The Book Nerd Diet

You’re in the middle of what’s shaping up to be a truly excellent book. You’ve been reading for the past hour and a half, and the odds of you parting with your new beloved before you reach that bittersweet conclusion rival the odds of Mr. Darcy smiling at a public ball. But then you hear it: your stomach, rumbling, reminding you that you haven’t actually eaten since that breakfast muffin eight hours ago. You’re faced with a choice—mental sustenance, or physical? Welcome to the Book Nerd Diet, essential foods you can prep and eat without turning away from the page.
Breakfast Option #1: Waffles
I get it. You want to get in a chapter or two to put your mind in a happy place before you’re faced with your morning commute. The waffle is your new best friend. Why? It’s easy to make, and more forgiving than the pancake. With a waffle maker, you don’t have to remember to flip.
What to do: Buy a waffle iron—they’re cheap, and everywhere. Preheat and grease it. Then, mix together 1 cup of flour (multigrain, gluten-free, whatever), 1 egg, 1 cup of milk, and a spoonful of sugar. Maybe some blueberries if you’re feeling ambitious. Pour the mix into that waffle iron, read ’til it beeps at you, and consume!
Recommended book pairing: Landline, by Rainbow Rowell
Breakfast Option #2: Oatmeal
Fine, you’re not feeling waffles. Oatmeal, however, is a book nerd essential, especially during these long winter months that just never end. The best part? You can make it as fancy or as plain as you want.
What to do: Grab yourself a box of rolled oats at your local grocery store. Make according to the directions on the label (this usually means boiling water, adding oats, reading, reading, reading while it simmers, and eating), but here’s the trick: make it in BULK. Refrigerate the excess, and microwave it for the rest of the week so you can mindlessly shovel fiber-y goodness into your mouth while you turn the pages.
Recommended book pairing: Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson
Lunch: Mac & Cheese
Lunch is a silly meal, and it’s bad for reading because you’re usually not at home and are therefore being bothered by even sillier people who don’t understand you NEED this half hour of reading to maintain your sanity. So make it easy on yourself—accept the inevitability of macaroni and cheese.
What to do: Personally, I opt for those little tubs of just-add-water easy mac, but for the sake of being an adult I will suggest this (to be done at home, ahead of time, most likely): make, in bulk, your favorite mac and cheese recipe. If you don’t have one, here’s mine. Luckily, you can read while the water boils and while it’s in the oven. Store in meal-sized containers and carry on reading.
Recommended book pairing: The Secret History, by Donna Tartt
Dinner Option #1: Stew
If you haven’t become familiar with your slow-cooker yet, now is the time to skip all those awkward introductions and fast-forward to an intimate dinner at home. Trust me, having an appliance that does all the work while you sit back with a well-worn paperback is all that heaven should be.
What to do: You can find all sorts of recipes for whatever stew you want, but the idea is always the same. Mix broth (chicken, veggie, beef, whatever) with something hearty (meat, beans, lentils, potatoes, pasta, any or all will do). Let it cook for a while on high. Add some tender veggies of your choice and simmer some more. Stir occasionally, read constantly.
Recommended book pairing: Transatlantic by Colum McCann
Dinner Option #2: Easy Italian Chicken
You want all the flavor of a hard-working Italian meal, but none of the distractions from your mind-palace. No problem. This meal is forgiving on the cook time and easy to spruce up if necessary.
What to do: Grab a large saucepan. Pour in a jar of pasta sauce and add some chicken tenderloins. Cook on medium-ish heat until the chicken looks mostly done (i.e., not raw in the middle), flipping the chicken every other page or so. Boil some pasta in another pot, top your chicken with a nice mozzarella or tuscano cheese, and serve!
Recommended book pairing: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters
What do you eat when you’re stuck in a book?