Time to talk about diets again. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard the word “diet,” I would be a rich woman. I have also gone on my fair share of diets, and some were successful and others were a big bust.
There is certainly a lot of buzz about the Paleo diet. How does the Paleo diet work? The Paleo diet typically includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds — foods that could be obtained in the past through hunting and gathering. In other words, eliminate junk food from your diet.
I am always looking for new ways to reduce my arthritis-related inflammation, and luckily, I like many foods on the Paleo Diet. While this diet sounds healthy, it can require more meal prep time than you may be spending now:
Create Easy Meals to Start
When you are working on meal planning and prepping while on the paleo diet, it helps to first start with easy meals. You don’t want to create a meal prep schedule that requires you to sear filet mignon or make overly complicated dishes. Meal prepping is meant to make life easier for you, providing convenience and saving you a lot of time throughout the week.
I am a big fan of leftovers, and it helps me get a meal on the table when my hand arthritis is flaring.
Batch Cook Eggs
Think of foods you enjoy that can be made in large batches. For example, if you enjoy eggs for breakfast, fill up your muffin tins with eggs and vegetables, and bake. Once they have cooled for a while, transfer them to freezer bags. Now, you can pop one out for a quick breakfast or take it to work for lunch.
Boil some eggs to add to make a yummy egg salad, or eat as-is for breakfast or lunch. Buy eggs in bulk to save money. Eggs are a good source of protein, B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Bake or Roast Chicken
Chicken is an excellent meat to make when on the Paleo diet since it is inexpensive, low in fat, and there are tons of meals you can make with it. To make meal prep easy with chicken, you can get a whole chicken and either roast it or bake it.
Buy chicken thighs for more flavor, and bake them in the oven. If you prefer, you can make a chicken pot roast in the Instant Pot. Add in a potato, carrots, celery, etc., and you have dinner all made, with leftovers that keep getting better.
One shortcut is to buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store.
Make a Pot of Chili or Soup
A chili is a perfect option when the weather is cold, and it is too nasty to be outside. If you are busy elsewhere in the house, use the slow cooker. Have a few friends over to watch the big games on TV. Freeze the leftovers for another time.
Roast Vegetables
For veggies, one of the easiest ways to prep them is to chop them all, then roast them in the oven. Most veggies roast perfectly in a 400-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how crisp you want them. You can roast them plain or with some olive oil and garlic.
Add them to casseroles or serve them as a side dish. It’s nice to have this shortcut for busy days.
Serve Sweet Potatoes
While regular white potatoes are not typically allowed on the paleo diet, you can definitely have sweet potatoes. There are many ways to use them in your meals, including making faux mashed potatoes, roasting them for salads and side dishes, making sweet potato fries, and more.
Summary
The Paleo diet is based on healthy foods, and you can have fun experimenting with different work lunch combinations, serving breakfast for dinner, or trying out a new recipe for the family. See which foods help your arthritis pain, and find different ways to serve them.
