Cooking tips to make life easier for those with MG
A columnist learned by watching his father, who also had MG
Chef Marco Pierre White once observed that “a chef’s palate is born out of his childhood, and one thing all chefs have in common is a mother who can cook.”
My mother wasn’t fond of cooking, and while she had a palate for only the best food, my dad was the chef in our house. Dad was a fantastic cook who greatly enjoyed the entire experience, from grocery shopping to finished meal. Mom was sensible enough to step aside and let Dad take care of our food.
Dad came from a long line of male chefs. My grandfather enjoyed cooking, and my great-uncle Shadrack was a chef who began his career in the U.S. Navy. “Shady” served in the Spanish-American War, and when his mother paid for someone to replace him, Shady promptly reenlisted, using his mother’s maiden name. When she paid for another substitute, he reenlisted again and returned to his position as chef. This time, my great-great-grandmother, Nana Lever, let him remain with his ship. Family stories tell how Nana, after spending the equivalent of $600,000, decided that maybe Shady had found his calling.
Either my guests are consummate liars, or I’m a darn good cook, too. My nephews Lucas and Joe are excellent cooks as well, and the tradition continues. I guess it’s in our blood.
How does this pertain to myasthenia gravis (MG)? First, I need to mention that, like me, my dad had MG. He lived to 87 and was active in the kitchen until the day before he died. Those of us who live with MG understand what a remarkable accomplishment this longevity was. For 10 years after Dad’s diagnosis, I observed him in the grocery store and the kitchen. It gave me insight into how one can continue cooking good meals while living with MG.
Helpful shortcuts
Many people with MG find cooking a difficult task because of its physical demands. I’d like to share some tips that make the process easier and keep it fun and rewarding. An MG diagnosis need not banish you to the frozen food aisle. Good, whole, clean food has actually helped me manage my MG symptoms.
Set aside time each week devoted solely to meal planning. I plan seven days at a time, but choose a time frame that works for you. I decide what I’d like to eat for the next seven days and include at least two meals from delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Favor. That decreases labor and is fine if the food is clean and nutritious.
Once I have meals planned and recipes in hand, I make a list of all the necessary ingredients, checking to see which ones I need to purchase. I use online grocery delivery services such as Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Target, but there are many others. They eliminate the need to travel to grocery stores and walk up and down aisles. All the lifting of heavy bags and boxes can be reduced or eliminated, which saves precious energy for other tasks.
Prep work can often be completed in advance. Most Saturdays and Sundays, I set aside time to cut up fresh vegetables and fruits. I measure recipe ingredients such as spices, flour, and such, storing them in glass containers that I set aside. That eliminates one step in the cooking process. Meals become a matter of putting together the appropriate ingredients and cooking them.
A few times each month, I make large batches of soup, deserts, lasagna, and casseroles, which I freeze. These come in handy on days when my fatigue is incapacitating.
Recipes don’t always need to be completed in one day, and many can be made over the course of several days. Keep in mind the MG rule that one should rest before it’s necessary.
I have other shortcuts and labor-saving suggestions that I’ll share in future columns. Until then, keep in mind what gastronome Craig Claiborne said: “Cooking is at once child’s play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”
Share some love.
Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.
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