Proper nutrition for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the basis of effective treatment. Anyone interested in improving health should understand what type of diet is required for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Basic principles, allowed and prohibited foods, sample menus - the main issues that need further consideration.
Dietary requirements for osteoarthritis
The main goal of a diet for knee joint diseases is to lose weight, get the right amount of nutrients that have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and disease symptoms. Proper nutrition must be observed until the end of life.
General principles of the diet for osteoarthritis:
- The need for fractional nutrition. It is recommended to eat in small portions up to five times a day. Fractional nutrition prevents overeating and thus ensures the prevention of better weight.
- The maximum amount of calories per day is 3500 kcal. Such calorie content is allowed with an active lifestyle and serious physical work.
- Dinner is required a couple of hours before going to sleep.
- We recommend that you constantly monitor your weight.
- The diet includes healthy foods that contain components necessary for the knee joints. Potentially unhealthy foods are excluded from the menu.
- The dishes require proper heat treatment. The benefits of food depend on it.
- Eliminates very hot and cold foods. It is recommended to have hot meals.
- Careful and slow chewing is required. Compliance with this rule will prevent overeating.
- It is recommended to drink one and a half liters per day. The emphasis is on clean water.
The diet is developed under medical supervision in the same way that doctors take into account the patient's state of health when giving recommendations. Experts recommend including in the menu products that help to obtain the required amount of nutrients. The support of the body is aimed at preventing osteoarthritis and eliminating the symptoms associated with inflammatory processes.
Essential nutrients
Osteoarthritis of the knee requires minerals and vitamins, so this is important when planning meals.
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Vitamin C is considered one of the most important. Vitamin C forms connective tissue, restores the cartilage of the knee joint. The antioxidant properties protect the cartilage tissue of the knees from free radicals. Doctors note that women need less vitamin C every day and more for men. Vitamin C also helps improve the immune system, thanks to which the body fights inflammation in the knee joints on its own.
Boron promotes bone renewal. Boron and magnesium contribute to the complete absorption of calcium, which is necessary for the knee joints. Consequently, boron and magnesium are needed in the preparation of the diet, as well as calcium. Three components that work together are needed not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
Pantothenic acid improves cellular health of the knee joint. A useful component is present in the liver of beef and pork, nuts, mushrooms, peas. The amount of the substance is determined by the severity of the symptoms.
Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Substances eliminate pain syndrome, inflammation. For a pronounced therapeutic effect, a constant supply of fatty acids is required.
Prohibited products
Many people are interested in what you shouldn't eat with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Some food products contain potentially dangerous substances. If food increases the risk of weight gain, skipping it is also recommended.
The following foods are excluded from the diet:
- Products based on fatty meat. Such products lead to weight gain, disrupt the condition of the knee joints, have a negative effect on motor activity and aggravate symptoms.
- Vegetables: white cabbage, peppers, tomatoes. These vegetables contain components that are dangerous to the cartilage tissue of the knee joint. For example, the use of tomatoes for knee osteoarthritis is reduced to a minimum, despite the presence of nutritional components in fresh vegetables.
- Fruits and berries that contain acids. These fruits lead to the accumulation of mineral salts dangerous for the joints.
- Flour-based products, sweets. Such foods contain simple carbohydrates that threaten to gain extra pounds.
- Coffee. Excessive use of the drink leads to a decrease in calcium salts in the body. This results in joint problems. Calcium deposits help keep knee joints healthy.
- Alcohol. There is a violation of metabolic processes. Nutrients are no longer absorbed.
- Semi-finished products, street fast food products.
- Mayonnaise.
- Refined fatty oils.
- Sale. Doctors recommend keeping an eye on the amount of salt. Excessive salt intake threatens salt deposits, deterioration of the knee joints.
Doctors also prohibit smoking as nicotine leads to vasoconstriction, as a result of which metabolic processes are disrupted. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of any treatment.
Fasting is prohibited during healing. The body needs nutrients. The use of diuretics and laxatives is prohibited. Such drugs disrupt metabolic processes, contribute to the loss of nutrients necessary for the knee joints.
Useful products
The diet includes foods useful for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Healthy foods provide the nutrients needed to improve knee health.
- Poultry, meat, low-fat fish. Meat and fish dishes must be natural. Soups based on meat broths are eaten regularly, but preference is still given to vegetable first courses.
- Fermented dairy products. The proteins provided improve the cartilage tissue of the knee joints. The maximum fat content of dairy products should be 3, 2%. The menu includes fermented milk products with a high calcium content.
- Eggs. It is allowed to eat up to three eggs per day. A large number of eggs disrupt metabolic processes, so there is a risk of negative effects on the knee joints.
- Natural meat jelly. The dish contains collagen and chondroitin, which are necessary to improve the condition of the cartilage of the knees.
- Nuts. Taking vitamin E improves metabolic processes, stimulates the flow of beneficial components in the knee joints.
- Cereals. The most useful are millet, rice, buckwheat, hard pasta. Standard-cooked grains provide complex nutrients and carbohydrates to support the body.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables. These foods contain nutrients that support the body in fighting knee inflammation.
- Natural mineral water, herbal teas and green tea. The diet also includes freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices, previously diluted with water. Healthy drinks help to get vitamins and maintain the body's water balance.
The menus for knee osteoarthritis include healthy foods to ensure optimal nutritional intake.
Sample menu for a day with osteoarthritis
The diet is varied and nutritious if the menus are correct.
Drink a glass of clean water before breakfast. The liquid improves metabolic processes and cleanses the intestines.
Breakfast
Drink fruit or vegetable juices first. After 20 minutes, it is recommended to eat porridge with a piece of butter. If desired, cheesecake with natural honey, cereal biscuits, sandwiches with hard cheese, soft-boiled eggs, vegetable salad are prepared for breakfast. After breakfast, drink green or herbal tea.
Lunch
Fresh or dried fruit is eaten for lunch. The intake of nutrients is mandatory in the diet aimed at improving health in osteoarthritis.
Lunch
Planning a vegetable or meat soup for lunch. For the second, cutlets, baked ribs, baked and boiled fish are ideal. It is recommended to take care of the presence of vegetable stew, mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, cereals. Rye bread will contribute to the intake of additional substances aimed at improving metabolic processes.
Afternoon snack
For an afternoon snack, they eat fresh and sweet fruit, drink a cup of dried fruit compote with dry biscuits.
Dinner
Nutritionists recommend a light meal to prevent weight gain. Recommended dishes are vegetable salad, ricotta flans with relaxing herbal teas.
When planning proper nutrition for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the emphasis is on optimal caloric intake, the intake of useful components.