Good nutrition for osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the basis of effective treatment. Anyone interested in improving their health should understand what type of diet is needed for osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Basics, allowed and prohibited foods, sample menu - the main questions that require further 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 the cartilage tissue and the symptoms ofdisease. Good nutrition should be observed until the end of life.
General principles of the osteoarthritis diet:
- The need for fractional nutrition. It is recommended to eat in small portions up to five times a day. Fractional nutrition 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 with an active lifestyle and serious physical work.
- Dinner is required a few hours before bedtime.
- It is recommended to constantly monitor the weight.
- The diet includes healthy foods that contain components necessary for the knee joints. Potentially unhealthy foods are excluded from the menu.
- Dishes require appropriate heat treatment. The benefits of food depend on it.
- Eliminate very hot and cold foods. It is advisable to eat hot meals.
- Slow and careful chewing is necessary. Following 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 making recommendations. Experts recommend including in the menu products that help to obtain the required amount of nutrients. Body support is aimed at preventing osteoarthritis and eliminating symptoms associated with inflammatory processes.
Essential nutrients
Osteoarthritis of the knee requires minerals and vitamins, so 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 in the knees from free radicals. Doctors note that women need less vitamin C each day, and men need more. Vitamin C also helps to improve the immune system, thanks to which the body fights the 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. Accordingly, boron and magnesium, as well as calcium, are needed in the preparation of the diet. Three co-acting components are needed not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
Pantothenic acid improves cellular health in the knee joint. A useful component is present in beef and pork liver, nuts, mushrooms and 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 necessary.
Prohibited products
Many people are interested in what you should not eat with osteoarthritis of the knee. 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 cause weight gain, disrupt the condition of the knee joints, have a negative effect on motor activity and exacerbate symptoms.
- Vegetables: white cabbage, peppers, tomatoes. These vegetables contain components that are dangerous for the cartilage tissue of the knee joint. For example, the use of tomatoes for osteoarthritis of the knee is minimized, despite the presence of nutritional components in fresh vegetables.
- Fruits and berries containing 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. Overuse 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 products, street fast food products.
- Mayonnaise.
- Refined fatty oils.
- Sel. Doctors recommend closely monitoring the amount of salt. Excessive salt intake threatens salt deposits, deterioration of the knee joints.
Doctors additionally prohibit smoking, because nicotine causes vasoconstriction, which disrupts metabolic processes. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of any treatment.
Fasting is prohibited during healing. The body needs nutrients. The use of diuretics and laxatives is prohibited. These drugs disrupt metabolic processes, contribute to the loss of necessary nutrients from the knee joints.
Useful products
The diet includes foods that are helpful 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 should be natural. Soups based on meat broths are eaten regularly, but preference is always given to the first dishes of vegetables.
- 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 percent. The menu includes fermented dairy products with a high calcium content.
- Eggs. It is allowed to eat up to three eggs per day. A large number of eggs disrupts 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 in the knees.
- Nuts. Vitamin E intake improves metabolic processes, stimulates the flow of beneficial components in the knee joints.
- Cereals. The most useful are millet, rice, buckwheat, hard pasta. Cereals cooked for standard hours provide nutrients and complex carbohydrates to support the body.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods contain nutrients that help the body fight inflammation in the knee.
- Still mineral water, herbal tea and green tea. The diet also includes freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices, previously diluted with water. Healthy drinks help get vitamins and maintain the body's water balance.
Osteoarthritis knee menus include healthy foods to ensure optimal nutritional intake.
Sample menu for a day with osteoarthritis
Food is varied and nutritious if the menus are good.
Drink a glass of clear 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 desired, for breakfast they provide cheesecakes with natural honey, cereal cookies, hard cheese sandwiches, boiled eggs, vegetable salad. After breakfast, drink green tea or herbal teas.
Lunch
Fresh fruit or dried fruit is eaten for lunch. The intake of nutrients is mandatory in the diet aimed at improving health in osteoarthritis.
Lunch
Plan a vegetable or meat soup for lunch. For the second, cutlets, baked chops, baked and boiled fish are ideal. It is recommended to pay attention to the presence of vegetable stew, mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, cereals. Rye bread will contribute to the supply of additional substances aimed at improving metabolic processes.
Afternoon snack
For an afternoon snack, they eat sweet fresh fruit, drink a cup of dried fruit compote with dry cookies.
Dinner
Nutritionists recommend a light meal to prevent weight gain. Recommended dishes are vegetable salad, cottage cheese casseroles with a relaxing herbal tea.
When planning proper nutrition for osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the focus is on optimal calorie intake, the supply of useful components.