- What to Eat in Arthritis and Arthrosis
- Foods to Avoid
- Arthritis treatment menu option
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet
- Gouty Arthritis Diet
The diet for any type of arthritis and for osteoarthritis should be rich in foods that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as fish, nuts and foods rich in vitamin C, for example. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that being overweight can lead to overload in some joints and, therefore, it is important to control weight through healthy eating so that there is not only improvement in symptoms, but also progression is prevented disease.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are chronic inflammatory diseases that can cause pain in various joints of the body, and can appear in people of any age, despite being more common in people of older age. These changes, however, have no cure, only symptom control and prevention of complications through treatment with medications prescribed by the doctor, changes in eating habits and physical activity.
What to Eat in Arthritis and Arthrosis
Foods that help improve symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis are those that have anti-inflammatory properties, the main ones being:
- Foods rich in omega 3, as they have anti-inflammatory properties, such as tuna, sardines, trout, tilapia, herring, anchovies, cod, chia and flaxseed seeds, cashews, Brazil nuts, almonds and walnuts; Garlic and onion, as they have a sulfur compound called allicin, which guarantees them anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; Citrus fruits, such as orange, pineapple and acerola, due to the presence of vitamin C, which is necessary for the production of collagen; Foods rich in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains, as they help to reduce inflammation and maintain the health of the intestinal microbiota; Red fruits, such as pomegranate, watermelon, cherry, raspberry, strawberries and guava, as they have anthocyanins, which are antioxidant compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties; Foods rich in selenium such as egg, French bread and Brazil nuts, since selenium is a mineral with a high antioxidant and immunomodulatory power, helping to strengthen the immune system.
In addition, there are studies that indicate that both arthritis and osteoarthritis are more severe when the person has low levels of vitamin D. It is also important that the person is frequently exposed to the sun, and includes foods rich in that daily diet. vitamin, such as fortified milk, eggs and fatty fish. Know other anti-inflammatory foods.
In some cases, the doctor or nutritionist may consider supplementing with omega 3, zinc, selenium, vitamin D and calcium, if necessary. In addition, the use of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are substances that form cartilage and whose supplementation could help to improve joint damage caused by arthritis, may also be indicated.
Foods to Avoid
It is important to avoid foods that are pro-inflammatory, as is the case with processed foods, fried foods, fast foods and foods high in sugar and fats.
Arthritis treatment menu option
The following table shows an example of a 3-day menu with anti-inflammatory properties for the treatment of arthritis:
| Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Breakfast | 4 whole toast with low fat cottage cheese + 1 glass of natural orange juice | Spinach omelet + 1 glass of skim milk | 2 slices of wholemeal bread with ricotta cheese + 1 glass of unsweetened strawberry juice |
| Morning snack | 1 cup of whole strawberries | 1 orange + 1 handful of dried fruits | 1 jar of gelatin |
| Lunch dinner |
1 salmon steak + 2 medium potatoes + lettuce, tomato and onion salad seasoned with 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 medium tangerine as dessert |
Grilled chicken breast + 4 tablespoons of rice + broccoli salad with carrots seasoned with 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 2 slices of pineapple as dessert |
Tuna prepared with tomato sauce and herbs (parsley, basil and garlic) + zucchini, eggplant and cooked carrot salad seasoned with 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 slice of watermelon as dessert |
| Afternoon snack | 1 plain yogurt with 1 tablespoon chia + 1/2 banana cut into slices | 1 low-fat yogurt with 1 tablespoon oats + 1/2 cup red fruits | 200 mL of papaya smoothie with plain yogurt and 1 Brazil nut or 6 almonds |
The quantities included in the menu vary according to age, gender, physical activity and if you have any associated disease or not, and it is necessary for that person to consult a nutritionist to carry out a complete assessment and prepare a nutritional plan. suited to both needs.
A good diet characterized by being an anti-inflammatory diet and that can be implemented in the case of arthritis and osteoarthritis is the Mediterranean diet, as it includes fresh seasonal foods, olive oil, seeds, nuts, beans, fruits and vegetables.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet
In the diet for rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to the consumption of foods with omega-3, it is also important to consume foods that strengthen the immune system and have antioxidants, being rich in vitamins A, C, E and selenium, such as:
- Fruits, especially orange, acerola, lemon, guava, papaya and pineapple; Vegetables and greens, mainly cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, carrots; Skim milk and derivatives and white cheeses, such as ricotta and cottage cheese.
The patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis must also maintain the appropriate weight, as being overweight can cause an overload in the joints, worsening the pain. In addition, excess fat favors increased inflammation in the body, further aggravating the disease.
Check out how to make this amazing home remedy for rheumatoid arthritis
Gouty Arthritis Diet
In gouty arthritis, inflammation in the joint is caused by the accumulation of uric acid. The diet for this type of arthritis should include foods with anti-inflammatory properties, however it is important to avoid the consumption of foods that can increase the concentration of circulating uric acid, such as red meat, liver, heart and alcoholic beverages.
Learn more about gout feeding.
