Cooking with a Disability
I have a restricted diet that requires me to cook all of my own food, and I also have an illness that causes fatigue and fainting spells. Here are some tips I have found helpful for when I need to spend time cooking but I don't feel well:
If you buy your meat from the butcher in a grocery store, ask them to cut the meat up for you! Almost all (American) grocery stores I've been to have been happy to do it. This includes cutting chicken off the bone, slicing up steak, etc. Just ask them nicely at the beginning of your grocery trip and come back a half hour later to pick it up.
Similarly, try buying pre-sliced fruits, vegetables, or baked goods when they're available.
Small, easily openable containers make life so much easier. Squeezable applesauce or yogurt, little jars of peanut butter, and other small foods are a staple in my house when I'm feeling sick.
Pre-made meals, if you're able to eat them, are also a great way to lighten your load. I know it can be a stressful to hear people say "oh, but the plastic!" Ignore them. Packaged foods are immensely helpful and only use a tiny amount of plastic in the grand scheme of things. Your health is more important!
Ask an able-bodied friend or family member to cook with you! Cooking together can be so much fun, and you can divvy up the tasks so that they are appropriate for your ability levels.
Put on some music.!This doesn't affect the food, but it makes a boring task a little more fun.
Do everything you can sitting down. I put my toaster, cutting board, blender, etc. all on my kitchen table. We almost never see it in media, but there is actually nothing wrong with doing these tasks while sitting down, as long as you can be safe.
You do not need to make an entire meal at one time. If a recipe involves chopping vegetables and cooking the vegetables, you can chop vegetables in the morning and cook them in the afternoon. A little bit of cooking is still cooking!
Food is food is food. You don't need to be eating avocado toast and a buddha bowl for breakfast every day! Focus on giving your body the energy it needs, in whatever form that may take. Cereal for dinner is a valid decision.
Cookbooks written for children often have very simple recipes that are great for disabled folk. For anyone with sensory issues (hello, neurodivergent friends!) kids recipes are mild and sensory-friendly. I own three or four kids' cookbooks and I use them all the time.
The dishes aren't going anywhere. Eat your food, and worry about clean-up after you have a hearty meal in your stomach.
Give yourself a hug from me. I'm so proud of you for persevering and taking care of yourself <3
