some of the Louis Rich pre cut/pre cooked chicken breast. Or if someone could make her a bunch of chicken all at once it could be cut up and frozen in small servings so she could mix it in to things.

Hope you find a solution that works for you. Where does she live if you don't mind me asking?

[Jengerbread88]

Juli, we're in the US, and I'm not sure which her health insurance is.... I'll have to ask.

She has a church that she attends regularly, but right now the members are stretched thin with her family as it is... about 1/3 of the membership is directly related to her, and as I mentioned, with my two aunts, they both have to have people staying the night to care for them and everything. It's putting a big strain on the church as it is, so I know she is afraid to ask, and none of her sisters will ask for her (the healthy ones, that is). I may have to make a call myself and see what can be done.

I will take note of the veggie and pasta mixes, as well as the chicken idea. That may be a pretty easy meal for her to make right now!

She lives in Springfield, Mo. I've tried looking at places that prepare meals for you, but, I'm just having trouble finding things. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

I've confirmed with her we'll be visiting next month, but I am trying to find some solutions to get her through until I can go there and cook some stuff for her. Right now she's subsisting on orange juice and nutrigrain bars, and occasionally popcorn. NOT good for her!

[melrio]

My MIL is elderly and is unable to stand for long periods of time. We have access to a church that has AngelFoodMinistries. She purchases the B4 package and they are heat & serve. Check their website for a location that's near her, if its an option.

[Jengerbread88]

Originally Posted by melrio

My MIL is elderly and is unable to stand for long periods of time. We have access to a church that has AngelFoodMinistries. She purchases the B4 package and they are heat & serve. Check their website for a location that's near her, if its an option.

We regularly buy Angel Food, but we haven't had success with the heat and serve package. It seems there are a few she'd eat, but most that she wouldn't, so we haven't found it to be worth the money yet (it's easier to just go get her a bunch of foods she WOULD eat, than throw away the half of the foods she wouldn't). Angel Food has been GREAT for us (our family helps run it at our church), but it hasn't been a good experience for her.

I'll definitely mention it to her again, though!