Rheumatoid Arthritis DietAs an autoimmune disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis plays dirty tricks on the body systems. Desperate for energy to cope with the fatigue and pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis patients need to eat well but during these painful periods they lose their appetite. Trying to find the right diet as part of a treatment program for Rheumatoid Arthritis is complex. A balanced diet with adequate fruits, vegetables and high quality proteins is useful for building up the body. Some foods are connected with increased inflammation for certain patients. Chocolate, red meats, alcohol, citrus fruits and carbonated drinks are frequently mentioned as problem foods for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. A full spectrum allergy test is useful to identify any specific foods or food groups that are causing food allergies. With a compromised immune system, food allergies deal a heavy blow to people who have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dairy products, corn and whey are the most common food allergens associated with symptom increase. Reducing saturated fats and avoiding trans fats is also advised for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Reducing alcohol intake or avoiding it totally depends on the medications taken. Alcohol and methotrexate do not mix. Even taking NASIDs or Aspirin, a patient needs to think twice about drinking alcohol. Omega-3 fatty acids is naturally occurring in fish such as mackerel, trout, albacore tuna, sardines and salmon. These fish are a low fat protein. What makes Omega-3 fatty acids so great in a Rheumatoid Arthritis diet is that they restrict the white blood cells from spinning out more of the substances that cause inflammation. Another source of Omega-3 fatty acids is in nutritional supplements. A vegetarian diet is gaining popularity for Rheumatoid Arthritis because it is low in saturated fats, increases the variety of fruits and vegetables, and high in antioxidants. Vegetarian diets also use tofu or soy protein in the way other diets depend on meats. Tofu is versatile in cooking, great protein source and low calorie. Some people with Rheumatoid Arthritis get symptom flare-ups after eating tomatoes, peppers or potatoes. If that occurs, try an elimination test. Don't eat any of the suspected foods for at least two weeks. Every fourth day, add one food to the diet. If symptoms return, then that food is the likely culprit. While some foods are better or worse for Rheumatoid Arthritis, there is no miracle diet on the scene. But there are plenty of questionable diet claims. Pass on any so-called Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet that is built around a narrow portion of the Food Pyramid or eliminates entire food groups in the Food Pyramid. And if the diet plan only has personal stories without credible research studies, then it's probably nothing more than hype. The banner headlines sound fantastic, but its only empty promises based on poor nutrition. A healthy diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis focuses on basic food groups, eliminating any food allergies or irritants, adding nutritional supplements as needed and providing enough calories to maintain proper weight. That's not a miracle diet, just a practical one. |