Best Foods to Eat for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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1. Beans. They are loaded with fiber, protein, folic acid, and essential minerals which some can be your immune system booster. It’s thought that beans may help lower C-reactive protein level in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
2. Opt for healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil and safflower oils. They are not only packed with heart-healthy fats, but also provide anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties.
3. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios and pine nuts are also good for people with RA. They are beneficial to keep your weight off, and heart healthy. They have vitamin E, protein, calcium, fiber, and immune-boosting ALA (alpha linolenic acid)!

How about Mediterranean diet?

Mediterranean diet is a balanced diet that mainly focuses on high in fiber, high in healthy fats, and other essential nutrients – learn more in this article!

A Swedish research in 2003 found that Mediterranean diet improved vitality and physical functioning in people with RA. The effect in long term is not fully known, but most experts agree that including healthy menus of Mediterranean diet is worth a try!

And while there are some good foods to eat for RA, it’s also not bad idea to pay attention on bad foods you need to restrict. Some of them are as follows:

1. Fried and processed foods. One study at the Mount Sinai School and Medicine found that cutting back on the consumption of those foods reduced inflammation in some people with RA.
2. Refined carbohydrates and sugars. AGE (An advanced glycation end product) is a toxin that forms when foods are fried, grilled, pasteurized, or heated. It is associated with inflammation, though not always. Diet high in sugar can cause an increase in AGEs!
3. Salt and preservatives. They can promote shelf lives. But if you eat them too much, this may result in inflammation of your joints.
4. Tobacco and alcohol. It’s undeniable that tobacco smoke and heavy drinking is linked to a number of health risks, including some that may cause bad effects on your joints.
5. Dairy products. Some types of protein in dairy products may worsen arthritis pain. If you have RA, it’s much better to fuel up on protein sources from vegetables such as soybeans, nut butters, lentils, beans, and spinach.

Restricting particular foods that seem to make your RA symptoms worse is worth a try! But if you want to exclude large numbers of foods or whole food groups, it’s much better to talk with your doctor first!