Released: May 05, 2003

May is National Arthritis Month
Arthritis Sufferers Can Simplify Cooking

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Learning to recognize easy recipes that yield tasty, healthful meals and re-thinking some grocery shopping strategies can result in good food that’s fast and easy, said Mary Meck Higgins, K-State Research and Extension nutrition educator.

Saving time and energy in the kitchen can be a plus for anyone, but it’s especially important for a growing number of people – as many as 70 million – who suffer from arthritis.

The disease can make everyday tasks – such as cooking – difficult. It is, however, possible to manage meal preparation and, at the same time, reduce stress on joints, said Higgins, who offered these tips to simplify meal preparation:

* Look for recipes with a limited number of ingredients (three to five, for example) and steps.

* Look also for recipes that combine ingredients you know and like.

* Consider a picture cookbook, so you can see the finished product.

* Choose products – or ingredients – that can simplify preparation.

“Compare the cost of foods with their convenience. For instance, paying a little extra for grated cheese or frozen chopped onions eliminates the need to grate the cheese or chop the onions yourself. Doing so can save time and reduce stress on joints,” Higgins said.

*Speed-scratch? This new kind of cooking combines selected convenience foods with from-scratch ingredients to complete a meal quickly. Here’s an example of a fit-for-company meal: Choose a deli-roasted chicken or ready to heat ‘n eat roast as the lean protein at the meal. Select pre-cut salad ingredients from the salad bar or buy ready-to-eat bagged salad. Choose fresh, frozen or canned vegetables that can be steamed quickly in the microwave or in a pan on top of the stove. Serve whole grain bread fresh from the bakery. Add fresh, frozen or canned fruit for dessert.

The need – or desire – to prepare a meal quickly and easily need not compromise nutrition and, ultimately, health. Foods prepared at home generally are lower in calories and fat than foods eaten away from home, the nutrition educator said.

For more information on simplifying meal preparation, interested persons may contact their local K-State Research and Extension office. For additional information on learning to manage arthritis successfully, interested persons may contact their health care professional and the Kansas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation at 316-263-0116 or, if outside of the Wichita area, 800-362-1108.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension

K-State Research & Extension News