Proper nutrition for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the basis of effective treatment. Everyone interested in improving health should understand what kind of diet is required for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Basic principles, allowed and prohibited foods, sample menu - the main aspects that need additional consideration.
Dietary requirements for osteoarthritis
The main goal of a diet for diseases of the knee joint is to lose weight, get the right amount of nutrients that have a positive effect on cartilage tissue and symptoms of the disease. Adequate 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 avoids overeating and therefore 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 bedtime.
- It is recommended to constantly monitor your weight.
- The diet includes healthy foods that contain components necessary for the knee joints. Foods potentially harmful to health are excluded from the menu.
- Plates require proper heat treatment. The benefits of food depend on this.
- Eliminate very hot and cold foods. It is advisable to eat hot meals.
- Chewing carefully and slowly is required. Following this rule will avoid overeating.
- It is recommended to drink one and a half liters a 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 health status when giving recommendations. Experts recommend including in the menu products that help to obtain the necessary amount of nutrients. The body support aims to prevent osteoarthritis and eliminate the symptoms associated with inflammatory processes.
Essential nutrients
Knee osteoarthritis requires minerals and vitamins, which is why this aspect 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 to improve the immune system, thanks to which the body fights inflammation of 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. As a result, boron and magnesium, as well as calcium, are necessary in the preparation of the diet. Three components that work together are required not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
Pantothenic acid improves the cellular health of the knee joint. A useful component is present in beef and pork liver, walnuts, mushrooms, peas. The amount of 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 not to 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:
- Fatty meat products. Such products lead to weight gain, alter the condition of the knee joints, have a negative effect on motor activity and exacerbate symptoms.
- Vegetables: white cabbage, bell peppers, tomatoes. These vegetables contain components that are dangerous for the cartilage tissue of the knee joint. For example, the use of tomatoes for knee osteoarthritis is minimized, despite the presence of nutritional components in fresh vegetables.
- Fruits and berries that contain acids. Such fruits lead to the accumulation of mineral salts that are dangerous for the joints.
- Flour products, sweets. These foods contain simple carbohydrates that threaten to put on 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 the 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.
- Salt. Doctors recommend closely monitoring the amount of salt. Excessive salt intake threatens salt deposits, deterioration of the knee joints.
Doctors also prohibit smoking, as nicotine causes 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 and contribute to the loss of nutrients necessary for the knee joints.
Useful products
The diet includes useful foods for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Healthy foods provide the necessary nutrients to improve knee health.
- Low-fat poultry, meat, fish. Meat and fish dishes must be natural. Soups based on meat broths are consumed regularly, but preference is still given to the first vegetable dishes.
- Fermented dairy products. The supplied proteins improve the cartilage tissue of the knee joints. The maximum fat content of dairy products should be 3. 2 percent. The menu includes fermented dairy products high in calcium.
- Eggs. Eating up to three eggs per day is allowed. 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.
- Walnuts. The intake of vitamin E improves metabolic processes, stimulates the flow of beneficial components to the knee joints.
- Cereals. The most useful are millet, rice, buckwheat, hard pasta. Cereals cooked during standard times provide nutrients and complex carbohydrates to support the body.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods contain nutrients that help the body fight knee inflammation.
- Still mineral water, green and herbal tea. The diet also includes freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices, previously diluted with water. Healthy drinks help to obtain vitamins and maintain the water balance of the body.
Knee Osteoarthritis menus 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 juice first. After 20 minutes, it is advisable to eat porridge with a piece of butter. If you like, for breakfast they plan cheesecakes with natural honey, cereal biscuits, sandwiches with hard cheese, soft-boiled eggs, vegetable salad. After breakfast, drink green or herbal tea.
Lunch
Fresh fruits or nuts are 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 cutlets, baked and boiled fish are ideal. It is recommended to take care of the presence of vegetable stew, mashed potatoes or roasted 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 sweet fruits, drink a cup of dried fruit compote with dry crackers.
Dinner
Nutritionists recommend a light meal to avoid weight gain. Recommended dishes are vegetable salad, cottage cheese stews with relaxing herbal tea.
When planning proper nutrition for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, emphasis is placed on optimal calorie intake, the intake of useful components.