Diet and exercise are an important part of overall health. In many diseases, your diet can affect the frequency and severity of your symptoms.

There are many foods that can trigger the onset of arthritis symptoms. Extra weight can also increase the onset of arthritis symptoms. If you suffer from arthritis, it is important that you maintain a healthy weight in order to decrease the onset of symptoms. If you are overweight, this will cause extra pressure on joints such as the spine, hips, and knees – the main joints that support your body.

In order to manage your arthritis, it is essential to maintain a healthy diet. Studies have shown that the best arthritis diet for most patients is one that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables should be an important part of your arthritis diet because of the vitamin content. As with many illnesses, there are also foods that can trigger arthritis symptoms and should be avoided.

Foods to Avoid

The following foods can trigger the onset of symptoms and should be eliminated from your arthritis diet – or used as little as possible:

• Milk and dairy products

• Flour

• Sugar

• Red meat

• Butter and margarine

• Chocolate

• Sugar

• Foods containing sugar – such as syrup, honey, and jelly

• Caffeine

• White potatoes

• Red peppers

• Salt – use as little as possible

• Wheat flour

• Bran

Foods that are beneficial

As well as foods that may trigger symptoms, there are also foods that are beneficial to your arthritis diet. These foods can help to decrease the onset of arthritis symptoms:

• Apples – great inflammatory fruit

• Blackberries

• Kiwi fruit

• Peaches

• Mango

• Cantaloupe

• Strawberries

• Other fruits high in vitamin C

• Sardines

• Herring

• Salmon

• Mackerel

• Tuna

• Trout

• Other oily fishes that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Spinach

• Brussels sprouts

• Sweet potatoes

• Carrots

• Collard greens

• Squash

• Other vegetables that are high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C

• Sunflower seeds

• Linseeds

• Pumpkin seeds

• Walnuts

• Brazil nuts

• Almonds

• Brown rice

• Whole wheat bread

• Chick peas

• Lentils

• Ginger

• Garlic

• Turmeric

A Balanced Diet

It is necessary to maintain a healthy, balanced arthritis diet for your overall health and to decrease the symptoms of arthritis. Many foods can trigger the inflammation associated with arthritis – and these foods should be avoided as often as possible. With any diet, portion size is one of the key ingredients to a successful diet. Some foods on the avoid list can be consumed in small quantities without adverse effects. It is important that you eat a variety of foods – fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats.

Different types of foods have different nutritional values and a combination is important in order to obtain the greatest benefits from these foods. Some things can be successfully consumed in moderation, such as alcohol, sodium, and sugar. As with any diet, you should avoid too much fat and cholesterol. Be sure your arthritis diet includes foods that will help with your overall health by providing the necessary vitamins and that your diet will help you to maintain a healthy weight. Pay attention to portion sizes and avoid overeating, which can cause you to feel less energetic and can cause you to gain extra weight, which will increase the pressure on the joints.

Exercise

Along with a healthy arthritis diet, a regular exercise regimen is essential for your overall health. Exercise can help to keep the joints from stiffening and can decrease the onset of stiffness and inflammation associated with arthritis. It is important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise – not only for your overall health, but to help in the management of your arthritis symptoms.