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The Kitchen Table

Are you living alone and your fridge is always packed?

16 years ago

Every time someone comes over, he/she can't seem to understand why 1) I have a huge 25 cu.ft. fridge and 2) it's always so fill with food. Even the freezer side is fully packed.

I love to cook and I normally don't cook just for 1 person. I freeze the leftovers for another time, sort of making my own TV dinners. I vacuumed pack so they last longer in the freezer. Maybe that's why the fridge is so packed up all the time.

I do eat almost all the food though. I waste very little food.

Do any of you, single cook, have the same situation?

Natalie

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Comments (18)

joyfulguy
16 years ago
Yes.

Yes.

A bit of space available today, as I was almost out of milk.

ole joyful
rosemaryt
16 years ago
When I was single, the fridge was bare. Had some yogurt and fruit juices and a few veggies in there and that was about it.

I had trouble cooking, because I didn't want to bother for just one person *and* after cooking for a fam for 25 years, I was ready for a break.

I have a friend who keeps her 21-foot fridge stuffed and has another 18-foot fridge in the basement that is also stuffed. It's just the two of them (she and hubby), so that's a lot of food for two people.

Rose
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alisande
16 years ago
Yup. Fresh fruits and vegetables and salad stuff take up a lot of room, for one thing. Plus there's my yogurt addiction. I buy plain yogurt by the quart, several at a time. And I feel secure if I know I'm in no danger of running out of soymilk, so.....

Then there are the containers. This time of year I like to make soups, and I usually have a couple of different kinds in the fridge, ready for me whenever I feel like eating. (Which is often.)
Eliza_ann_ca
16 years ago
I have always said that in emergency conditions,we would be the last family to run out of food.
I have two large fridges and an upright freezer,and they're all usually full.
Theres just the two of us at home,but it's like a security thing for me.I'm not sure why,I didn't grow up in a family that had to do without,as a matter of fact my mom was the same way...always tons of food in the house.
I'm the same way with my pantry...keep a full stock of packaged and canned foods on hand at all times.
ninos
16 years ago
My moms fridge is always full. Mostly of packaged food and things that do not belong in the fridge. It makes me insane when we go to her house for the holidays. If you brought a dish(upon her request) there is no room in the fridge.
phyllis__mn
16 years ago
I find it's those little jars of jam, mustards, etc. that take up a lot of room. I do use the porch as a cooler in the winter, which helps.....believe me, it's cold enough!
jannie
16 years ago
It's just me and DH. Yesterday I went thru my fridge and disposed of expired food, shredded BBQ beef and a can of whipped cream from September 2007.
kim_okla
16 years ago
I don't usually have much. Always have Diet Coke and Diet root beer. At the moment I have some eggs and cheese.

I keep the dogs' milk bones, peanut butter and rice in there.

Freezer only has low carb ice cream.
gadgets
16 years ago
Natalie: You've described me to a 't'. THE only time my fridge looks sort of empty is the day I'm going to the store to buy my fresh fruits and vegetables. I cook for a family even though there's only me, and freeze the rest.

Shirley
ruthieg__tx
16 years ago
My fridge is nearly always full and half the time it's with stuff that needs to be tossed...but I cook almost every night and I also do the extra cooking so I can freeze stuff...Honestly though...my freezers are full and I haven't a clue what all is in there..I need to re-organize everything.
angelaid
16 years ago
I live alone. Frig is full. Half the stuff will probably get tossed. I'm vacuuming stuff with the Reynold's Handi Vac (LOVE that thing) in a real concerted effort to not waste so much food. But I love to cook and I won't eat leftovers.
I have a girlfriend and her two boys over every Friday night for "game night". They get a mish mash of leftovers and they love it. (I think they pretty much live on processed, microwave, foods during the week) I get my frig cleaned out. It's a win/win situation. LOL
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
16 years ago
I have a small Apartment sized refrigerator. I'm surprised the door doesn't fall off because of all the condiments. At least 3-4 Containers of Juice. I save left overs and use them too.

Gayle
glenda_al
16 years ago
I love to cook, which was my major in college, even taught home ec, BUT I do not enjoy cooking for myself.

So my refrigerator is EMPTY literally!

Sounds like snow, this weekend, so I'm off to get some things to eat, just in case I cannot get out for my usual dining out daily.
frostedc
16 years ago
I hate shopping for groceries, so I
buy for 2 weeks at a time. It's only
hubby and I, but I cook everyday.
When I was single, I bought more pre-prepared food,
because I didn't like cooking just for me.
ntt_hou
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all of your responds. You just made this girl feels normal =o)

I'm not obsessed with food but like some of you, I need to feel "well fed". You're right, it's a security kind of thingy. And yes, most of the food in the fridge are bread, veggies and fruits. They do take lots of room.

Same with the pantry too here.

Perhaps, it's a cultural thing. In my country, we do want to put on a few extra pounds as we grow older, not obese, just a few pounds. It's a nobel kind of thingy. If you have extra pounds on your body, it means that you have more than enough money and you're well fed. If you're a skinny one, then, you don't have enough.

I don't have that many extra pounds on me but I do want extra pounds of food in my fridge =)

Well, off to make Blueberry Salad =)

You all have a great weekend!

PS: Love to hear more from you!
sue_va
16 years ago
My fridge often looks close to empty. Since I am alone, fresh veggies often go bad before I use them. I always have eggs, butter, cheese, milk and I keep potato chips in the fridge.

I make soups and put several packs in the freezer, so there are probably 5-6 there now. Always 1 or 2 half gallons of ice cream. I use a lot of frozen veggies, and love those SteamFresh bags.

I am not a big eater, so it doesn't take a lot. I do buy ahead on canned and packaged goods, so I have what I need.

Some people live to eat; I eat to live!

Sue
flattie_2008
16 years ago
When I was single, the fridge was usually about 1/3 full - 1/2 if I was on a cooking jag. My freezer was always full.

Now that I'm married, it's closer to 2/3 to 3/4 full. And we could really use an additional small freezer at this point.
organic_donna
16 years ago
I live alone and cook everyday for myself. I shop once a week and my fridge is always empty. Whole foods is really expensive and I budget between $80-100 a week on food. That equals two bags of groceries that are usually gone in a few days.
I wish I could buy a lot more fruit and vegetables but they are so expensive.
donna

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