Healthy eating with rheumatoid arthritis: what to put on your plate
No diet cures rheumatoid arthritis, but how you eat affects your weight, energy and heart health. Practical tips that fit everyday life.
Key takeaways
- No food cures RA, but balanced eating supports your weight, heart and energy.
- A Mediterranean-style pattern is practical: vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil.
- Ask about bones, calcium and vitamin D with your medicines.
- Check with your doctor before any supplement or herbal remedy.
There is no magic food
No single food has been shown to cure or stop rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But balanced eating helps you keep a healthy weight, which eases the load on your joints, and supports your energy and heart health, which matters because RA raises the risk of heart disease.
A Mediterranean-style pattern
- Vegetables and fruit in different colours every day.
- Whole grains and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas.
- Oily fish such as sardines or salmon once or twice a week.
- Olive oil instead of saturated fats.
- Less processed meat, sugar and fried food.
Your bones need attention
Some RA medicines, especially steroids, can weaken bones. Ask your doctor about calcium and vitamin D, and whether you need a bone density scan.
Watch for interactions
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement or herbal remedy, as some interact with medicines. Ask too which drinks you should avoid with your treatment.
Log it and learn
If a food seems to come with worse symptoms, note it for a few weeks before cutting it out, and talk it through with your doctor or a dietitian so you don't miss important nutrients.
References
Content is for medical awareness and does not replace medical advice. In an emergency, contact emergency services immediately.
