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‘Tis the season… for winter fun, good cheer and plenty of delicious holiday treats to enjoy. But if you live with a chronic pain condition, it is wise to savor the festivities while savoring less of certain types of foods or drinks.
As any pain doctor may have told you, a healthy diet is an important factor in managing your chronic pain. In fact, substantial relief can often be achieved just by eating the right foods, in the right portions, and avoiding other foods altogether.
The reason for this is that some foods are known to cause inflammation in the body, which can damage the body’s cells and organs. This can lead to pain in the joints, muscles and tissues, (such as arthritis and osteoarthritis pain, which result from inflammation.)
By reducing your intake of inflammatory foods, your pain may be reduced or even eliminated altogether, depending on your individual pain condition. No matter what your physical circumstances, a healthy diet will only help you to feel better overall.
So, when you reach for a holiday treat in the coming weeks, keep in mind this list of 7 foods to avoid so you can enjoy your holiday with less pain and more cheer!
- Alcohol – While many celebrations include colorful cocktails or ‘harder’ libations, try to abstain from alcohol consumption if possible, as it is a major contributor to inflammation.
- Sugary drinks – Soda, fruit juice, energy drinks, and sweetened tea or coffee contain an excess of sugar, which causes blood sugar spikes that may exacerbate chronic pain.
- Sugary foods – The same principle applies to foods such as cakes, brownies, cookies, donuts, pastries and pies; too much sugar will be detrimental to your pain condition.
- Red meat – Beef, i.e. burgers, ribs and steaks, should be avoided and replaced with healthier alternatives such as ground turkey instead of ground beef.
- Processed meat – Bacon, ham, sausage and lunch meats not only contribute to inflammation, they also contain an unhealthy excess of sodium and preservatives.
- Nightshade vegetables – Certain vegetables and herbs, including potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers, cayenne pepper, paprika are known culprits of inflammation.
- Unhealthy fats and oils – Saturated fats as found in shortening, margarine and lard, and oils such as soybean, sunflower and corn oil are not only inflammatory, they also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Instead of the aforementioned inflammation-causing foods, opt instead for healthy — yet delicious — treats that are made primarily from nuts, (like almonds or walnuts) or fruits (berries, cherries, pomegranites, etc.) These all-natural, anti-inflammatory ingredients can be found in some of the most delectable holiday indulgences, while helping to reduce the risk of increased chronic pain.
Don’t Let Chronic Pain Ruin Your Holidays
Florida Pain Relief Centers’ board-certified physicians are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and take a comprehensive, multimodal approach to treating your chronic pain.
We want to help relieve your pain so that you can enjoy the holiday season in comfort. Our pain specialists provide comprehensive, personalized care and will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your unique pain condition.
If you’re suffering with chronic pain and want more information about options to reduce or eliminate your discomfort, call Florida Pain Relief Centers today at 800.215.0029 or click the button below to schedule your visit online.
