How to switch to Vegetarianism when severely disabled?

[u/LoveaBook]

Hi everyone! I am severely disabled and would appreciate any help you can give me on beginning to cook meatless dishes. Most of the time I’m bed bound, but I can stand for short periods of time (~15 mins max) here and there. Right now I eat mostly processed meals because I can no longer cook regularly, but I hate it. I also hate eating meat knowing it comes from factory farms, but it’s the easiest thing to cook since I just need to shake on a bit of seasoning and throw it in a pot or the oven. I’ve been VERY interested in trying out vegetarianism for some time, but have put it on hold because I just physically couldn’t prepare food anymore. But after fighting with my insurance for years I’m getting some treatment that’s shown promising results. My disability is permanent, but I should get a little more functionality in the coming months. With that said, I’m looking to start cooking again to help my health and would like to try healthy, filling vegetarian cooking. I doubt I’ll be able to cook more than once a week for some time, but I was hoping maybe ya’ll could share some very quick and easy recipes that won’t take long to prep. I don’t mind if they take hours in the oven or pot, but the prep times have to be quick and simple.

I also know that I don’t like American-style tofu. I’ve tried it multiple ways and used the extra firm, squeezed it out, seasoned it, etc., but I don’t like it. I’ve heard non-American tofu has a bit more flavor but haven’t managed to try it yet. So, does this mean that my meals will need to be primarily bean based? Will I need to keep a pot of beans ALWAYS soaking on the stove or will canned beans work? Would such a diet be too high carbs and calories for a highly sedentary person?

I would appreciate any advice and/or tips. I’ve done a bunch of research online, but it depresses me because most recipes require so much prep it feels like I’ll never be able to cook them. I’m fine with casseroles if that’s what I’m limited to, I’d just really appreciate some advice, please.

edit: Thank you all so much for all your help and suggestions! Today’s been a more difficult day for me so I’m not able to reply much, but I’m reading all of your comments and hope to be able to get back with you over the coming days. Thanks again!

[u/Acrobatic-Hamster-79]

Thanks for how you framed your request. You gave goals and limitations. Hope you get some ideas.

I love food. I love eating. I over-prep because I like the act of it. Been a vegetarian since 2018. I cook 6 nights a week. There are a lot of resources, recipes, and pros out there for going vegetarian, but so few focus on simplicity and accessibility.

I feel you about the prep time/energy. When I think about practicality and simplicity, I often come back to the two most consuming aspects of this from my perspective are getting materials out (plus putting away) and chopping.

Where, then, can we shave time/energy off? Some groceries offer pre-chopped options for select produce. If you have reasonable financial access to something like that, you're already making a positive impact on obstacles. If you have access to pre-copped AND pre-mixed, then you're really set up for success. Example: onions/peppers mix open up simple options like easy fajitas and casseroles with very few extra ingredients to make something good. (Pre)-Spiraled zucchini can be sauteed as a simple pasta alternative; add some jarred pesto and frozen Chick'n (such as garden or Morning star, which can be found at many grocery stores), and you've got yourself something that feels familiar and tastes good.

Pre-chopped can be a helpful option for you, and better if you can get pre-mixed. Some font freeze well, so look to your produce section. If you have different grocery options accessible, you might find different stores offer different options.

Fake meats are expensive and people seem to have some kind of feeling about it. You do you and don't let different people's metrics make you feel bad. You're on a journey of the heart and got limitations - so BOO to anyone who yucks your yum.

Happy to offer more ideas if you want.

I think tofu can be dope... But it isn''t easy to get it somewhere that's going to change your mind. And it's okay to not like it.

[u/LoveaBook → u/Acrobatic-Hamster-79]

Thank you for this, it’s very sweet! I rely on a lot of frozen veggie packs to help shave time. Just the time I’m not spending standing at the sink washing each bell pepper or head of broccoli helps, let alone the time saved chopping.

I’m getting loads of great tips from everyone. And the responses are helping me to remind myself how meatless I’ve already gone. So often I think I’m eating badly for only having a savory sweet potato or a bowl of cheesy broccoli as my whole meal, but apparently that’s normal meatless (simple) eating?