Eating for Foot Health

You hear the same information every day: health and wellness are intertwined with diet and exercise. Deliberate food choices can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more. The same well-balanced diet can keep feet and ankles healthy and pain-free.

A diet based in colorful fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat, calcium rich foods will help you maintain a moderate weight, reduce inflammation in muscles and soft tissues, strengthen bones, and more. With just a bit of advance planning and a weekly trip to the grocery store, you can eat for good foot health. Following are some suggestions from Dr. James M. McKee to help you get started:

1.      Start with small changes. Instead of high-carb, high-sugar cereal for breakfast, opt for a bowl of oatmeal with berries, or a slice of toast with mashed avocado and an egg. Produce is low in calories and high in important nutrients. Make vegetables the centerpieces of lunch and dinner. If you enjoy salad, take note of how much cheese and dressing you are using, and see how you like it with half as much.

Eat fruit when you want a snack

2.      Too much sugar is unhealthy, especially for people with diabetes, a whole-body illness that poses particular dangers to foot health. One way to cut back is to abstain from sodas, juice, teas and other pre-sweetened beverages. Opt for water or seltzer instead.

3.      Promote bone health and reduce your risk of fracture with plenty of calcium. You’ll find it in dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. It’s also present in green leafy vegetables and fish that are eaten with bones intact, such as sardines and anchovies.

4.      Sodium is an essential mineral, but too much can lead to swelling and water retention. Sodium is commonly found in salt, so one way to limit your sodium intake is to limit your salt consumption. Avoid packaged and canned food products, which are often extremely high in sodium. Cook from scratch instead. It takes a little longer, but you’ll love the results.

Of course, the best choice for foot health is an ongoing relationship with a board-certified podiatrist like James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS. Schedule a convenient appointment in Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A.’s modern, comfortable office today. Call our friendly staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to get started.