Dining alone

Dora when I'm on my own, I cook and eat properly like you do, excepting I might sit on the sofa with my plate on a lap tray . When I'm eating at the table on my own, I will sometimes prop up a book and read at the same time.

I don't understand how for some people cooking is a chore, it's always a pleasure for me to prepare a meal whether it is for one or for many.

I can't say I 'dine' alone but I often eat by myself. Usually my main meal at night is a nice one almost invariably followed by yoghurt and fruit as dessert. I watch TV during this as I'd find it pretty boring otherwise.
We were out for lunch yesterday to a lovely small restaurant specialising in fish and noticed a lady on her own. She was having the works and clearly enjoying herself. Good on her. However, I don't think I'd be tempted to do that. I'm not that bothered about food.

I have most meals by myself and don’t find it a problem at all. In fact it’s a relief not having to cook for other people. I can eat what I like when I like - what could be better? The freedom is wonderful.

I’m another fan of the lap tray.

I live alone and frequently find cooking a chore. No sooner than I have racked my brains to make an evening meal that I have to do it again the next day! I like good food but would rather be doing something else.

I always cook a good meal every day and always sit at the table. I like to know what's in my food and don't trust ready meals they are also expensive. They're are OK as an emergency. Even when I lived alone I always prepared good food. It's what I've always done as did my mother and aunts etc. A stockpot of soup is always here which will be for my lunch. OH likes his as a 1st course at dinner. I just can't enjoy meals whilst sitting on the sofa. I especially like to get creative when stocks are running low and its time for a shop. Some of my best meals are from whatever is left in the fridge.

I don’t understand how cooking cannot be a chore best avoided to be honest. If I am eating alone I always set a place at the table. It would be a salad, something on toast or a ready meal Curry. (I can sense the shock, horror, here). Don’t have napkins, a piece of kitchen paper will suffice if it is something messy. Never drink with a meal, look forward to a coffee afterwards.

I have no interest in cooking or eating food at all so I just eat whatever's there - a slice of cheese, a bowl of cereal, a ready meal, a banana... I have lived alone for over 20 years and just pleased I no longer have to give my own food a thought. I will eat out (vegetarian) if I am with someone else but won't even go into a coffee shop by myself.

I too eat alone. Must be freshly cooked food as I enjoy cooking and also eating the results.
Sunday dinners are always a must and if D pops in there's more often than not enough for her too-------stops me from being too greedy. Besides it suits me to eat alone as there's nobody to pass remarks about the amount on my plate. I don't know whether to eat it or jump over it at times hahahaha.

It’s interesting toread other’s comments. I cooked for six of us when the children were at home, and often for more than this when we had visitors or hosted meals. It’s a real pleasure just to cook for myself now, and not have to take into account budget, children’s activities, and the food preferences of others ( ex husband was a very fussy eater.) I also enjoy eating alone in restaurants. Perhaps I’m just greedy!

I am new here so hopefully no one will mind me joining in.

I think, perhaps, it’s a bit different when you’re eating every meal, every day for years alone.

When my children were at home I cooked every day even if we all ate separately we used the table and mostly managed to get together once a week for dinner.
After the novelty of cooking for one and eating whatever I fancied wore off I mostly just had a snack standing in the kitchen at lunch and soup for dinner whilst reading a book.

Its very rare for me to cook just for myself.
Only when I feel I need a proper meal.
Its sandwiches and salads the rest of the time (and crisps!)

I eat alone but would never lay the table for one so it’s eat where ever I am really on a tray, on my knee, at the unlaud table
I cook but mostly quick things like stir fries or Jacket potatoes or a quick one pot curry I don’t enjoy cooking for one I ve never owned China or linen napkins so no difference there and I only buy wine on special occasions so I guess I m with your friend on this on I don’t see the point at all
I enjoy quite a few pub or cafe lunches each month with friends the rest is fine for me

Redwitch welcome to you and your first post, do join in you sound like me eat when hungry whatever, wherever any time any place

I have lived on my own for around 20 years now and I like to prepare a decent evening meal. I am no cook but I do try- cooking something so there will be sufficient for tomorrow evening and a portion or two to freeze. If I fancy a glass or three of wine, I do and I sit in my chair with the tray on my lap watching TV.

