There is more than enough going on in the world to make you a nervous wreck. There are meals to make, shuttling kids to school, commuting to your job, and dealing with some wild and crazy people along the way.
I read too much online news. Of course, the news contains stories of crime, war, famine, and the present administration in Washington leaves a lot to be desired.
I feel myself reaching for more candy than I need and eating more comfort foods. The scale has not been kind these past few weeks.
It’s tempting to take shortcuts and hit the drive-thru instead of preparing nutritious meals and snacks. I think some treats can be worked into a healthy diet, but being stressed out isn’t an excuse to stop eating healthy foods.
You don’t want to send your arthritis pain into overdrive, and many foods will do that:
- Sweets
- Fatty Foods
- Dairy
- Carbohydrates
Junk food may calm your nerves temporarily, but it also plays havoc with your waistline.
Follow These Tips:
Don’t Forget Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if you get up late, it’s tempting just to have coffee at home or make a Starbucks™ run for a latte. One of my favorite shortcuts for breakfast is breakfast burritos. I cook my eggs, sausage, and hash browns and put them into a bowl. Add cheese as desired and stir. When it is time to eat, I put the ingredients into a tortilla and bake it at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
My husband Mark likes his burritos to be made fresh, but to save time, you could make up a batch and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Swap bacon for sausage or just make an egg and cheese version. There are so many different kinds of tortillas. Buy spinach for extra nutrition, or small tortillas if youare trying to control your portions.
Prepare Snacks Ahead of Time
Getting snacks ready doesn’t need to be difficult – you can make life much easier for yourself (and the family) by preparing a variety of healthy snacks for the upcoming week. It doesn’t take much effort to prepare snacks like almond butter and sliced apples, air-popped popcorn, almonds, a fruit parfait, or hummus with broccoli or carrots.
When I used to order the kids’ meal at one of our favorite restaurants, frozen grapes were a popular choice. Buy seedless grapes so you can wash and put them right into the freezer. Bananas are another favorite frozen fruit. Use Popsicle sticks for easier eating. My dessert-loving mind would dip them in chocolate for a healthier dessert.
Pre-Chop Vegetables
Let’s face it, chopping vegetables is not one of the items on my bucket list. If you don’t mind spending a little more, you can buy vegetables pre-sliced or chopped. Now that I have lost a lot of strength in my hands, I am willing to pay more for vegetables that are ready to go. If you are making a stew or soup, use pre-chopped or sliced veggies that can be added to the crockpot for an easy-to-prepare dinner.
Pair Carbs and Protein
When you are in a hurry, grab a boiled egg and a piece of cheese. I am a big fan of string cheese, and I like boiled eggs. You can find boiled eggs at the supermarket, but I prefer to cook my own.
You need more substantial protein and carb combinations for dinner. Stir fry with rice and seafood or tofu fills you up and it’s delicious.
If you like steak, and who doesn’t, pair your favorite steak with a baked yam. If you prefer sandwiches, use whole wheat bread and fill it with lean deli meat such as ham or turkey.
I find that when I eat more protein, I have less arthritis pain and more energy.
Make Healthy Treats
One of my favorite treats is homemade cookies, and these healthy oatmeal cookies hit the spot. Half of the butter is replaced with applesauce, but the cookies are still moist and delicious. Who doesn’t love a delicious chocolate brownie? This recipe uses dates as a sweetener, and nutritious almond flour and flaxseed meal.
Strawberry oatmeal bars are made with fresh strawberries, whole grain butter crumb topping, and a lightly sweetened vanilla glaze. The coolest part is that they are only 100 calories per bar.
Summary
Learn how to make nutritious meals and snacks, so you won’t have to calm your nerves with junk food. Buy a cookbook or two, and explore all the delicious options for healthy foods. You can feel good knowing that you’re improving your health and reducing arthritis pain.
