It takes some practice to adapt kitchen solutions for arthritis pain. I am cooking more nutritious food, but my arthritis pain makes it painful to stand for very long. Making good food can also mean a big sink of dishes to wash.
Diet plays a big role in controlling arthritis pain, but you don’t have to give up all your favorite foods. You can make healthier versions that may be just as tasty. Let family members help with the cooking or setting the table.
Adaptive Kitchen Solutions for Arthritis Pain
Make a Weekly Meal Plan
Plan out your meals for the day or week and stick to them. Cook high-fiber foods such as beans and whole grains. You’ll not only save money but also keep an eye on portion size.
Bean burritos are high-fiber, and with whole wheat tortillas, they’re even more nutritious.
Have Breakfast for Dinner
Eggs are cheap, and you can do so many things with them. Try scrambled eggs with ham for your favorite omelet. Who doesn’t love a homemade Egg McMuffin with sausage and a sprinkling of cheese? I could eat quiche every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Add bits of leftovers to the quiche, such as spinach or bacon.
Prepping food and standing for long periods can leave you in a world of hurt. Sit on a chair to do all the chopping and prep work. Work at your kitchen table, or if you have stools under the counter, sit there. If you are standing, use an anti-fatigue kitchen mat.
Invest in a small crockpot or pressure cooker. Put all your ingredients in one pot, and it is easy to serve and clean up.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Use pots and pans that have two handles, which allow you to distribute the weight more evenly into both hands. Tramontina cookware offers a helper handle, which can help with moving, serving, and clean-up.”
Make 100-Calorie Packs
Have you ever seen 100-calorie packs of cookies or crackers at the store? This is my favorite aisle in the store. I circle around to see all the options and usually give a thumbs down to crackers. Cookies are my jam, and I try to use the smaller size for better portion control.
However, you can make more nutritious cookies at home and still keep an eye on portion control. Oatmeal raisin is one of my favorites and one of the healthier versions.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, make a batch of black bean brownies.
If you like nuts, and who doesn’t, pack your own trail mix. This gives you a perfect combination of sweet and salty, and for the sweet part, you can mix in a few chocolate raisins, yogurt pretzels, or your favorite candy pieces.
Cook Food for the Freezer
This is where you can get creative by trying new recipes or sticking to old favorites. Buy chicken in bulk and use it for two or three made-ahead meals. Chicken enchiladas, chicken and rice, roast chicken, or chicken pot pie are just some of the many entrees you can make.
You can do the same with ground beef. Freeze these meals ahead of time. You’ve saved money, and now dinner is a lot easier to get on the table. Use Zip-Lok bags or covered dishes such as Tupperware for storage.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have found these adaptive kitchen solutions tips helpful, and that your arthritis pain improves. Take a night out of the kitchen and go out to eat. You may find that you like your own cooking the best. Do some research on the best ways to cook and prep healthy meals.
