Balancing healthy eating with enjoyable eating

I've never tried any of the meal delivery services partly because I don't need them, but even if I did, I doubt if they'd cope with my dietry requirements.

Pixiefox said:

I also enjoy fish & chips made in our own oven from frozen fish in batter & oven fries, which we have with baked beans

I get those pots of fruit in juice, but don't have them  everyday.

Pixiefox said:

I also enjoy fish & chips made in our own oven from frozen fish in batter & oven fries, which we have with baked beans

I do that too. I  buy the  x4 Heinz snap pots, when available.

TheCatWoman said:

What about those frozen meal delivery services?

I have an account with Wiltshire farm foods , and have tried Parsley box via an offer my daughter came across at her work(branch manager of a home care company) Parsley  box uses a method that allows you to store the meals in your food cupboard for up to 6 months. Most have alcohol in them. I'm not at all knowledgeable   about the preserving of food. Alcohol helps that process? Unfortunately the quality of their meals isn't great IMO. Also they tend to have less veg in them than the Wiltshire farm food meals.

I currently have a full freezer as my daughter came round this morning with meals she's prepared me.

I'm only a few years younger than you, and my tastes in food have changed recently and I no longer enjoy certain foods such as boiled vegetables or salad. I can cook, but after decades of cooking it's become a bit boring. And I also don't want to live to a very old age eating food I don't enjoy.

There is a lot of hype over what is "healthy eating", propagated by the food industry to make them more profit. Our bodies just need a balanced diet of protein, fats and carbohydrates and not too much sugar. 

As I'm not a great fan of fruit & veg, I try to incorporate it in a way I enjoy. I like Sainsbury's crispy based vegetable pizza which is topped with red onion, red & yellow peppers and courgette, and to balance the meal I add a side dish of baked beans to add protein. Instead of boiled veg with roast chicken breasts I now buy frozen roast parsnips which you just stick in the oven. Instead of fresh fruit which is often hard and unripe when you buy it and then goes off quick, I get the little pots of peach pieces in juice. 

Cost is also a factor, so instead of takeaways we have what is now called "fakeaways". Iceland do a great "takeaway" meal selection including chow mein and Korma curry, which you just reheat in the oven. You can add your own easily prepared side dishes such as microwave rice/ naan bread/oven chips. I also enjoy fish & chips made in our own oven from frozen fish in batter & oven fries, which we have with baked beans. 

Iceland is very good for easy meals, and over 60s get 10% off on Tuesdays if you have one of their store cards and ID. 

What about those frozen meal delivery services? They will deliver a months worth of meals that can go straight into your freezer and taken out and microwaved, I think there are diferent meal options, but they're aimed at the elderly and those who have problems cooking. As to whether you'd like them or not is a different matter entirely and one down to personal taste.

I'm lucky in that I love cooking and am quite adventurous within my limitations.

I agree with TheCatWoman. But just a quick reminder: healthy doesn’t have to be all veggies and proteins. It’s about a balanced meal. You could try wraps or something in that direction. It’s a bit difficult sensory wise but a bit of salad (not too much if you’re struggling with your digestion), some veggies (I like cucumber and bell pepper a lot), something like chicken or a vegan alternative (pea protein “meat” is quite good) and some tasty sauce (I like to mix a bit of yoghurt with some herbs and lemon juice, but you can use whatever) wrapped up in a tortilla or something like that is always a safe choice for me. It’s also easily made without much cooking and the ingredients can vary based on what you have in the house as long as there are some wraps. 
That’s just one idea but maybe you can already see: most people think of just having salad or plain boiled chicken with rice and broccoli is healthy. But there is no such thing as “inherently bad food” and “inherently good food”. It’s about balancing those out.

Pasta dishes can also be a good start. There are many pasta dishes that include vegetables with many vitamins, micronutrients and minerals aa well as other important nutrients.

I think diet and healthy foods is a minefield and everyone you ask will have different ideas, I have problems with allergies and intollerances which limits what I can eat, then theres things I just don't like, such as memebers of the turnip family, khol rabi and celeriac fell from the devils backside as far as I'm concerned. But because I have allergies and intollerances people seem to think I shouldn't have foods I don't like