I don’t eat alone very often, but if I did I can imagine I would practically live on fish, which is versatile and quick to cook. I love it in all its forms, from an elaborate fish pie to a tin of sardines in tomato sauce!

greyduster, I like fish too. I don’t eat red meat often, but occasionally I will get a real craving for it, so I will go out and have a steak. Last night I cooked a beef and tomato pasta sauce, which I had with spaghetti, Parmesan and a nice glass of chianti. Tonight I’m having salmon with new potatoes and green beans. Oh, and a glass or two of Picpoul de Pinet. The only problem is, I will then have two opened bottles of wine! Fortunately a friend is coming for lunch tomorrow, so that should see off the Picpoul ( she doesn’t drink red wine.)

My Christmas lunch is going to be shellfish platter if I can find one which does not need a mortgage. One I saw was "only" £100 but would have fed 3.

I don't often find myself alone at meal times but if I am I don't cook a meal it would be something like pizza from the freezer or pasta with pasata and what ever is in the fridge. This would be eaten on my lap in front of the TV. I really couldn't be bothered with laying the table with napkins and good china. No critisism intended but I would never drink alcohol alone. Just my personal preference.
I'm happy to go into a cafe alone and frequently do but I wouldn't choose to eat in a restaurant alone.

I have at least one proper cooked meal every day, Chicken, Steak, Salmon Fillet, so quick and easy.
I also batch cook a couple of times a week, so there's always something in the fridge.
My Ds calls round most days after the gym and the first thing he does is look in the fridge, he knows there'll always be something in there for his lunch.
I also eat out at least one day a week with friends, oh yes, I love food.
Carvery today at the Golf Club!

I live alone so mostly eat alone, I eat whatever I fancy and sometimes that is a cooked meal and sometimes just a snack depending on how hungry I am but I really have no problem cooking a full roast dinner for me or anything else for that matter. I like food and I'd rather cook than eat ready meals or takeaways. I have family coming for Christmas lunch and they always do but if I was home alone with no one to cook for but me I would still have a Christmas dinner and the trimmings.

To me, not having to cook if I don't feel like it, is one of the great advantages of living alone. But I often do feel like it and still enjoy cooking, - as long as it's not every day!
Last evening I had a proper home cooked meal, but the evening before I just had a pot noodle.
I definitely prefer a tray on my lap in front of the tv. Setting the table is a real chore, and my dining room chairs give me backache.
I'm not madly keen on eating out alone, but will do it if I have to, as long as I can sit in a corner and not in the middle of the restaurant/pub.

I eat alone mostly now and always cook a proper evening meal and sit on the sofa with a little table and a glass of wine.
I love cooking and mostly I cook for two, eat half and freeze half, so I always have a stock of home-made ready meals in the freezer.
Yesterday I made a beef hotpot in the slow cooker to eat when I got back from the rugby, which I discovered would easily stretch to three meals! Had one last night, one tomorrow, and will freeze the last third.
Tonight I shall do a roast chicken leg with roast potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding (I make a batch of Mary Berry ones and freeze them, so easy to pop one in the oven for the last five minutes).
I never sit at the table and eat alone, it reminds me too much of DH. I don't mind eating out alone, but have been lucky enough to have had three meals out with family in the last two weeks!

I eat all my meals at home alone. I don't enjoy cooking so set aside a day when I batch cook - casseroles, chilli, pasta sauce etc. - and freeze down in individual portions. All I have to do then is cook vegetables, rice or whatever.

You're all quite organised, it seems.
My own eating patterns are quite chaotic, I've only just realised!