A Gentle Dinner for Fibromyalgia Days: Anti-Inflammatory Cornish Hen & Soothing Sides
A Gentle Dinner for Fibromyalgia Days: Anti-Inflammatory Cornish Hen & Soothing Sides
Some days, cooking feels impossible. Not because you don’t want to eat well—but because your body is already asking for mercy.
On fibromyalgia days, I don’t cook to impress. I cook to soothe. I cook to support my nervous system, reduce inflammation, and give my body what it needs without pushing past its limits. This dinner was born out of one of those days—when I needed warmth, simplicity, and nourishment without complexity.
This meal uses minimal ingredients, gentle seasonings, and steady heat. Nothing harsh. Nothing inflammatory. Just food that works with the body instead of against it.
The Centerpiece: Anti-Inflammatory Roasted Cornish Hen
Roasting a Cornish hen is one of the easiest ways to create a complete, satisfying meal with very little hands-on effort. It cooks evenly, portions naturally, and doesn’t require constant attention—which matters when energy is limited.
5 gentle ingredients
1 Cornish hen
Olive oil
Sea salt
Garlic powder
Dried thyme or rosemary
How I prepare it
I preheat the oven to 400°F and pat the hen dry—this helps the skin crisp without needing extra fat. I rub it lightly with olive oil and season simply. No spice overload. No inflammation triggers.
The hen roasts uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until golden and cooked through. While it cooks, I rest. I don’t hover. I let the oven do the work.
This alone feels like an act of self-respect.
Soft Comfort: Cinnamon Candied Yams (Simplified)
Sweet potatoes are naturally anti-inflammatory, rich in fiber, and gentle on digestion—making them a fibromyalgia staple in my kitchen.
Ingredients
Candied yams or cooked sweet potatoes
Olive oil or a small amount of butter
Cinnamon
I warm them slowly and add just enough cinnamon to bring comfort without overstimulation. No refined sugar. No heavy syrups. Just warmth and ease.
Cooling Balance: Avocado Spinach Salad (No Raw Overload)
On fibro days, raw vegetables can sometimes feel like too much. This salad stays soft, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory.
Ingredients
Baby spinach
Avocados (2), sliced
Cucumber, sliced
Tomato, chopped
Simple dressing
Mashed avocado
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Sea salt
The dressing is creamy, calming, and dairy-free—supportive for inflammation and gut balance. I keep the portions modest and listen to my body.
Optional: Skip the Stuffing (or Simplify It)
On high-pain days, I skip stuffing entirely.
If I include it, I keep it plain and gluten-light, with olive oil instead of butter and no added sugars or preservatives.
Permission to simplify is part of healing.
How I Serve This on Low-Energy Days
I don’t plate for aesthetics—I plate for comfort.
Cornish hen first.
Yams beside it.
A small serving of salad for freshness.
Then I sit down and eat slowly, without screens, without pressure. Fibromyalgia teaches you to listen—and meals like this help reinforce that practice.
A Gentle Reminder
If all you did today was feed yourself something nourishing—you did enough.
Healing doesn’t require perfection.
It requires compassion, consistency, and rest.
If you’re navigating fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or inflammation, I hope this meal meets you where you are.
