7 Foods Arthritis Patients Must Avoid - Rocket City Chiropractic (2024)

7 Foods Arthritis Patients Must Avoid - Rocket City Chiropractic (1)

7 Foods Arthritis Patients Must Avoid

Joint pain. Stiffness. Swelling. If you have rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, you’re likely pretty familiar with these uncomfortable and sometimes constant symptoms. In fact, an astonishing 350 million people worldwide suffer from arthritis, including children. If you’re doing your best to manage your symptoms and decrease sensitivity without much luck, you’re not alone.

However, even with arthritis, you should be able to live life without pain holding you back. Along with a sound plan from your doctor, many arthritis flare-ups can be prevented from paying attention to your diet, in particular, what not to eat. Cutting–or at the least limiting–consumption of specific foods could help relieve some of those nagging arthritis symptoms.

Don’t believe us? Try it and see for yourself.

Fried Food. It probably comes as no surprise that fried food doesn’t rank very high on the nutritional value scale. While it might taste good, most fried foods are heavily processed and carry a high amount of salt and artificial preservatives, which can trigger inflammation and arthritis symptoms. Not to mention, the pronounced amount of saturated fat that is present in fried foods can be a fast track to unnecessary weight gain, placing undue stress on your joints and leading to degeneration, ultimately making your arthritis situation worse.

Processed Sugars. Soda. Candy. Cereal. Sports drinks. Condiments. If you start paying closer attention to the nutritional labels on the foods you’re eating, it’s shocking to learn how often added sugar manages to sneak into the ingredient list. Processed sugar has been shown to increase pain, overheating, redness, and swelling in people who are living with arthritis. As your body’s digestive system works to process these sugars, it pulls from vital stores of vitamins, effectively depleting you of the necessary nutrition to manage your arthritis symptoms properly.

Dairy. Wait– dairy is supposed to help with bone strength, right? Yes, dairy is rich in calcium, but some studies have shown that dairy actually causes tissue irritation within your joints. This one is worth experimenting with just a bit; try cutting it out to see if you notice a difference as everyone has varying reactions.

Alcohol. If you’re on medication for your arthritis, you should be especially wary of the amount of alcohol you consume. Many medications do not mix well with alcohol and can put your health at further risk. Be sure to research the medications that your doctor prescribes and understand the best practices.

Besides the potential medication interference, the uric acid in alcohol has been found to be inflammatory for arthritis patients. Uric acid crystals gather and build up within joints, leading to further pain and discomfort.

Tobacco. Though not a food, ingestion of tobacco has also been found to be highly inflammatory for arthritis sufferers. Similar to alcohol, tobacco has been linked to interference with some arthritis medication. Be in the know– educate yourself on your medication regime to ensure you’re not limiting the effects of your pain medications.

Salt. When the body retains excess sodium, it worsens inflammation. Canned and processed foods almost always carry very high amounts of sodium. Our advice? Get in the habit of reading the nutritional labels to understand just how much salt you’re about to ingest. Better yet, avoid the processed junk and cook for yourself! When you make your own food, you’re able to control the amount of salt that goes into your meals.

Oil. Let’s be clear: not all oils are bad for you! However, there are certain oils that have been shown to increase inflammation, namely: corn, sunflower, soy, and vegetable oil. You don’t have to cut these out completely, but restricting their use is advised to decrease joint pain. Instead of those oils, try using canola, flaxseed, or grapeseed oil. The essential acids and fats in these omega-3 oils have been shown to actually aid in arthritis symptom relief.

Holistic Care For Arthritis Relief

Another holistic approach to managing arthritis pain is the incorporation of chiropractic care and massage therapy. Adjustments of the spine and joints can help realign your body to keep your nervous and immune systems functioning properly, while also relieving joint pain. There are many specific adjustments that Pain Solutions can utilize to customize care for your specific symptoms and main complaints.

If you’re looking for ways to continually decrease your discomfort from arthritis without adding more medication, chiropractic and massage therapy is a great path to explore. During your initial evaluation, we’ll go over your symptom history in detail and construct a treatment plan that you’re completely comfortable with before moving forward. Schedule an appointment online or call 256-721-9696.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person advice or care from a medical professional.

