Removing inflammation-provoking foods from your diet, or at least limiting them, could help reduce joint pain. Processed foods made with refined white flour and white sugar are top culprits. These include packaged white breads and rolls, baked goods, and candy. Soda and other sweetened drinks are in the same category.
Fried foods and fats–such as margarine, shortening, and lard–also promote inflammation. So do processed red meats, like bacon, sausages, hot dogs, salami, and other deli meats. Even lean red meat should only be consumed once or twice a week.
Replace these foods with those high in natural antioxidants and adopt a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and fish with omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, and sardines.
Small red beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans rank among the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s top antioxidant-containing foods. Other anti-inflammatory foods that may improve joint symptoms are whole grains, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, citrus fruits, berries and cherries