Arthritis Diet Plan, Menu

Arthritis is a very common condition, which affects the joints in a person, leading to severe pain and stiffness, which could also limit a person’s movements. Hence, people suffering from arthritis could find it difficult to perform their day to day tasks, because of the amount of pain and stiffness experienced. There are several different types of arthritis, which can be broadly divided into two categories: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Most people find it essential to consult a doctor and undergo treatment, in order to increase range and motion in their joints and limbs. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are several ways in which this condition can be controlled.

One of the most important parts of the treatment includes an effective arthritis diet plan.

Unfortunately there are several contradictory reports about arthritis diet food which are good and which ones should be avoided. There are several health experts who claim that a Mediterranean diet, which is very high in fresh fruit and vegetables, is an excellent arthritis diet cure. People suffering from arthritis should follow a diet which comprises of corn, bell pepper, greens, onions, beets, plums, raisins and berries. One of the main advantages of the Mediterranean diet is that it is low in unhealthy fat, but contains a high amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fat and other essential nutrients. In fact, some of the herbs that are commonly used in Mediterranean cooking like rosemary, oregano, sage and sweet bay are perfect to enhance the taste of arthritis diet recipes, so that salt and unhealthy spices can be reduced in them.

Incorporating healthy arthritis diet recipes into a regular eating plan can help to control the painful symptoms of this condition on a long term basis. However, all patients should ensure that the arthritis diet plan is more like a lifestyle change, rather than a temporary fad diet. Since there is a wide variety of food that people can choose from, it makes it easier for them to stay motivated and follow the diet for a longer period of time. A healthy arthritis diet plan can help in the treatment of both, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Given below is an example of a Mediterranean arthritis diet menu:

Breakfast: 1 slice of toast with a few drops of olive oil, a cup of strawberries, with almonds sprinkled and a cup of yogurt
Morning snack: A handful of nuts or seeds
Lunch: Baked salmon (2 ounces), with sweet baked potato, a cup of zucchini and some cantaloupe
Afternoon snack: ½ cup of apples
Dinner: 2 ounces cooked tuna steak, half a cup of cooked brown rice and a cup of blueberries

Many people consult their doctors for benefits of arthritis diet and supplements. Before making any dietary changes or even before adding any supplements to a diet, it is important to get a doctors approval and check for daily recommended doses. This is all especially important for people suffering from other preexisting medical conditions

Arthritis Foods to Eat, Avoid

People suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis are usually advised to follow a special diet, which contains high amount of arthritis foods that help. Some of the most healthy arthritis foods to eat include:

Fresh fruits, especially pineapples, cherries, apples, pears, oranges, peaches, kiwi fruit, berries and raisins
Fresh vegetables such as squash, zucchini, carrots, beets and peppers
Whole grains and cereals
Unsalted nuts and seeds
Oily fish, which includes sardines, tuna and salmon
Healthy herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, rosemary, sage and oregano

Many health experts refer to these foods as arthritis foods to avoid inflammation in the joints. At the same time, there are a few types of arthritis foods to avoid, as some health experts claim that they can worsen the arthritis symptoms. Given below are some of the most widely recommended arthritis foods to stay away from:

Aerated beverages
Alcohol
Baked food, containing refined white flour
Caffeine
Eggplant
Fatty meat, like red meat
Foods that are high in sugar
Fried food, processed food and junk food
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Whole fat milk and dairy products

There may be several other arthritis foods not to eat, based on the severity of the condition, as well as the patient’s overall health.

Arthritis Juice

The juice diet or the juice fast is becoming very popular with people all over the world, who decide to follow a diet for various purposes. Several health experts advise patients to follow arthritis juice therapy, as a part of the treatment plan. Arthritis juice treatment helps both the types of arthritis, osteoarthritis, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. However, all patients should remember that not just any juice is good for them and can be regarded as an arthritis juice cure. Commercially packaged juices, which are high in preservatives and perhaps even sugar, should be completely eliminated from an arthritis juice fast. Instead, patients who are following the arthritis juice fast should make sure that they prepare fresh juice at home, using highly nutritious ingredients, so that their bodies are not deprived of any nutrients. Arthritis sufferers should also refrain from consuming diet coke and other sodas. Fortunately, an arthritis juice diet not only includes fresh fruit juice, but can also include fresh vegetable juice or even a combination of both, fruits and vegetables.

Most health experts state that it is best to have black cherry juice for arthritis. Two glasses of this juice should be consumed on a daily basis, for the entire period during which the patient is undergoing treatment. Once the arthritis pain subsides, the patient can discontinue drinking black cherry juice.

There are several different arthritis juice recipes easily available through various resources. Some of the most commonly recommended arthritis juice recipes include:

Radish and garlic juice
Carrot, beetroot and cucumber juice
Celery, cabbage and carrot juice, with a little bit of parsley
Plain celery juice, with just a dash of lime

There are many other arthritis juice benefits, apart from controlling pain and stiffness in the joints. Following a juice diet also helps in cleansing and detoxifying the body, as it gets rid of all the impurities and waste material that has accumulated in the bloodstream and the digestive tract. However, several patients have been known to experience adverse reactions to the arthritis juice fast, which is why it is important to check with a doctor, before following this diet plan.

Submitted on January 16, 2014