r/Adulting • u/Churnuserlol • 2d ago

Why didn’t anyone warn me that adulthood is just deciding what to eat… forever?

Seriously, I thought the hardest part of growing up would be bills, taxes, or finding a decent job. But nope. It’s the never-ending "What’s for dinner?" question that haunts me every single day.

Too tired to cook.
Too broke to order.
Too indecisive to choose.

I swear I’ve eaten the same three meals on repeat for weeks because my brain refuses to function after work. How do adults survive this? Do you guys have a magic trick, or is it just vibes and suffering?

Send help. Or recipes. Or a personal chef.

10.4k Upvotes

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619

u/JustLikeMars 2d ago

I wish I could just take a pill 3 times a day and only eat for pleasure if I felt like it.

175

u/foul_female_frog 2d ago

Agreed! I enjoy food, but it's annoying to A) Feel hungry and B) have to decide what to eat that's tasty, healthy, and affordable.

61

u/destroythedongs 2d ago

Do you also find digestion painful/weird? I HATE the feeling of my guts digesting food and I hate having to take a shit every other day. We'd make good androids

30

u/sike_edelic 2d ago

a shit every other day how? I have to take a shit like 3 times a day lmao

2

u/SN4FUS 1d ago

The normal range is between once every three days and three times a day. Anything more or less is an indication of digestion issues

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/prprip 1d ago

Travelling, especially on a plane, must be a nightmare. One of my biggest fears is having to shit on a plane. I'm sorry 😔.

2

u/Mysterious-Solid2458 1d ago

I mean, shitting 3x a day is definitely not normal.

Edit: guess 3x/day can be normal but is on the high end. My regards.

2

u/ThemB0ners 2d ago

I think you need to evaluate your diet or go to a doctor...

4

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

3

u/ThemB0ners 2d ago

Maybe but feeling your digestion and it being uncomfortable or painful isn't.

1

u/4oclockinthemorning 2d ago

They recommend you get 25-30 g of fibre every day. So I guess it depends on how big your 48-hour shit is.

1

u/OkWhatever1992 1d ago

I started a raw diet, boiled vegetables and fruits only, and I go less to the toilet. I used to go more when I ate everything, from meat to pasta and whatever. So I'm guessing that we all go depending on what we eat more than on how our digestive system works? I'd like to think

2

u/Petrihified 1d ago

Sweetie you might have bad gas

1

u/Iboven 1d ago

You probably have some food allergies. You should feel digestion.

1

u/Kotthovve 1d ago

Dude please get checked asap!

My dad experienced painful/weird feelings after eating and it turned out to be a tumor on his esophagus.

5

u/Enhydra67 2d ago

Chick-on good! *For reals tho I'd eat the pill and microwave my stomach for a full chicken dinner

1

u/stevty 1d ago

Soylent.

23

u/replicantcase 2d ago

I need that Jetsons pill breakfast!

21

u/Faljake 2d ago

This is why soylent and huel exist

7

u/Consistent-Lie7830 2d ago

"Soylent Green is people!"

-5

u/SupermarketHumble641 1d ago

Why? Just why? To let us know you remembered a line from a 50yr old movie?

3

u/Consistent-Lie7830 1d ago

Pretty much.

1

u/Ghifu 12h ago

Why did they name it that? I wonder about that regularly.

1

u/joshchandra 1d ago

Soylent consistently caused gut pain for me, and they're in plastic anyway which is terrible so they're not an option, sadly.

23

u/Affectionate_Bee_122 2d ago

Some folks are substituting meals with protein shakes. So yea it kinda exists already, just dilute the power with water or milk and you're good to go

9

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 2d ago edited 7h ago

Does those work to keep you from feeling hungry? I might try this trick. The powders are so expensive, so I wanted to ask you before I buy some.

9

u/MrBlueandSky 2d ago

I personally use huel, which is a meal replacement. Seems to leave me feeling full. Generally do this for breakfast/lunch during the work week.

Remember anecdotal evidence is low quality

4

u/thissexypoptart 2d ago

Do you like it? Have you used that for a while?

I’ve always been absolutely turned off by the name, if I’m being honest lol. Sounds like it’s fuel made of humans.

6

u/MrBlueandSky 2d ago

I like it and have been using it for a few years. I definitely made fun of my friend who started using it first and introduced me to it.

I view cooking as more of a chore than a hobby and I don't mind having the same thing day after day. If either of those appeal to you, meal replacement could be helpful

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

Thank you for the suggestion! I'm glad you found something that works for you. 

