Food Choices for Improved Foot Health
Thousands of years ago in ancient Greece, Hippocrates wrote, “Let food be thy medicine,” and he was right.
We now know that eating a sensible diet of minimally processed foods in appropriate portions is best, especially when we combine it with regular exercise. Not only does a proper diet promote overall health and well-being, it also reduces your risk of deadly illnesses including cardiac disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Eating well even benefits your feet. Dr. James M. McKee encourages you to eat foods that will promote strong, healthy bones while avoiding foods that lead to painful inflammation in the muscles and tendons. Combine the information in this article and a brief trip to the grocery store and you can get started eating right for foot health today!
More Calcium and Vitamin D
Why?
- Calcium is used to build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, so you will often find the two in combination.
- Calcium is essential during all life phases including childhood, when it is used to build bones, during menopause in women, when it helps maintain bone quality, and into the senior years, when calcium lowers the risk of a fracture in older people with osteoporosis and osteopenia.
How?
- dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese
- sardines with bones
- green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens
More Omega-3 Fats
Why?
- Omega-3 fats can reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the feet.
How?
- flax seeds
- walnuts
- sardines
- beef, soybeans and tofu
- fatty fish including shrimp
Less Junk, Less Salt
Why?
- Refined grains, sugars and trans fats contain chemicals that lead to and exacerbate tissue and joint inflammation, causing pain and discomfort in the feet. Fresh foods are always better for you than items made in a factory!
- Sodium is the primary mineral found in salt. It’s also found in all manner of pre-packaged foods. Excessive sodium intake leads to high blood pressure, causing water retention and swelling. Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet by avoiding processed foods.
How?
- whole grain products
- fresh foods
- more fruits and vegetables
- fewer packaged foods
- no salt shaker on the table
Help your feet look and feel their best by seeing your podiatrist for regular check ups. Every time you visit Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A., James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS will examine your feet thoroughly, diagnose existing problems, and treat any issues that you may be experiencing. Call us at 410-224-4448 or click here to schedule a convenient appointment in our Annapolis office.