Which Foods Should Arthritics Avoid?

The term arthritis refers to a group of conditions that cause inflammation in one or more of your joints. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national surveys conducted from 2007 to 2009 indicated that roughly 50 million American adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. In addition to medical treatments, such as medications and physical therapy, consuming a healthy diet that limits certain foods may help improve your symptoms.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates such as white breads and pastas, cereals and snack foods derive from plant-based foods. During food processing, much of the plant's nutritional content is removed, increasing its glycemic index, or the impact the food has on your blood sugar levels. High-glycemic foods can trigger and worsen arthritic pain and inflammation, according to "Pain-Free Arthritis: A 7-Step Plan for Feeling Better Again" by Harris H. McIlwain and Debra Fulghum Bruce. Avoiding refined carbohydrates, which are high on the glycemic index, may improve your symptoms. For best results, replace these carbohydrates with whole grains such as brown rice, wild rice and oats, fruit and vegetables.

Dairy Products

Dairy products, though rich sources of calcium and vitamin D, may worsen arthritis symptoms. People with rheumatoid arthritis tend to exhibit higher levels of antibodies -- substances your body releases when it recognizes a substance as harmful -- in response to consuming cow's milk than people without the disease, according to Arthritis Today. High-fat dairy products, such as whole milk, heavy cream and high-fat cheeses, contain saturated fat, which may trigger or worsen inflammation associated with arthritis. If you suspect a sensitivity or intolerance to dairy products, consume soy-based or other non-dairy alternatives or seafood for calcium. If you are tolerant of dairy, stick to non-fat and low-fat milk products most often.

Fatty Meats

Fatty meats, such as bacon, sausage, top sirloin and porterhouse steaks, organ meats and luncheon meats, contribute substantial amounts of saturated fat to your diet. The saturated fat and high-caloric content of fatty meats may lead to unhealthy weight gain, which adds undue strain on your joints. Switching from a Western-style, high-fat and meat-rich diet to a plant-based one, full of fruits, vegetables and sprouts, may help reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you decide to maintain meat into your diet, avoid fried meats and those prepared with butter or other high-fat ingredients, and remove visible fat and skin from red meat and poultry before cooking.

Nightshade Vegetables

Though vegetables provide valuable amounts of nutrients that protect your body from infections and disease and may also reduce inflammation, certain varieties worsen arthritis symptoms in some people. A small percentage of arthritis sufferers find that eliminating nightshade vegetables from their diets reduces pain and inflammation, according to McIlwain and Bruce. Vegetables in the nightshade family include tomatoes, eggplant, all types of peppers and white potatoes. If you are sensitive to these foods, you may also experience adverse effects after eating tomato products, including salsa, ketchup, marinara sauce, tomato paste and tomato juice.