Diet and Nutrition

• Avoid overeating and don’t eat too quickly.
• Chew everything very thoroughly.
• Don’t be anxious or stressed at meal time.

What to eat in arthritis

All alkaline forming foods, which include generally all fruits and vegetables except pulses, asparagus, peas, broad beans, Brussels sprouts. Other alkaline forming foods are millet, yoghurt, fresh coconut, soya products and egg white.

Bananas, pineapples, apples and grapes.

Carrot, celery, beetroot, parsley, alfalfa, garlic, mushrooms.

Fruits — all berry fruits, blueberries, blackberries and cherries.
Sprouted grains, seeds and nuts.
Nuts and seeds, especially of sunflowers, sesame, walnuts, pumpkin seeds; almonds should be taken raw and fresh.
Grains — millet, rice, corn are the best. Use rye and oatmeal in moderation. Wheat causes many problems for many arthritis patients, so avoid it.
Goat’s milk or soya milk, egg and cottage cheese in moderation.
Oily fish.
Spirulina and wheat grass.
Turmeric and ginger.
Low-fat and low-protein vegetarian diet.
Raw and fresh, fruit and vegetable – juices are of enormous benefit to a patient. These must be freshly prepared and not canned or packed. Dilute the juice and drink slowly.
Garlic may be taken raw or cooked.

What to reduce in arthritis

All acid-forming foods, especially meat and dairy products. Home made cottage cheese is fine. All these products increase inflammation.
Citrus fruits – sometimes the body does not metabolize these correctly.
Pulses.

What to avoid in arthritis

Foods to which you are allergic. Use the trial and error method, preferably under the supervision of a homeopathic physician.
Nightshade family vegetables : tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, capsicum/capsica, chillies.
All wheat flour, and everything made from it – bread, pasta, cereal and cakes.
Sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Added salt and hot spices.
All frozen and processed foods – cakes, cereals, jams, sausages etc.
Coffee, tea, cocoa, alcohol and soft drinks.