Today I was processing in Heidel and notice a shai near me ate one of the meals they meant to process.  When this happened to me, I decided I needed to either hotkey or put processing somewhere I would not eat up my profits.  Simply place the icon in your Esc Menu, after you sell, hit Esc key three times.  This method will avoid the inventory menu and take you where you don't use the item in the wrong way.

Remember "haste makes waste".

Have fun!