Making healthy choices in your diet

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a balanced, nutritious diet can help your body perform at its best. By making a few simple substitutions in your everyday diet, you can:

• Eat meals that are healthy as well as tasty
• Help keep weight down to reduce stress on bones and joints
• Help increase energy, stabilize mood and manage fatigue

Five simple rules

1. Cut down on salt
   Add other flavors instead — choose from a great variety of herbs, spices and other natural flavorings
2. Cut down on sugar
   Limit refined sugar and go for the natural sweetness found in luscious fruits like cantaloupe instead
3. Add foods high in antioxidants
   Antioxidants are substances such as vitamins B and C and beta-carotene found in dark-colored fruits (like blueberries and cranberries) and vegetables (like leafy greens, sweet potatoes and carrots) that can stop damage to healthy cells in the body
4. Add whole grains
   They're low in fat, high in fiber and help fill you up
5. Use "good" fats
   Like olive and canola oils, fats high in omega-3 fatty acids (also found in some fish and walnuts) may have benefits that may be good for people with RA

These suggestions by themselves won't cure your RA, but it's still important to maintain a good diet. So make some nutritious food choices, enjoy flavorful meals…and eat healthy!

Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

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