Arthritis is defined as inflammation of joints and is characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness and limited mobility. There several types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. You are at an increased risk for developing arthritic conditions if you are overweight, have joint injuries or infections. According to PudMed Health, there are 37 million Americans that are affected by arthritis.
Guidelines
A healthy diet should be followed by those with arthritis. The University of Washington Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine recommend following basic guidelines for a healthy diet. Those guidelines include eating a variety of foods, maintaining an ideal weight and limiting fats, cholesterol, sugar and sodium. You should also limit alcohol. It is recommended that women have no more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day, and men no more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day.
Recommended Foods
The American Dietetic Association recommends choosing foods high in calcium to protect your bones. Choose low-fat or non-fat milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, spinach, kale, broccoli, soy milk or orange fortified with calcium. Choose foods that are low in saturated and trans fats. Incorporate healthy fats into your diet by eating oily fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds. In "Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiolgy," Nelms and her colleagues suggest that higher intake of fruits, vegetables and vitamin C are correlated with a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that are thought to aggravate arthritis include full-fat dairy products, fatty and red meats. Avoid red meats, processed meats, sausage, bacon and high-fat dairy products. Avoid trans fats by limiting processed foods including pastries, cakes, cookies and doughnuts. Prepare your foods with little to no added fats such as butter and cream. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas and sweet tea.
Weight Control
Overweight and obesity increase the risk of several arthritic conditions. If you have arthritis and are overweight or obese, you should modify your diet in order to lose weight. Eliminating 500 calories from your diet daily will result in a weight loss of one pound per week. Your diet restriction will be even less if you can incorporate physical activity. Speak with a doctor before exercising. Speak with a dietitian to develop a weight loss eating plan that is right for you.
References
- "Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology"; Marcia Nelms, et al.; 2007.
- "The American Dietetic Association's Nutrition Care Manual;" Rheumatoid Arthritis Nutrition Therapy; 2009.
- PubMed Health; Arthritis; 2010.
- Every Diet; Arthritis Diet.
