Arthritis: busting the diet myths

Rumour has it certain foods should be avoided if you have arthritis. We set the record straight…

WHEN YOU’VE BEEN DIAGNOSED with arthritis, it’s important not to cut out foods from your diet without good reason. ‘Too many people cut out whole food groups without finding substitutes and thereby run the risk of other health problems down the line,’ says HFG expert and GP Dr Dawn Harper. Common ingredients that come under fire include:

Dairy, veg and ‘nightshade foods’

‘People with arthritis are often advised to avoid foods that might aggravate inflammation, such as dairy products and vegetables from the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergines),’ says HFG nutrition consultant Juliette Kellow. ‘But there’s little scientific evidence to support this. If anything, people with arthritis should eat dairy more regularly to ensure a good intake of calcium and other bone health nutrients.’

Acidic foods

Similarly, it’s often recommended that sufferers avoid acidic foods, such as lemons, limes and other citrus fruit – but again, there’s no proof that this will help to ease arthritis symptoms. ‘It’s not a good idea to avoid any fruit or vegetable unnecessarily, as they provide such a spectrum of vitamins and minerals for general good health,’ explains Juliette. ‘Plus these fruits are low in calories and fat, so they’re useful for helping us control our weight.’

Foods containing oxalic acid

Despite the myth, rhubarb, spinach, asparagus, parsley and other foods containing oxalic acid will not aggravate arthritis symptoms.

But if you think certain foods are making your arthritis worse, keep a food and symptoms diary and, if a pattern emerges, ask to be referred to a registered dietitian. They will help to devise a balanced diet plan that excludes any aggravating foods.

If anything, people with arthritis should eat dairy more regularly

شارك الموضوع

إقرأ أيضًا