Living with arthritis is hard. Something as simple as a doorknob or a steep set of stairs can send pain shooting through your joints. You feel limited about what you can do in your own home, especially when you’re in the throes of a flare-up.
The good news is that there are effective ways that you can make things easier on your joints. One thing that you can do is look into senior living accommodations that have accessibility features in mind like walk-in showers, grab rails, and large doorways. With the right senior residence, you don’t have to worry about renovating your home to be more accessible for your condition. And if you’re having a tough day, you have access to nurses 24-hours a day.
Another way that you can ease the pain of your arthritis is to incorporate certain foods into your diet. You can do this by ordering them from dining services or by putting them in your kitchen for when you feel like cooking. Here are five foods that will be helpful.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that’s commonly found in curries and rice dishes. Sprinkling a spoonful of turmeric into your recipes will do more than give them a rich flavour and bright yellow colour. It’s an anti-inflammatory. Arthritis pain is caused by inflammation in the joints. So, this specific spice will come in handy.
2. Fatty Fish
Fish like salmon and trout have omega-3 fatty acids that are famous for reducing inflammation. You can access this incredible nutrient by cooking a serving of fish two times a week, or you can take a daily fish oil supplement to get similar results.
3. Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts contain the mineral selenium. Researchers have found that people who have low levels of selenium are more likely to have osteoarthritis in their knees. So, it’s time to start snacking on a Brazil nuts. Three to four nuts will have enough selenium to last you for an entire day.
4. Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens like spinach, chard, and kale are great for anyone living with osteoarthritis because they contain high levels of calcium. The mineral helps maintain bone health and strength. As you get older, digesting these leafy greens raw may be hard on your stomach. You can put them into your healthy breakfast smoothies or cook them down and add them into sauces, stir-frys, and other savoury dishes.
5. Tart Cherries
Cherries are one of the best foods for arthritis because they have anthocyanin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Eat the cherries on their own or enjoy a glass of cherry juice to get this benefit.
On the other hand, these are some items that you should avoid when you have arthritis:
- Corn oil
- Alcohol
- Pop
- Dairy products (milk, butter, yogurt, cream)
- Refined sugar
- Shellfish
- Fried foods
Easing your arthritis pain doesn’t have to feel like a constant battle. There are some simple solutions that can make living with the condition much easier. You can do something as simple as adding the right foods onto your plate — and keeping the wrong ones off of it. Who knew that your dinner could be so delicious and rewarding?