Depression is something that affects an outstanding number of people, but the symptoms of depression vary from person to person. One of the widest spread effects of it, however, is the infamous eating curve that comes with all types of mental illnesses.
Whether it is stress eating an entire pack of Oreos without realizing it, or going a whole two days with your only meal being sleep, we all have had some crazy eating patterns that come out of the times of low mental health. At least there is one thing somewhat good that comes out of all of these horrible depression meals: We go through them together.
1. Ramen
Are you sure if it's fully cooked? No, you aren't, but do you really care? Also no. Ramen is a staple of depression meal culture though, seeing as it meets in the intersections of cheap food and easy to cook food. When the rest of the world drains you, ramen is always there for you.
2. Cold oatmeal
It might not have been cold if you hadn't left it on the counter for half an hour after cooking it, but that doesn't mean you aren't going to eat the cement-like oats that vaguely taste like apple cinnamon. Just like ramen, oatmeal is easy to cook and tasteless to the point of being the perfect meal for when you don't want to eat.
3. Children's meals
Lunchables, Easy-Mac, peanut butter and jelly, or even just apple slices. Children's meals are easy and nostalgic for the soul, so when it comes to fighting depression, sometimes these easy meals are the best.
4. Two bites of a full meal
Sometimes the energy to cook a meal, especially for an introvert, can be all the energy you had for the day. So by the time it comes to eat the meal, all of the energy is gone. A bite or two is all you can take before feeling full. At least you have leftovers for tomorrow.
5. Takeout from the back of the fridge
Chinese takeout has no expiration date, really. Neither do Chipotle bowls that have been pressed behind a jar of jelly for God knows how long. Even though you really can't tell what kind of takeout is in the container, that really doesn't matter. It's gonna be your next three meals.
6. The entire can of Pringles
They were there and you were hungry, what more is to say about it?
7. The third cup of coffee
Most likely from Starbucks, most likely overpriced, and most definitely not a full meal. However, it definitely is a depression meal staple.
8. "Did I eat today?"
Most likely no, but that doesn't stop you from having your meal solely be laying in bed and wondering when you are going to eat until you fall asleep.
9. Another episode of "The Office"
The greatest depression meal is no meal at all.