In the last few weeks, I’ve shared tips to help create healthful meals that are fatigue-friendly for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Your meal plan is set and your pantry is stocked with nutritious, easily-prepared foods. Here are a few helpful kitchen gadgets and some minor adjustments that can make cooking more efficient and feel like less of a chore.
- Secure your cutting board. When you are not able to buy pre-cut vegetables and fruits and need to do the chopping yourself, make sure to secure your cutting board. Placing a non-slip mat or wet towel under the board works well. This keeps it from slipping when you slice, dice and grate.
- If you are sensitive to heat, keep the kitchen cool. Try placing a small fan by your workstation. Avoid baking on hot days. Also, using the microwave is not only faster, it will not heat up your kitchen. Consider using paper plates and lining your pots and pans in aluminum foil in order to avoid having to wash dishes in hot water.
- Use your tools. Minimize your exertion in the kitchen by using electric food processors, blenders, mixers and can openers rather than manual ones. If money or storage space is an issue, consider investing in just one item, the electric food processor. These can often be picked up inexpensively at a Goodwill or yard sale. This one appliance can quickly grate, chop, mix, puree and blend.
- Kick out the clutter. Finally, keep your tools like measuring cups, pots, pans and utensils in a central location to avoid back-and-forth. Give away all the old kitchen items you don’t use to keep clutter out of your way and keep frequently used items out on the counter for easy accessibility.
