Diet considerations for Psoriasis is a question that needs answering. It may be tough to keep a healthy diet because foods that are deemed healthy may cause flare ups in people with psoriasis. There are a lot of questions that need answering about the kinds of foods that may harm or actually help with managing the disease because nobody wants food triggers.
The basic idea around psoriasis diet considerations is to keep it healthy at all times. Although there is no specific diet to be followed by people managing psoriasis, following tips, tricks, and strategising your diet always helps.
Keep it healthy – A tricky but important lifestyle change
Dermatologists always recommend a healthy diet for people with psoriasis with lots of fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grain, and eggs. But switching to a healthy diet is a very big lifestyle change that not everyone can easily do since we are unaccustomed to following a strictly healthy diet.
Not everyone can follow a vegan, gluten-free diet because we are mostly hooked on to fast foods. We also have wild lifestyle habits like weekend binges and night-time snacking. Suddenly switching gears and going cold turkey is not an option.
Food and Drinks to Adopt or Avoid
There is no diet that will cure psoriatic disease. But there are many ways in which eating healthy food will reduce the severity of the symptoms and this is key to managing the disease. So, what are the food and diets to adopt or avoid to keep the flare ups at bay?
- Eggs contain Omega 3 fatty acids and since psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, having a diet loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids is an added benefit.
- Alcohol: Top on the list of food and drink that trigger psoriasis flares to act up is Alcohol. The biggest piece of advice in foods that can harm psoriasis is of course, regular consumption of alcohol. So, stop drinking because Alcohol opens up the blood vessels in skin which may cause Psoriasis flares to occur.
- Junk food is never ok with or without psoriasis.
- Red meat is always a potential trigger.
- Dairy products, Gluten, condiments, and Citrus can be potential triggers.
- Coffee: Although there was evidence to suggest that coffee is sometimes linked with increased psoriasis risk, there’s nothing concrete to state that coffee is bad. However, caffeine may trigger flares in some people so its best to avoid it.
- Nightshade plants: Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Tomatillos, and Tobacco, all members of the nightshade family unfortunately, are not very good with Psoriasis.
- Limit foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans-fat in your diet.
- Aim to eat less than 1500 mg of Sodium.
Diets that ease psoriasis symptoms
A balanced diet high in anti-inflammatory foods may ease symptoms of psoriasis. Lean proteins such as fish, tofu, and beans, healthy fats, food like nuts, berries and leafy greens, natural foods rich in polyphenols make up for a balanced diet.
A Mediterranean diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, breads, herbs, and healthy oils like Olive is the best diet to follow for Psoriasis.
Conclusion:
Food is an important weapon to fight off any disease. But it’s also a double-edged sword because the wrong diet may hurt your fight against the sickness and degrade any progress you’ve made. However, a balanced diet boosts your metabolism, gives you energy, and keeps you satiated. It’s important to fulfil your cravings and your diet needs. But moderation is the key if you suffer from a chronic condition like Psoriasis.
Consult your dermatologist or nutritionist to understand what potential triggers for you may be. Watch out for flare ups and keep an eye out on what you ate on any particular day that your symptoms were triggered. You are free to follow a special diet but its important to enjoy your favourite foods on occasion. Remember to have full and hearty meals because it will give you the headspace to move forward in your wellness journey towards a Psoriasis free living.