7 Foods Arthritis Patients Must Avoid - Rocket City Chiropractic (2024)

FAQs

What are the 10 foods that trigger arthritis? ›

There are 12 key beverages and foods to avoid when you have arthritis, including:
  • Red meat.
  • High-fat dairy.
  • Foods high in omega-6s.
  • Salt.
  • Sugary foods and drinks.
  • Fried foods.
  • Canned foods.
  • Alcohol.

What foods should you stop eating for arthritis? ›

Research suggests avoiding certain foods and beverages, including highly processed foods, red meat, fried foods, alcohol, and anything with added sugars. Keep in mind that lifestyle factors like your activity level, body weight, and smoking status are also vital to managing arthritis.

What is the number one protein to avoid for arthritis? ›

Red meat. Research shows that people who regularly consume red and processed meats have higher levels of inflammation than those who don't. Consuming red meat may increase your levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine, which can all cause inflammation.

Are eggs bad for arthritis? ›

Aside from being a great source of protein, eggs are a natural source of vitamin D and some are fortified with omega-3's. Both omega-3's and vitamin D have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Consuming two eggs per week as part of a well-balanced diet is recommended for most adults.

What drink kills inflammation? ›

Ginger contains a compound called gingerol which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. This makes ginger tea the ideal drink for anyone suffering from chronic inflammation. Whilst plain ginger tea is a popular option, you could also opt for lemon and ginger or a spiced ginger tea if you like your drinks a little sweeter.

Is oatmeal bad for arthritis? ›

Go With the Grain

Whole grains lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. CRP is a marker of inflammation associated with heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Foods like oatmeal, brown rice and whole-grain cereals are excellent sources of whole grains.

What are the 10 worst inflammatory foods? ›

What Are the 10 Worst Foods for Inflammation According to Experts...
  • 03 of 10. Soda and Other Sugar-Sweetened Beverages. ...
  • 04 of 10. Trans Fats. ...
  • 05 of 10. Refined Carbohydrates. ...
  • 06 of 10. Red Meat. ...
  • 07 of 10. Processed Meats. ...
  • 08 of 10. French Fries and Other Deep-Fried Foods. ...
  • 09 of 10. Ultra-Processed Foods. ...
  • 10 of 10. Alcohol.
May 5, 2024

Is banana good for arthritis? ›

Bananas are high in magnesium, which helps strengthen bones and alleviate arthritis symptoms. Dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, contain iron that helps fight anemia resulting from anti-inflammatory medications.

Is cheese bad for arthritis? ›

Cheese and High-fat Dairy Are Big Inflammation Triggers

Cutting down on these food or eliminating them all together is your best bet, but you can also make some easy changes to cut down on eating food that can cause inflammation.

What foods flush out inflammation? ›

An anti-inflammatory diet should include these foods:
  • tomatoes.
  • olive oil.
  • green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards.
  • nuts like almonds and walnuts.
  • fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.
  • fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.
Mar 26, 2024

What calms down arthritis? ›

Use hot and cold therapies like a heating pad or ice pack for soothing relief. Consider treatments like acupuncture or massage to ease symptoms. Over-the-counter medicine can help relieve arthritis symptoms. TYLENOL® 8 HR Arthritis Pain Caplets provide fast-acting, temporary relief of minor pain of arthritis.

What are 5 vegetables to avoid for arthritis? ›

Some people with arthritis swear that nightshade vegetables — such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers — cause their arthritis to flare. While there aren't any studies to support a link between arthritis pain and most nightshades, tomatoes may be an exception. That's because they raise levels of uric acid.

What is the number one food that causes joint pain? ›

Red meat, such as burgers and steaks. Processed meats like hot dogs, brats and other sausages. Refined carbohydrates like the ones you find in breads and pastries. Dairy products, because for many people, casein, a protein common in milk, ice cream and cheese, has been shown to irritate the tissue around joints.

What is the number one inflammatory food? ›

In particular, experts recommend avoiding these inflammatory foods: Red meat, such as steak and hamburgers. Processed meat, such as bologna, bacon, sausage and lunchmeat. Commercial baked goods such as snack cakes, pies, cookies and brownies.

What not to drink with arthritis? ›

Habit #1: Avoid soda, diet sodas, sweet tea, and artificial sweeteners. Drink only water, unsweetened tea, and black coffee.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6081

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.