While the use of food as medicine is still relatively new in the Western world, it is common knowledge that certain foods should be avoided if you’re struggling with osteoarthritis. A painful and irreversible condition, osteoarthritis tends to be aggravated by foods that increase the inflammation in our bodies. It makes sense, really, considering that it is an
inflammatory condition. If your painful knees have been keeping you up at night, it’s time to look beyond what the doctor is prescribing. Here is a handful of the foods you should try your very best to steer clear of so that you can enjoy a sound and pain-free night for once.
#1 Sugar
Let’s start with the most obvious one first; of everything that causes inflammation in the body, refined sugar is perhaps the number one culprit. This doesn’t mean that you have to go all-out and put yourself on a strict no-sugar diet, though, even if this certainly would help to reduce the pain as well. Try to find other types of sweeteners instead so that you don’t feel deprived while trying to avoid sugar. Honey, for example, stevia, and maple syrup is just as delicious as the regular sugar you usually use and can be enjoyed a bit more safely. That way, you’re able to please your sweet tooth while also doing your joints a huge favour.
#2 White flour
White flour may be found in almost everything we consume so this one is perhaps a bit more difficult to avoid. It’s still a good idea to give it a shot, though, as refined wheat such as pasta, white bread, and cereal may cause your condition to flare up and become painful again. As soon as you get used to it, avoiding white flour isn’t that hard – just choose whole grain instead. It’s much better for your digestion as well, by the way, and you’ll be able to enjoy much more fibre and the kind of stable blood sugar that white flour simply can’t provide. Remember to always talk to your doctor about any changes you may be making and continue to use your medications. You can have a look at these Flexiseq Multipacks, by the way, to ease the pain a bit more.
#3 Dairy
It may seem as if you won’t be able to enjoy yourself at all after reading this list, but try to keep in mind that the goal is to limit the intake of these foods rather than eliminating them altogether. While they may cause your osteoarthritis to flare up, you’re not really allergic to them and can easily enjoy some cheese on top of white bread and wash it down with some milk and cookies afterwards – but try not to do it every day.
With that being said, dairy is also one of those foods you should reduce your intake of if you’d like your joints to leave you alone for once. It is only believed to cause a flare-up in some people, though, so if you’ve been enjoying dairy without any problems in the past, there’s no reason for you not to continue with this.
If you have been noticing some problems after eating dairy, you could try to substitute it for almond milk and flax milk instead. You don’t have to cut out all dairy, though, but give the nut milk a shot for a while and see if it doesn’t help a bit on minimising the flare-ups.
#4 Salt
Finally, eating too much salt isn’t really good for anyone and certainly not those with osteoarthritis. The problem is, of course, that an excessive intake of salt will cause your cells to retain water which again causes your joints to swell up.
You still need sodium, though, and making sure that you’re getting your salt intake right could be something to talk about with your doctor during that next visit. He or she will be able to guide you towards the right amount so that you avoid the problems associated with not getting enough salt as well; it seems to be a fine balancing act.
Other than these four foods, it’s also a good idea to limit your intake of fried foods, omega-6 fatty acid and takeaway, in general. Foods that are high in saturated fats, salt, and omega 6-fatty acids will most definitely make the condition worse so choose those that are rich in omega 3 instead such as salmon and almonds.
It may not make your condition go away but it will certainly make it a lot easier to sleep at night. Have a chat with your doctor about it, first of all, and he or she will be able to help you a bit along the way.
