Arthritis is a disease of the joints that causes inflammation. Inflammation of the joints, as well as swelling and soreness that accompany it, may cause discomfort while going about your daily chores, such as preparing food. Eating healthily (particularly anti-inflammatory foods), exercising regularly, and taking prescription medication may all help alleviate pain and discomfort. For those of us who find it difficult to cook, there are now a plethora of useful equipment and devices available.
Arthritis affects an estimated 58.5 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A major cause of persistent discomfort in the hands and wrists is arthritis. A pain expert and chief medical officer at Clearing, New York City-based Jacob Hascalovici, MD, PhD, says osteoarthritis, which damages the cartilage that cushions the bones in the hands, is one of the most frequent varieties. Inflammation of the joint linings of the hands is frequent in rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory illness. arthritis may make it difficult to mix, chop meat or vegetables, open cans or jars, or apply spices, for example, since we use our hands so often in the kitchen.”
When it comes to the aches and pains of kitchen labor, Hascalovici adds that mixers, food processors, blenders, and even sharp knives may help persons with arthritis of the hand. When it comes to chopping, some persons with arthritis use food processors or mandolins or ulu knives. You should seek for attachments that have big buttons, or cushioned or easy-to-handle grips, and are reasonably simple to move about the kitchen with a standing mixer,” he explains.
Using a sharpening is a good idea when it comes to blades, but you should also exercise extreme caution to avoid hurting yourself and have a first-aid kit on available just in case. To open jars, you may use rubber ring grips, electric can openers, or a butter knife to pierce the lid seal and release trapped air.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT
Before you begin cooking, Hascalovici suggests taking a few minutes to inspect your kitchen area to see if you can make any adjustments or gather any special prep materials. Put clever tactics into action: In pain-free days, can you, for example, cut a large number of veggies at once and freeze them for later use? To ease the pain of sore hands, he suggests keeping a basin of warm water or paraffin on standby. Using dull knives, carrying big pots or skillets, and not planning ahead for how to handle any aches or pains that emerge are all things you should definitely avoid.
We’ve compiled a list of the best kitchen gadgets and equipment for folks with arthritis or wrist discomfort. To make life simpler, tools like these are available to help you get through the day-to-day.
1. NONSLIP GRIP: Good Grips Swivel Peeler
This peeling tool has it all: a cushioned grip, a sharp, hardened stainless steel blade, and a non-slip cushioned handle even when your hands are wet.
In case you didn’t know, the original OXO Good Grips range of kitchen equipment was created with input from an arthritis patient and a gerontologist with the goal of making ordinary kitchen activities easier using ergonomically-made instruments with soft, pleasant grips.
The first 15 OXO tools, including this best-selling swivel peeler on Amazon, were won the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation design prize in 1990 because they were so beneficial to people with arthritis. Now, the company’s design is based on common chores that are better for hands of different sizes and strengths.
Many of the goods on this list have been deemed best-in-class by the BestProducts.com staff.
2. 5-IN-1 OPENER: Soda and Water Bottle Opener
It may be a real pain in the hands to try to open bottles when you have arthritis or painful hands. The bottle opener’s ergonomic design makes it easier for those with weaker hands to remove bottle tops. Let’s go back to preparing that seltzer drink at 5:00 p.m.
3. OPENS JARS OF ALL SIZES: Good Grips Jar Opener with Base Pad
Anyone might find it difficult to open a jar, but those with arthritis find it much more difficult. With this jar opener with a non-slip grip and a base pad that secures the lid and the jar, you can open them easily with only a twist of the handle.
The soft handle cushions don’t need a lot of hand pressure, and the stainless steel teeth grasp the lid securely. Additionally, the base pad helps to stabilize bottles, making it simpler to open them with a screwdriver.
4. LIFETIME WARRANTY: Stainless Steel Butter Spreader
It’s not that difficult to apply butter evenly. You won’t have to worry about your toast tearing apart when you use this top-rated butter spreader. You may also find this butter spread more pleasant to use than a conventional butter knife because of its ergonomic shape.
5. MEAL-PREP STAR: Good Grips Prep and Go 10-Piece Set
Even if you don’t have arthritis, dealing with Tupperware that’s difficult to shut is a pain. It’s time for you to see this Amazon’s Choice food container set that is leakproof, dishwasher safe, freezer safe, and odor and stain resistant.
These containers stack nicely in your fridge or cabinets, making them ideal for storing leftovers or meal prep ingredients. A 20-piece set is also available.
6. DISASSEMBLES FOR EASY CLEANING: Good Grips Glass Salad Spinner
This salad spinner, one of OXO’s more recent additions, greatly improves the drying process for greens and herbs. The gentle, non-slip knob on top makes it easy to get your hands on some freshly washed and dried lettuce. Nonslip base keeps the spinner from slipping and the built-in brake button stops the spinner in a matter of seconds if you’re done spinning.
Once your greens and/or herbs have been spun, you may remove them from the colander and place them in the supplied glass bowl.
For spaghetti, beans, and other foods, the spinning basket doubles as a colander.
7. INCLUDES STAND AND INSTRUCTION BOOK: Alaskan Ulu
For people with arthritis, an Ulu knife, as indicated by Hascalovici, may be an excellent option (or anyone who does a lot of chopping in the kitchen and suffers from hand pain).
With the assistance of so-called rocker knives, jobs like chopping nuts or slicing hard cheese become less uncomfortable, according to the manufacturers. We particularly like the ease with which this knife may be sharpened using a knife sharpener, as well as the length of time it can go between sharpenings.
8. DISHWASHER-SAFE: Good Grips Garlic Press
A recipe calling for minced garlic needn’t freak you out anymore! Zinc die-casting for long-lasting durability? Check. Garlic chamber with a lot of storage space? Check.
When you use the Good Grips Garlic Press, you don’t have to kneel down over a cutting board and work with a knife anymore. It’s not only the non-slip, comfy rubber grips that we enjoy, but the built-in cleaner saves you from having to thoroughly clean it after each use.
9. BUILT-IN PLIERS: Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
A can opener is something you’ll need in your kitchen. OXO’s best-selling manual can opener is a fan favorite. You can open cans more easily without damaging the can or lid by using an enlarged side wind mechanism with a soft-grip knob. Lid pliers are also useful for removing lids without putting your hands in tomato paste or bean liquid.
10. HIGHEST COPPER CONTENT: Store Arthritis Gloves
Hand discomfort from arthritis or tendinitis may be relieved by these gloves, which have received over 43,000 positive reviews and many five-star ratings. Whether you’re cooking (particularly with knives), writing, or going about your day, these copper-infused compression gloves with flexible fabric and moisture-wicking properties will keep you comfortable. Overnight use of these four-way stretch gloves is a great method to rejuvenate your hands.
