I totally understand what it is like to not be able to cook as I often have times when I just can't do it either. I'm sorry to hear you can't do it at all, that must really suck. I usually cook big batches when I'm feeling ok then portion them off into the freezer for the days when I'm just not up to it. Lately I'm making wrap sandwiches with loads of fresh veggies, lemon tahinni sauce and quinoa cakes (I tasted a quinoa sweet potato cake at Whole Foods that was to die for but would brake the bank so I invented my own) it's become my main meal lately, simple to put together and full of protein and nutrition. You can just add what ever fresh veggies are on hand roll it up and away you go. I know that's easier said than done for those of you with the RSD in your hands, I hate it when my left hand gets flare up. For me it seems to be about the amount of time I spend on my feet, sometimes I just take all my stuff over to the table and sit down and chop it up in advance so it's all ready to go when I want it. It's also great to have veggies ready to nibble on instead of reaching for a candy bar. A life saver for me is the Lara Bars as they just have dried fruits and nuts no added sugars or preservatives.

In an effort to get away from soda pop I switched over to sparkling mineral after a few years back. If I need something a bit sweeter I just add some cherry juice (non sweetened of course) They only thing you need to watch out for is the salt content, I have such low salt elsewhere in my diet so I haven't found it to be a problem.

For me these changes had to come gradually and I find I still fight the odd urge to go get a burger and fries every now and then but I do mange to resist especially when I think about the effects it will have on me and my pain levels. There was a recent mainstream research report on a study about how inflammatory fatty foods affect those with asthma and it confirmed for me that I'm on the right track.

Perhaps others here have some helpful tips on how to eat healthy nutritious foods without having to cook?

MsL

Thanks that sounds sooo yummy! i definitely relate breaking the bank on good healthy food. we don't have a whole foods and our local mom and pop shut down a while ago.

I found this article a few months ago in a Medical magazine so I took it to my Dr. I have high cholestral so he said to go back to the caffine or don't drink any of it. I now do half and half caffine. I don't need the caffine I just like the taste of coffee. Thought it might interest some of you.

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Decaffeinated coffee may be harmful

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that decaffeinated coffee can raise blood choleterol, which may increase the risk of heart disease.
Maybe you think decaffeinated coffee is a healthier choice than the regular type? That could, unfortunately, be a misconception, according to a report from the Coffee and Lipoprotein Metabolism (CALM) Study. Researchers in Atlanta, Georgia, looked at a group of 187 people who drank either three to six cups of regular coffee a day, three to six cups of decaffeinated, or no coffee.

There was no difference between the three groups with regard to blood insulin, glucose or blood pressure after three months. But those on decaffeinated coffee had an increase in a protein and in fatty acids linked to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or 'bad' cholesterol, increases of which can be a sign of heart disease ).

These results are perhaps rather surprising. However, there are differences between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, other than the caffeine content. They tend to be made from different species of coffee bean. Caffeinated is often derived from Arabica beans, decaffeinated from Robusta. This is because decaffeination tends to leach out flavor compounds and Robusta has, as the name suggests, a more 'robust' flavor that makes up for this. No need to give up coffee on account of this study, but you might consider switching back to the regular type if you drink a lot (or just cut down).

Source
American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 16th November 2005

Created on: 11/17/2005
Reviewed on: 11/17/2005

Processed meats can give me trouble. I believe it's the sodium nitrite. Excesses of all sorts will give me trouble. Eating smaller amounts more often seems to help.

The Four F diet is wonderful for my weight, but I have only noticed swelling decreasing in my limbs, but the pain remains the same...the swelling was sometime worse than the pain so I should be thankful. http://www.rsdrx.com/four_f%27s_diet.htm