Arthritis Diet

Anti-arthritis treatment has included weight-loss diets as an attempt to reduce the amount of stress on joints affected by disease for a long time, but more recently the “Anti-inflammatory Diet” has been developed and used as a diet to prevent arthritis. Some researchers have found that certain foods may contribute to the development of arthritis more frequently than was recognized in the past. In addition, some foods benefit people with arthritis by helping to decrease inflammation.

Major Triggers of Arthritis 

1. Dairy products (whole cow’s milk, goat’s milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc.)
2. Corn
3. Meats (pork, beef, turkey, chicken)
4. Oats, wheat, rye should not be included in a diet to prevent arthritis
5. Eggs should be excluded from a diet to  prevent arthritis
6. Citrus fruits
7. Potatoes
8. Tomatoes should be avoided in a diet to  prevent arthritis
9. Nuts
10. Coffee should be avoided in a diet to prevent arthritis

• Avoid “fast food.” In a diet to prevent arthritis, these foods could be replaced with fresh vegetables and fruit.
• If you are eating a diet to prevent arthritis, avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats: this includes all packaged pastries, pies and cakes, pre-cooked meals and foods fried in oil that is re-used several time.

Foods To Avoid

“Safe” foods for arthritis to include in your diet to prevent the condition that has never been associated with painful symptoms include: 

• Dried or cooked fruits: This includes pears, cranberries, prunes, and cherries. It does not include bananas, tomatoes, peaches or citrus fruits.
• Cooked yellow, green and orange vegetables: lettuce, collards, chard, broccoli, asparagus, artichokes, string beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, winter or summer squash. Include plenty of these in your diet to prevent arthritis.
• If you are eating a diet to prevent arthritis, include brown rice in your menu.
• Water: Carbonated or plain water. Other beverages can be triggers, even herbal teas should be omitted from a diet to prevent arthritis.
• Condiments: Spices including curry, rosemary, turmeric, and ginger may have anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent to include in a diet to prevent arthritis. Vanilla, maple syrup and salt in moderate amounts are generally tolerated well.
• The following all have omega-3 fatty acids: Grapeseed, olive, canola and flax oils, walnuts and walnut oil and pumpkin seeds. Also cold water fish like herring, sardines, salmon, and mackerel. Your EPA and DHA intake should be at least 1 gram daily if you are consuming a diet to prevent arthritis.
• Try to consume a varied diet to prevent arthritis and one that consists of mostly fresh foods. Avoid processed foods as much as possible.