“Adaptive Kitchen Equipment: 6 Products to Simplify Meal Prep” was written by Yemina Goldberg and reviewed/edited by Gabi Abreu, BSc and Jackie Silver MHSc, RD
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is meant for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be personalized medical or nutrition advice. For a plan tailored to your needs, please consult with a Registered Dietitian or qualified healthcare professional.
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Last updated: July 30, 2024
Adaptive Kitchen Equipment: A Personal Journey Advocating for Health
Growing up with cerebral palsy, I (Yemina) learned first hand about the importance of nutrition, which I discussed in detail in my previous blog post, Cerebral Palsy Nutrition. Fast forward ten years, and I am now studying nutrition science in university and remain passionate about the importance of nutrition for everyone.
Along my journey, I have noticed a significant lack of practical nutrition information for people with disabilities. To address this, I invited my friend Kamal, who is studying media production in university, to join me in testing various types of adaptive kitchen equipment while we cooked a meal together.
This blog post will share our experience and insights, aiming to provide valuable tips and recommendations for those with disabilities looking to maintain a healthy diet.
The information in this post is relevant for folks with a wide array of disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, MS, Parkinson’s, chronic fatigue, and more.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of adaptive kitchen equipment.
Adaptive Kitchen Equipment: Introduction
Cooking at home is one way to make your diet healthier and is recommended in Canada’s Food Guide. This is especially important for disabled people who may have special dietary needs. However, cooking can be more difficult due to various limitations.
Disabilities can result in physical limitations, such as difficulties moving around the kitchen, cutting food, or opening packaging. They can also result in fatigue and difficulties in concentrating and meal planning. This is where adaptive kitchen equipment comes in.
There are two main categories of adaptive kitchen equipment. The first category includes products designed for universal ease of use, making cooking simpler for everyone but essential for those with disabilities.
The second category consists of equipment specifically designed for disabled people, addressing their unique needs.
Adaptive Kitchen Equipment for Limited Hand Function and Mobility
If you have limited hand function or limited mobility, you may have trouble with essential cooking tasks such as cutting food and opening packaging. To address challenges with cutting, I tried out the following piece of adaptive kitchen equipment:
A right-angled knife is a product designed specifically for people with disabilities. The blade comes out of the handle at a 90-degree angle, making it easier to keep the knife at the right angle for cutting. I give this knife a score of 4/5. It was really easy to use and cut through an onion effortlessly with minimal pressure.
However, a word of caution: the knife is extremely sharp. While it is great for cutting, it can be dangerous if unintentional arm movements are part of your disability.
The gripping cutting board is universally designed to make cutting easier for everyone. This cutting board was great. It didn’t slide around and the vegetables stayed securely in place easily as well. I give the cutting board a score of 5/5 for its stability and sturdiness.
The Vidalia Chop Wizard is an “As Seen on TV” product designed to make cutting easier for everyone. The system has three different sets of blades that can be placed over a plastic container. To use it, you place the food on top of the blade and press the cover down to cut the food.
I give the Chop Wizard a score of 3/5. While it saved a lot of time, it required a lot of downward force to cut an onion. Softer vegetables will likely require less effort. Additionally, it was quite loud when cutting through the food. At $75, it was also one of the more expensive products I tested, which is something to keep in mind if you are on a budget.
To address potential challenges when opening products, I tried the following pieces of adaptive kitchen equipment:
The Nimble is another product specifically designed for disabled folks. It is a rubber cap with a small blade sticking out of it. You put your finger inside and can then press and slide it on packaging to cut into it.
I give the Nimble a score of 3/5 as we had a little trouble using it. Kamal is left-handed and it did not work for him, however, when we tried it on the right hand, it worked pretty well. A big positive of the Nimble is that it can be used on any finger and felt very safe to use.
The One Touch Can Opener is a battery-operated can opener, universally designed to make opening cans easier for everyone.
I give this can opener a score of 4/5. The instructions were not clear, but once we figured out how to use it, it worked very well. We tested it on a small can of beans and a large can of diced tomatoes. It opened both cans but could not lift up the lid on the can of tomatoes due to its large size. A bonus is that it cuts the lid of the can with no sharp edges, making it very safe.
Adaptive Kitchen Equipment Tips for Fatigue
Many disabilities result in fatigue, so finding ways to make cooking at home simpler and faster is important. Here are some tips that may be useful to you:
1. Use Adaptive Equipment
Make cutting and opening packages easier with adaptive kitchen equipment. Even if you don’t necessarily need them, using adaptive equipment can speed up tasks and reduce effort, which helps with fatigue and conserving your energy.
