3 Easy Dietary Ways to Ease Joint Pain

Dietary changes really can help to ease arthritis pain, whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, by reducing inflammation in your body. You might not feel the benefits for 6 weeks or more but you may continue to improve for many months. So be patient!

Here are three good ways to get started.

1. Switch fats. Cut back on inflammation-promoting saturated fats by eating less meat and full-fat dairy products. Eliminate trans fats entirely by avoiding foods that list hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated fats on the label.  Eat lots of fatty fish such as wild salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and trout. Use olive oil as your main cooking oil. Use omega-3 eggs and spreads. Eat walnuts and freshly ground flaxseed.

2. Spice it up.  Ginger and tumeric (used alone or in curry) both have anti-inflammatory action and are wonderful seasonings.  Ginger is easy to use fresh, powdered or pickled. Tumeric makes great yellow rice. And if you like curry, experiment with different commercial curry pastes and powders, both Indian and Thai. You’re sure to find some you like.

3. Drink tea, not coffee. Having 4 or more cups of coffee a day increases your risk for arthritis and osteoporosis, which can lead to painful fractures. Wean yourself by substituting a refreshing cup of green tea or ginger tea.