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Making Meal Prep Easier: Kitchen Tools That Help with Arthritis
As someone who’s lived with arthritis for years, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when simple tasks in the kitchen turn into painful challenges. Chopping vegetables, opening jars, or even holding a spoon can leave my hands aching. But over time, I’ve found that the right kitchen tools can really make a difference. In fact, some tools are game-changers when it comes to reducing strain and making meal prep faster, easier, and way more enjoyable.
If you’re struggling with arthritis in your hands or wrists, you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll share the best kitchen aids that have helped me manage my arthritis while cooking—and I’m sure they’ll help you, too!
Why the Right Kitchen Tools Matter
Arthritis can make it tough to do everyday tasks, especially when it comes to gripping things or making repetitive movements. Over time, even small actions—like twisting a jar lid or cutting through a tough vegetable—can become pretty painful. But the good news is, there are specialized kitchen tools designed to make these tasks much easier and less stressful on your joints.
With the right tools, you can save yourself from unnecessary pain and discomfort while cooking. Let’s dive into some of the best kitchen aids for people with arthritis.
Top Kitchen Aids for Arthritis
1. Jar Openers: The Struggle Is Real
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve struggled with a jar lid that just won’t budge. When arthritis makes your grip weak, opening jars can feel like a serious workout.
Why It Helps: A tool like the OXO Good Grips Jar Opener is a game-changer. The non-slip handle and the leverage it provides make twisting open a jar so much easier. No more frustration or painful twisting!
How to Use It: Simply place the opener on the lid, give it a twist, and let the tool do the hard work for you. It’s that simple.
Tip: Look for jar openers with adjustable settings to fit different lid sizes.
➡️ Learn more about jar openers here.
2. Ergonomic Kitchen Utensils: Comfort Meets Control
For years, I used regular utensils, and my hands paid the price. The difference was night and day when I switched to ergonomic kitchen utensils with cushioned handles.
Why It Helps: Utensils like the Good Grips Cutlery Set have padded handles that reduce pressure on your hands. This makes meal prep much more manageable, especially for longer cooking sessions.
Bonus Tip: Pair ergonomic utensils with plates that have raised edges. This keeps food in place and reduces spills.
➡️ Explore ergonomic utensils here.
3. Adaptive Cutting Tools: Chopping Made Easy
Chopping veggies used to be one of the most painful parts of cooking for me. I used to dread slicing through tough carrots or cucumbers. Then I discovered adaptive cutting tools like the Cuisipro Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer.
Why It Helps: The sharp blade of the mandoline requires little pressure to cut through food, and the safety guard keeps your fingers safe. It’s a quick, easy way to chop without the pain.
Bonus Uses: This tool is great for slicing cucumbers, carrots, and even cheese in seconds.
➡️ Check out the adaptive slicer here.
4. Electric Can Openers: No More Straining
Manual can openers were always a pain for me, especially with my arthritis. That’s when I switched to an electric can opener, and it made all the difference.
Why It Helps: An electric can opener, like the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch, doesn’t require any twisting or squeezing. It smoothly cuts the lid without any sharp edges, so it’s safer and easier to use.
➡️ See more about electric can openers here.
5. Anti-Slip Mats: Keep Everything in Place
One of the simplest but most effective tools I’ve found is an anti-slip mat. It’s a small thing, but it makes a huge difference when prepping food.
Why It Helps: Placing an anti-slip mat under your cutting board keeps it from sliding around while you chop. This gives you better control and reduces the risk of accidents.
Extra Tip: Use these mats under bowls or plates for added stability while mixing or stirring.
➡️ Discover anti-slip mats for under your cutting board here.
Personal Tips for a More Comfortable Kitchen
In addition to the tools I’ve mentioned, here are a few tips that I’ve picked up over the years to make cooking with arthritis a little easier:
- Organize Your Workspace: Keep the items you use most often within easy reach to avoid unnecessary bending and stretching.
- Pre-Chop or Pre-Measure: Using pre-chopped veggies or pre-measured ingredients can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
- Use Appliances That Do the Work for You: Slow cookers, pressure cookers, or food processors can handle a lot of the prep work for you. Just set it and forget it!
Conclusion: Cooking Doesn’t Have to Be Painful
Living with arthritis doesn’t mean you have to give up cooking or meal prep. With the right tools, you can make cooking more comfortable and enjoyable again. By incorporating these aids into your routine, you’ll find that meal prep can be easier, quicker, and a lot less painful.
Related Reads:
Arthritis Kitchen Tools: Cooking Comfort with Adaptive Utensils
Adaptive Eating Utensils for Arthritic Hands: Kitchen Sets Compared
🙋♀️ What about you? Do you have a favorite kitchen tool or tip that helps with arthritis? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going!