Meal Preparation

Buy precut foods

Eliminate the need to cut fruits, chop vegetables or slice meats by buying them precut. If you don’t find the fruits or vegetables or you like precut, ask in the produce section or deli or look for frozen chopped vegetables, including minced onion in the frozen food cases. Just use what you need and keep the rest frozen.

Prepare foods when you have the energy.

The worst time to have to cook is after a long day or when pain is flaring. Pick a day when pain is at a minimum and your energy level is high to prepare several days worth of meals, wrap them individually and put them in the freezer. Just remove from the freezer and microwave when you need a quick meal.

Use lightweight dishes

Hauling heavy pots and pans and stoneware dishes can exacerbate pain and be a drain on your energy. Consider buying lightweight cookware and lightweight dishes or cook in disposable aluminum pans and serve your meal on paper plates. You’ll spend less time and energy on clean-up, too.

Supplement with deli sides

The perfect pot roast is in the oven or the barbecue ribs are on the grill, but what will you serve with them? Check out the deli at your neighborhood supermarket for sides to supplement your own main course, or pick up a bagged salad from the produce department. You can add your own ingredients -- grated cheese, croutons, sunflower seeds, cherry or grape tomatoes – to make it your own or buy a kit with all ingredients included.

Discover the crock pot

Using a crock pot is a great way to have a meal ready when you are. Just assemble ingredients early in the day, set the timer and enjoy a meal when you return in the evening. Check out crock pot recipes in books and online and look for a crock pot with a lightweight liner that can be removed for cleaning.

Work smart – not hard

Cooking is not as hard work when you use helpful gadgets and find alternate ways of doing things that cause fatigue or pain. Take advantage of electric peelers, mixers, can openers and jar openers. Use pots and pans with handles on both sides to make lifting easier. Speak with an occupational therapist, who can help you find easier ways to do many of the tasks associated with meal preparation and clean-up.

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