Easy Meals for People With Arthritisby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 12 Feb 2007 03:22 PM Arthritis pain can make everything more difficult. Here are some tips to help you eat well despite your aching joints.
- On your good days, cook extra. If the pain is low and your energy levels are up, it doesn't take a whole lot more effort to make double the amount of food you'd normally eat. Freeze the extra and pull it out on a bad day.
- Stock up on frozen entrees. But be careful with what you buy; frozen meals can be very high in sodium and low in fiber. Try to pick meals that have 800 milligrams of sodium or less. You'll also want a meal with 15 grams of protein (or more) and at least four grams of fiber.
- Keep plenty of frozen veggies on hand. There are lots of brands out there that you can cook right in the bag! Pop it in the microwave and you've got a healthy side dish that's chock full of vitamins and minerals -- and all you have to do is cut open the bag and pour out the vegetables.
- Search your supermarket for nearly-ready meals like roasted chickens, sushi, and hearty soups. A protein-packed soup like lentil or split pea is a good start -- you may need to supplement your meal with fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, and dairy.
- Liquid meals are an okay starter -- they usually have around a quarter of the vitamins and minerals you need in a day -- but often lack protein and fiber. You may need to pair your liquid meal with a slice of toast and a piece of fruit to really feel satisfied. Liquid meal replacements can be more expensive, so your budget may be better off with actual food.
If meal prep is mostly out of the question because of your arthritis, you may want to think about contacting your local Meals on Wheels program (or something similar). For further reading:
arthritis, cooking with arthritis, joint pain, joint function
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