Proper nutrition in osteoarthritis of the knee is the basis of effective treatment. Anyone interested in improving health should understand what type of diet is required for osteoarthritis of the knee. Basic principles, permitted and prohibited foods, sample menu - the main issues that need further consideration.
Dietary requirements for osteoarthritis
The main goal of the diet in diseases of the knee joint is to lose weight, to get the right amount of nutrients that have a positive effect on cartilage and the symptoms of the disease. Proper nutrition should be followed for the rest of your life.
General principles of the diet for osteoarthritis:
- The need for partial nutrition. It is recommended to eat small portions up to five times a day. Fractional feeding prevents overeating and therefore ensures the prevention of better weight.
- The maximum amount of calories per day is 3500 kcal. Such a calorie content is allowed in an active lifestyle and serious physical labor.
- Dinner is required a few hours before bed.
- It is recommended to 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.
- Dishes require proper heat treatment. The benefits of food depend on it.
- Eliminate very hot and cold foods. It is recommended to eat hot meals.
- Careful and slow chewing required. Following this rule will prevent 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 when making recommendations. Experts recommend including in the menu products that help to obtain the necessary amount of nutrients. The body's support 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 aspect is important when planning a meal.
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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. Antioxidant properties protect the cartilage 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 on its own with inflammation of the knee joints.
Pine promotes bone renewal. Boron and magnesium contribute to the full absorption of calcium, which is needed for the knee joints. As a result, boron and magnesium, as well as calcium, are needed in the preparation of the diet. Three components acting together are needed not only for treatment but also for prevention.
Pantothenic acid improves cellular health of the knee joint. Useful component present in beef and pork liver, nuts, mushrooms, green peas. The amount of the substance is determined by the severity of the symptoms.
Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. The substances eliminate the 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 in osteoarthritis of the knee. Some foods contain substances that are potentially dangerous. If food increases the risk of weight gain, it is also recommended to skip it.
The following foods are excluded from the diet:
- Fatty meat products. Such products lead to weight gain, disrupt the condition of the knee joints, having a negative effect on motor activity and exacerbation of symptoms.
- Vegetables: white cabbage, peppers, tomatoes. These vegetables contain components that are dangerous to the cartilage of the knee joint. For example, the use of tomatoes for osteoarthritis of the knee is minimized, despite the presence of nutrients in fresh vegetables.
- Fruits and berries that contain acids. Such fruits lead to the accumulation of mineral salts, which are dangerous for the joints.
- Flour, pastries. 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 leads to joint problems. Calcium deposits help maintain healthy knee joints.
- Alcohol. There is a violation of metabolic processes. Nutrients are no longer absorbed.
- Semi-finished, street products for fast food.
- Mayonnaise.
- Fatty refined oils.
- Sol. Doctors recommend carefully monitoring the amount of salt. Excessive salt intake threatens salt deposition, deterioration of the knee joints.
Doctors additionally ban smoking, as nicotine leads to vasoconstriction, as a result of which metabolic processes are disrupted. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of any treatment.
Fasting is forbidden 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 needed for the knee joints.
Useful products
The diet includes foods useful in osteoarthritis of the knee. Healthy foods provide the nutrients needed to improve knee health.
- Poultry, meat, low-fat fish. Meat and fish dishes should be natural. Soups based on meat broths are consumed regularly, but vegetable first courses are still preferred.
- Fermented dairy products. The delivered proteins improve the cartilage tissue of the knee joints. The maximum fat content in dairy products should be 3, 2 percent. The menu includes fermented dairy products with a high calcium content.
- Eggs. It is allowed to eat up to three eggs a day. A large number of eggs disrupt metabolic processes, so there is a risk of adverse effects on the knee joints.
- Natural meat jelly. The dish contains collagen and chondroitin, which are needed to improve the condition of the cartilage of the knees.
- Nuts. The intake of vitamin E improves metabolic processes, stimulates the flow of useful components in the knee joints.
- Cereals. The most useful are millet, rice, buckwheat, hard pasta. Cooked cereals provide standard nutrients and complex carbohydrates to support the body.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods contain nutrients that help the body fight knee inflammation.
- Non-carbonated mineral water, herbal and green tea. The diet also includes freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices, pre-diluted with water. Healthy drinks help to get vitamins and maintain the body's water balance.
Osteoarthritis menus include healthy foods to ensure optimal nutrition.
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 fluid improves metabolic processes and cleanses the intestines.
Breakfast
Drink fruit or vegetable juice first. After 20 minutes, it is recommended to eat porridge with a piece of butter. If desired, for breakfast they plan cakes with cheese with natural honey, biscuits with cereals, sandwiches with hard cheese, soft-boiled eggs, vegetable salad. After breakfast, drink green or herbal tea.
Lunch
Fresh fruits or dried fruits are eaten for lunch. Nutrient intake is mandatory in the diet aimed at improving health in osteoarthritis.
Lunch
Planning a vegetable or meat soup for lunch. For the latter, cutlets, baked chops, roasted and boiled fish are ideal. It is advisable 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 breakfast
For the afternoon breakfast eat fresh sweet fruits, drink a glass of dried fruit compote with dry cookies.
Dinner
Nutritionists recommend light foods to prevent weight gain. Recommended dishes are vegetable salad, cottage cheese casserole with relaxing herbal tea.
When planning a proper diet for osteoarthritis of the knee, the emphasis is on optimal calorie intake, intake of useful components.