2. Plan Ahead
Create a schedule and plan for grocery shopping and cooking. You don’t need to do everything on the same day. Know your limits and plan accordingly to avoid overexertion. Check out this Meal Prep Made Easy course for everything you need to simplify your nutrition journey!
3. Sit as Much as Possible
Set up a station in your kitchen where you can sit while you prepare food. This can help you conserve energy and reduce fatigue.
4. Use Time-Saving Products
Use products that speed up cooking. For example, a bread machine kneads your bread for you; you just put in all the ingredients and let it do the work! While testing out adaptive equipment, I used an Instant Pot. It was simple to use and it cooked meals in a fraction of the time, reducing cooking time from over two hours to just 30 minutes. The Instant Pot has settings to saute and then cook, so recipes that would normally require two pots, only need one, making cleaning easier too.
My Adaptive Kitchen Equipment Test Story
Kamal and I chose a recipe from Crip Up the Kitchen called Electric Pressure Cooker Mexican Ground Beef Casserole. We chose it because it is nutritious, high in protein, and is ideal for meal prep and cooking in bulk. It is also freezer-friendly.
Making meals that create leftovers is a great way to avoid fatigue and cook smartly as they allow you to eat more than once. This recipe also involved a lot of cutting and opening, which was perfect for testing out various adaptive kitchen products. We made the recipe vegan by using jackfruit instead of beef, and it turned out really well.
Conclusion
Testing adaptive kitchen equipment has been an eye-opening experience, highlighting how the right tools can significantly ease the cooking process for individuals with disabilities. From the right-angled knife to the Instant Pot, each product we tried offered unique benefits and helped streamline meal preparation.
Whether you have limited hand function, mobility challenges, or experience fatigue, using adaptive equipment can make cooking more accessible and enjoyable. Remember to plan ahead, take breaks, and leverage these innovative tools to make your kitchen a more inclusive and efficient space. Happy cooking!
What adaptive kitchen tools have you found helpful in your own cooking? Share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below. We’d love to hear about your favorite products and any tips you have for making cooking easier!
MORE ADAPTIVE KITCHEN EQUIPMENT
- 5 in 1 can opener – This was not tested, but looks great for opening various cans and jars
- Silicon grippers – These were not tested for the blog, but I have seen them used and they are great for opening jars and holding jas in place. The bonus is that they are very affordable.
- Rock and roll cutter – This was not tested, but theoretically looks very helpful for cutting
- Adaptive utensils – These were not tested, but I know people who use them to help with prep work and eating afterward
- Active Hands gripping aid – These were not tested for the blog, but I have a pair that I use for gripping the handles of my walker and they work amazingly.
Links to Helpful Resources
- Accessible Chef: Adaptive Cooking Tools
- The Spruce Eats: Best Adaptive Cooking Tools
- Crip Up the Kitchen: A cookbook by Jules Sherred
- The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook
Links to Similar Blog Posts
- Adaptive Feeding Equipment
- Cerebral Palsy Nutrition
- SCI Nutrition
- Nutrition for Neurogenic Bowel and Bladder
- What to eat after surgery
- Nutrition for Wound Healing
- Chair and Wheelchair Yoga
About Yemina
Yemina is a student in the Nutrition and Food Sciences program at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she is also pursuing a minor in disability studies. Born with cerebral palsy, Yemina has a mission to improve the accessibility of nutrition for people with disabilities. In her spare time Yemina enjoys reading, movies, and singing.
About Jackie
Jackie is a Registered Dietitian whose mission is to empower and support the neurodivergent and physically disabled communities through nutrition. Jackie runs a virtual private practice, providing services in Ontario and New York, as well as a blog which has simple recipes and health information tailored to these communities. She loves cooking, exercising, traveling, journaling, and spending time with family and friends.
About Gabi
Gabi Abreu, BSc, is a Nutrition & Dietetics graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University and the Blog & Social Media Manager at Jackie Silver Nutrition. She is also the founder of the Working Woman’s Health Collection. WWHC was created with the purpose of inspiring women to achieve a healthy relationship with food, while taking into consideration the busy lifestyles that we live today. Beyond her professional pursuits, she loves experimenting with new recipes, trying new workout classes, and indulging her love for adventure through travel!