Table for one?
Don't rely on instant mac-and-cheese for every meal

Jennifer Crossley,

Staff Writer

Last Updated:October 01. 2007 3:35PM
Published: October 03. 2007 3:30AM

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Associated Press

Stir-fry chicken packets are made by sealing chicken, vegetables and seasonings in a foil packet prior to baking.

A table for one can be lonely - or it can be the envy of two-person households who spend much more on meals than their single peers.

Whether you're living in a dorm room or a cubby-hole sized first apartment, at the end of the day, what to cook for supper is the question.

"Of course (being in a single person household), is going to cut down on the cost of food you purchase," said Mary J. Andrews, an urban regional extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, singles need not spend money on pricey foods to get a tasty, healthful meal.

Basics from the major food groups such as milk, vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, beans and bread provide the base for simple inexpensive meals.

One package of chicken breasts, for example, can make two or more meals for one person and can be grilled, fried or baked with different spices to add variety.

Andrews and various food Web sites offer tips and recipes to avoid eating instant macaroni every night of the week. [link]

Labels: food, shopping, tips