You've probably heard that eating right can help people with MS keep up their energy and improve their overall health. But it's not easy to make this change overnight! And if you experience fatigue, poor coordination, and mobility problems from your MS, it can be even harder. But there are easy ways to eat healthy with MS.
Many people find it hard to stick to a healthy diet for one simple reason – it's not convenient. The key to eating healthy is to make it easy by having all the basics on hand to make a healthy meal or snack. Here are a few tips:
Meal planning and shopping
- Invest in one or two good cookbooks that specialize in healthy meals that are quick and simple to make. Check with your local MS society for recommendations.
- Learn how to make a few of these healthy meals and snacks. Then keep your kitchen well stocked with the basic ingredients needed to make them.
- Save yourself time and energy by grocery shopping only once a week. Before you go, think of which meals and snacks you want to make that week. Then make a list, including the ingredients you'll need for these foods plus any "basics" you need to restock.
- If you're feeling low on energy when grocery shopping day comes around, or if carrying groceries is a problem, consider using a delivery service, either online or through your grocery store. Or give your list to a friend or family member so they can pick up your groceries while they're shopping for their own.
Cooking
- To make cooking easier, choose ingredients and recipes with minimal preparation time. You can also make it faster by choosing ingredients that are already partly prepared, such as pre-chopped vegetables or pre-shredded cheese.
- If your symptoms make it difficult or tiring to cook, consider having an occupational therapist look at your kitchen. This professional can suggest ways to make your kitchen work better for you, such as rearranging your kitchen, using special utensils or reaching aids, or removing cupboards and shelves under your kitchen counters so you can sit while preparing a meal.
- Cook enough for many meals, and freeze the leftovers. This way you won't have to cook as often, which will save you time and energy. To reduce fatigue, cook on days when you don't have many activities already scheduled. On busier days, you can eat leftovers.
And what about those days when you're out of leftovers and don't have the time or energy to cook? Keep on hand some healthier frozen dinners (those that are low in salt and fat) and take-out menus from restaurants with healthy food options. These are a great alternative when cooking is not an option.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/MS-and-Nutrition