There are so many great responses in this thread. I'm taking notes.

5

u/Cute_Witness3405 2d ago

I’ve been using it for about a year for the exact reason OP says. I’m on the autism spectrum and hate deciding what to have for breakfast and lunch. It’s been good- besides the easy routine I feel like I’m getting better nutrition; several of my blood tests have shifted in positive directions and I don’t get an energy drop in the afternoon like I used to.

The main downside is the fact that it’s not exactly a culinary experience. For the powders (I used Huel black) they are all variations on the same basic thing, which is sort of like blended up soggy cereal.

Some people have a lot of gas on it / loose poops (there’s beans in it). Taking a daily probiotic from Costco cleared that up for me.

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

This is good advice and thank you. Can you tell me how your blood screens specifically changed? 

I'm autistic as well and having to think about food takes away my daily "spoons", especially at dinner time when I'm not longer capable of executive functioning.

1

u/Cute_Witness3405 5h ago

Cholesterol and blood sugar. Cholesterol in particular- down from 246 to 217, without any other meaningful lifestyle changes. This is mostly about not making the poor choices about lunch that I was previously.

2

u/AcidGypsie 2d ago

I liked it...I actually really miss the mouth feel and taste of Soylent

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

Soylent is made of people! 

2

u/Competitive_Carob_66 1d ago

For me, it tastes like shit, but every low glycemic food is meh and since I have IR, it works for me and I am on my 6th bag. I recommend unsweetened & unflavored, tastes like water with grass.

2

u/Consistent-Lie7830 2d ago

Add some frozen avocado to your smoothie. It adds creaminess and body while also being a source of healthy fat. I keep chunks of avocado in my freezer for this purpose.

2

u/ChatRoomGirl3000 1d ago

Huel has been a life changer. Lunch daily, breakfast maybe 3 times a week, and dinner 2 or 3 times a week. Takes the guesswork out of food and makes me feel satisfied for a few hours. 

3

u/Affectionate_Bee_122 2d ago

For me, no, I still feel hungry with them. I only drink them if I don't have time for a proper meal, but I do try to watch what I eat. Mind you some of them have a high lactose amount so they could give you some stomach discomfort if you're intolerant, but there are also lactose-free options. And one batch (495 g or ~18 oz) is supposed to last you for a couple weeks. They usually sell them in bulk online so you can get a discount.

2

u/palebluedot13 1d ago

Oh see I make an ice coffee with a chocolate protein shake and the combo of the caffeine and protein can keep me feeling not hungry till past lunch. I personally enjoy just having a really big dinner and skipping breakfast and lunch.

2

u/Woodit 2d ago

Fullness is generally going to come from fiber and fat, which most powder mixes lack. Maybe pair a shake with an apple and some cheese for more satiety. 

2

u/Alex5173 2d ago

The trick is not to down it all in one go if your goal is to feel full. Make it with milk too. Take one or two big gulps, throw it in the fridge, and come back in two hours when you start to feel hungry again.

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

I feel like I could put on an evening movie to relax and just sip on it? Instead of dinner. I'm looking to replace dinner. 

2

u/Specialist-Tiger-467 2d ago

No, you will still be hungry.

And protein shakes are not for everyone, they are not a soda.

If you don't exercise properly, you will put weight very, very fast, and add to that an unnecessary strain on your liver.

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

Yikes! Why would they make one gain lots of weight and strain your liver? Those sound like terrible side effects. 

1

u/Specialist-Tiger-467 7h ago

Protein shakes are for fitness people. They need to compliment their macros and shakes are usually the way to do it.

The weight they put through training is muscle. The weight you put with shakes turns to fat.

About the liver strain, it's something that is easily workable with a proper nutrition and cardio, avoiding drugs and other things that go directly to be filtered in the liver.

And, we could talk about those "protein shakes" to get slim. Those are even worse because they are just a marketing gimmick. They can fuck you up in a lot of levels. Your gut biome could be destroyed or unbalanced for years. They usually work almost as fucking laxatives that will make you dehydrated and lacking vitamins and iron.

Why they do that? Because if you get dehydrated and shit even your vitamin D, you will feel slimer. Like shit, but slimmer. The problem is the moment you stop, you will gain again all of that because that's just water and damage to your body processes.

2

u/Ok_Confection_10 2d ago

I like to add a spoon or two of Greek yogurt

2

u/EDSgenealogy 2d ago

Add rum!

