Arthritis is a painful condition that affects over 20 million people in the United States alone. It can be debilitating, but you can take steps to manage it. One way is to change your diet and avoid certain foods and beverages that may aggravate arthritis symptoms or trigger flare-ups. You don’t have to give up all of these items completely, but try limiting them to once per week or less if possible.Â
Soda And Sugary Drinks
Sugar can be rough on an arthritic body, including natural sugars. Even raw honey may impact arthritis symptoms. Not only that, soda contains phosphorus, which can take the place of calcium in your bones and lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis. Limit your soda intake and other sugary drinks to once a week or less. Reduce your overall sugar intake to 9 teaspoons per day. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are high in unhealthy fats and calories. They can also be hard on your digestive system, which is already strained when you have arthritis. Try to avoid frying your food, or at least do so sparingly. Instead, bake, roast, or broil your food. These cooking methods are healthier and won’t aggravate your arthritis symptoms. Fried foods are also a common trigger for flare-ups, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Caffeine
Research has shown that ingesting caffeine may make arthritis symptoms worse. Caffeine can also trigger those who have inflammatory types of arthritis or those who suffer from flare-ups. If you currently drink caffeinated beverages, try to wean yourself off them gradually so as not to experience withdrawal symptoms at the same time you’re trying to manage your arthritis symptoms. If you can’t avoid drinking caffeinated beverages, try to limit your intake to no more than two cups of coffee or tea per day. You may also want to experiment with caffeine-free beverages, such as herbal teas and hot cocoa.
Nuts And Peanuts
Many nuts are high in omega-6 fatty acid, which has been associated with worsening arthritis symptoms. Some doctors recommend eliminating nuts from your diet if you have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. If that’s not practical for you, try limiting your intake to no more than a handful per week. Peanuts are a type of nut, so avoid these as well. Nuts can also be very high in calories, so be aware of how many nuts you are eating even if you are not trying to lose weight.