Anti-Inflammatory Foods

There are many foods that cause arthritis pain mostly processed foods and those high in sugar.

Here are some suggestions I've found on various web sites to control pain associated with inflamed joints.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

Cut down on fried and processed foods and prepared frozen meals

Don’t cook meat at high temperatures

Reduce sugar intake: Cut out candy, processed foods, white flour baked goods and soda

Reduce/cut out dairy (the type of protein they contain can irritate joints)

Reduce/cut out alcohol (can lead to gout)

Avoid preservatives and additives

Reduce salt intake

Replace omega-6 (corn oil) fatty acids with omega-3

Reduce red meat consumption and opt for grass fed meat

What to eat:

Protein: Spinach, nut butters (not peanut), tofu, beans, lentils and quinoa

Omega 3: Olive oil, nuts, flax seeds, pumpkins seeds

Salmon, snapper, tuna, cod, halibut bass

Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts

Get antioxidants from fruit: Apples, blueberries, cherries, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries

Add spices: Chili pepper, cumin, turmeric (turmeric tea reduces inflammation)

Chocolate with 70 percent pure cocoa

Green tea
Tart cherry juice

Vegetables: Spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage (colorful vegetables have the most antioxidants)

Whole grains

For more information go to the Arthritis Foundation site

Note: Great Lakes Gelatin purports to repair collagen loss and cartilage damage and I've been using that for a while along with reducing sugar and processed food and trying to stick to suggestions on the Arthritis.org site

Always check with your doctor before making diet or exercise changes - some foods may affect medications you are taking.