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Daily Living

Arthritis-Friendly Home: Meals Made Easy

Preparing a healthy dinner after a long day is almost impossible when you are dealing with fatigue from arthritis. Instead of trying to cook every night of the week, use the downtime on the weekend to prepare multiple meals at once. When it's time to eat, all you have to do is reheat!

Here are some simple ways to help you prepare multiple meals at once:

1. Preparation

Before you begin cooking, organize your workspace and make sure you have all the items and ingredients you will need close by. Not only is this convenient, it will also help to ease your movements as you cook. As part of your preparation, have a stool or high-top chair close by so that you can take frequent breaks.

2. One pot or pan

Making your meal in one pot or pan will reduce the number of dishes you have to wash, which can become tiring. When selecting your cookware, look for ones that are lightweight. Instead of cast iron, try aluminum or carbon steel. It’s also a good idea to look for cookware with two large handles to help distribute the weight more evenly between your hands and wrists. Ones that can be placed in the dishwasher are an added bonus.

3. Pre-cut fruit and vegetables

Today, there are plenty of options when it comes to fresh and frozen pre-cut fruits and vegetables. Removing the steps of washing, peeling, and chopping can help you save your energy.

4. Helpful kitchen gadgets

There are many kitchen gadgets on the market today that are specifically designed for people living with arthritis. If you find you’re opening a lot of cans, think about investing in a one touch can opener where no hand strength or strenuous twisting is required.

5. Lightweight storage containers

Batch preparing food and then storing it in individual storage containers is the perfect way to help you save energy and eat healthy. By preparing meals only once, you’ll prevent any unnecessary overexertion.

With so many delicious and healthy one-pot recipes available today, there are endless possibilities when it comes to preparing meals for the week ahead.