I promised to return to the topic of joint pain, namely to find out what proper nutrition is for people suffering from it. And so I came back. I thought that this time I would approach the topic a little differently than you are used to. Sometimes it is easier to tell people what not to do than what is recommended. That is why I am going to write about foods that should not be consumed by people with joint problems.
Let's start!
Sugar
Refined sugar should be avoided as it stimulates the release of inflammatory factors called cytokines. Avoid baked goods, candy, chocolate, and sodas.
Fast-digesting carbohydrates
Limit the consumption of potatoes, bread, rice, white flour products. In addition, excessive consumption of these foods leads to an increase in body weight and therefore stress on the joints.
Red meat and semi-finished meat products
This meat contains purine compounds and nitrates that can impair joint health.
Dairy products
People with arthritis or joint pain experience more severe symptoms when they eat dairy products and notice improvements when they quit them. It is best to refrain from eating the following foods: milk, yogurt, butter, margarine, cream, ice cream. The fact is that milk contains casein protein.
Corn oil
This type of oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids that are involved in the inflammatory response. It is recommended to replace corn oil with olive, flaxseed, pumpkin or peanut oil.
Beer
Beer is rich in purines, which are converted into uric acid. With an excess of uric acid in the body, its salts are deposited in the joints and cause gout. Also, excessive passion for beer leads to weight gain with all the negative consequences.
Salt
Supermarket foods contain excessive amounts of salt and other preservatives. Their use causes a violation of the water-salt balance, which affects the condition of the joints.
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate is a widely used additive to improve the taste and color of foods and may increase joint pain and inflammation. Try not to eat foods containing monosodium glutamate.
Citrus fruit
Some people who suffer from gout or arthritis notice improvements after cutting off citrus fruits, whether raw or cooked. Citrus fruits include: oranges, lemons. pomelo or grapefruit, tangerines, lime.
You should not give up 100% on the products from the list above.
The stress of not having enough sweet or familiar food is of no benefit to the patient. Occasionally you can afford a piece of chocolate or a sausage sandwich, as long as this is an exception, not a rule.
Along with the list of prohibited foods, it would be equally important for patients with joint problems to create some dietary guidelines that need to be followed. To help you in this regard, I can recommend a few:
- fried foods should be completely excluded from the diet; it is better to cook, bake, stew, or prepare food;
- you need to eat often, but in small portions;
- to reduce appetite, food should be served in small, shallow bowls;
- you need to eat slowly, because more saliva and gastric juice are released from thoroughly chewed food, which contributes to better digestion of food;
- in the process of eating, you should take short breaks, which will contribute to the early satiety, and this, in turn, will help prevent overeating;
- in the absence of a feeling of hunger, you do not need to snack;
- be sure to rinse your mouth after each meal;
- you do not need to go to bed or sit down after eating – you should give preference to active pastime.
A properly formulated diet is the key to the success of the treatment of joint diseases. Food for joint pain should be not only healthy, but also tasty. Therefore, you need to approach its preparation with imagination.
Be creative, eat healthy!