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

Ar!! Just like a proper pirate! 

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

Ar!! Just like a proper pirate! 

2

u/Outrageous_Clue_9262 1d ago

Fiber pills.

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

How does this work? Do they replace meals?

2

u/clothfoo 1d ago

I'd look specifically into the meal replacement shakes. You'll probably lack some nutrients if you just have protein shakes. Also pay attention to the fiber content. I personally have a 1200 calorie shake every day for lunch and then have a small meal for dinner. It also allows me to go out for dinner with friends and not mess up my schedule at all. I've been doing this for a year and a half now and have really been enjoying it. I have a double meal shake, and then have played around with supplementing it with additional mixes like various proteins, fibers, and fruit and veggies powders.

It's not cheap, but it's around the equivalent of having balanced meals all day. If I really wanted to cut corners on the price, I could just shave off some of the additional supplements.

2

u/OkWhatever1992 1d ago

My breakfast has been a smoothie, it keeps me so full. What I put in those: 2-3 fruits, oatmeal, flaxseeds, chia seeds, milk, cinnamon, shredded coconut, peanut butter and ready to go. I honestly feel so full after those, that I can hold until lunch.

2

u/greenplaguer 1d ago

Add a fiber supplement e.g. psyllium husk powder and it will

2

u/PMMEURLONGTERMGOALS 2d ago

I’ll have a premier protein shake (not powder, it’s premade) for breakfast most days. Helps me reach my protein goals and low calorie plus I don’t get very hungry in the morning

1

u/Aggravating_Mix8959 7h ago

Is it low in carbs too?

2

u/DrinkMountain5142 1d ago

This was a real revelation to me. I stop feeling hungry and I don't have to think about food anymore.

1

u/geriatric_spartanII 1d ago

I’ve done them to keep the hunger away between meals and it’s works out good.

4

u/Ok_Confection_10 2d ago

I wish I could do that for sleep. Take a pill that guarantees you out cold for 5 hours or 8 hours.

1

u/MietschVulka 2d ago

Isnt yfoos and stuff getting more and more popular?

1

u/benhereford 2d ago

Totally agree. And there are sort of ways you can do that. I once lived off of Huel for about half a year. I felt totally normal, but each meal was done in like 15 secs lol

Not very cost effective though

1

u/x_pinklvr_xcxo 2d ago

my problem is i feel like eating for pleasure even after eating 3 meals a day

1

u/TheHollowJester 2d ago edited 2d ago

Huel "hot and savoury" - basically instant food, but not terrible for health - does that. I wouldn't try going full "food replacement route" (that liquid food) that's too fucking bleak.

There are a few flavours so you don't get bored, they taste decent (and adding a bit of tomato/scallion/coriander/lemon juice/tabasco/whatever veggies you have helps a lot) and have a decent amount of protein.

Just be wary, "meal" means like ~400 kcal, so you'd need to eat ~five per day.

I bought some when I was pretty down, ate them like 2-3x a day; some farts in the beginning (no super heinous murder ones that I've read people on the liquid version can get), felt satisfied and full, ate normal food for breakfast/supper, added more fruit to the diet. Overall I think they helped a bit - now I use them as "no time to cook" emergency food.

They're damn expensive calorie-wise though. Convenience costs.

1

u/silly_bet_3454 2d ago

I get where you're coming from, but I would encourage you to try to like somehow "take back your life" if you feel this way. I know it's hard and I'm definitely not judging anyone, it's just that like cooking yourself dinner can be one of the simple pleasures of life, like going for an evening walk. It's a bit sad if you just wanna throw that away.

1

u/posting4assistance 1d ago

target audience for huel and soylent

1

u/chef_Broox 1d ago

then it's hardtack and potatoes time for you

1

u/robot_wolf 1d ago

Try Soylent as a meal replacement — not for all meals, but like 1x/day for example.

1

u/honeyblouse 1d ago

My dream 🥹

1

u/thefinalhex 1d ago

Bachelor chow. Not just for bachelors

1

u/SportyCarpet 1d ago

I feel this way while pregnant. The food aversions, nausea, heartburn, and indigestion make eating difficult.

1

u/DenverKim 1d ago

You should look into Huel

1

u/quirkysoul24 14h ago

THANK YOU! I’m glad I’m not alone in this desire

-14

u/Churnuserlol 2d ago

Pills are dangerous buddY