Winner, the author of A Complete Illustrated Guide to Cooking With Arthritis, was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis more than 20 years ago. Despite her physical limitations, she typically cooks dinner five nights a week. When it comes to making meals, Winner finds one of the biggest difficulties is battling fatigue. “When you prepare food, it takes a lot out of you. It really does,” she says. RELATED: The 10 Best Arthritis Blogs to Keep You (and Your Body) Moving Tasks that most people consider simple — such as slicing vegetables, lifting a pot, or opening a container — can be hard if you have joint pain and swelling.
Prep Is Key
“When you have a disease like this, you have to plan,” Winner says. She recommends shopping early in the morning when grocery stores aren’t crowded and employees are available to help you lift or reach certain items. Winner likes to prep ahead, sometimes getting all the ingredients together for several meals at a time. Then she spreads out the actual cooking. “You can’t overdo it, or you’ll be too tired,” Winner says.
Customize Your Kitchen
A few simple modifications in the kitchen can make a big difference if you have psoriatic arthritis. Here are some of Winner’s favorite kitchen hacks:
Cooking Should Be Fun!
You’re going to have both good and bad days, says Winner, so don’t be too hard on yourself. “You have to have a positive attitude,” she says. “If you don’t, your disease wins.” If you’re not feeling well, don’t overexert yourself in the kitchen. Cooking should be an enjoyable experience. For Winner, it’s downright therapeutic. “I find a lot of relief in cooking. There’s some kind of deep, inner accomplishment when you can make something that puts smiles on people’s faces and you know you did it despite what you’ve been through,” she says.
