A recipe to get people with arthritis back in the kitchen

ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS who love to cook but hate the discomfort the condition can bring are being encouraged to get back in the kitchen.

Arthritis Ireland has launched Let’s Cook! – a free programme of cooking lessons that combines balanced nutrition with hints to help reduce the stress on joints.

Healthy eating is an “essential part” of controlling the symptoms of arthritis, but many people with the condition avoid preparing their own meals because of the discomfort it can cause, Arthritis Ireland said.

It found in a survey that 35 per cent of people living with the condition opted for convenience food rather than home cooking. And 54 per cent said their arthritis stopped them from cooking regularly.

Let’s Cook! should provide some answers, said celebrity chef Stuart O’Keeffe, who was in Dublin yesterday to launch the series of cooking classes, which are being run by Arthritis Ireland with the support of healthcare company Abbott.

Only slightly altering the way a person works in the kitchen could help people to go back to cooking, Mr O’Keeffe said.

“I firmly believe that by learning how to prepare and cook the right foods, it is possible for people with arthritis to cook in a way that they feel comfortable and enjoy.”

He put together a selection of tailor-made recipes as part of the campaign. Advice is also provided on the use of ergonomic utensils, labour-saving food-processing machines and reducing the stresses and strains when handling pots.

Arthritis Ireland has planned classes for centres across the State, to run between May 12th and 26th. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

See arthritisireland.ie/letscookfor more details