Agencies
Services
Juvenille Arthritis and Nutrition
Healthy Eating for Juvenile Arthritis
There’s no special Juvenille Arthritis (JA) diet, but certain foods can promote healthy growth and development and help dial down inflammation. Since diet plays a role in inflammatory processes, parents are increasingly turning to popular diets to tame painful arthritis symptoms in their kids.
Unfortunately, no special diet can cure arthritis and there’s no evidence that certain foods or nutrients will stave off JA complications or comorbidities. Some of the trendier regimens may even put kids with JA at risk for dietary deficiencies, explains Denise Costanzo, a nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Rheumatology Department at Cleveland Clinic.
A diet made up largely of whole, unprocessed foods and that limits inflammatory foods can reduce inflammation, while also supporting your child’s bone, joint and tissue health.
These foods promote healthy growth and development and can help dial down inflammation:
- Fiber-Rich Foods. Plenty of research suggests eating a fiber-rich diet protects against inflammation.
- Clean Protein. While plant-based protein such as legumes, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds should top the list, other good protein sources include fatty fish (i.e., salmon) and lean cuts of poultry and grass-fed beef.
- Colorful Fruits and Veggies. Folate-rich dark green leafy vegetables are especially important for kids taking methotrexate since the drug can cause deficiencies of this important nutrient. In fact, the darker and more colorful the produce, the more disease-fighting chemicals it contains. Solid examples include beets, berries, tomatoes, cherries, broccoli and kale.
- Herbs and Spices. Many herbs and spices boast anti-inflammatory properties, including ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and rosemary. A bonus: Herbs and spices amp up the flavor of food so you may use less sugar and salt.
- Omega-3-Rich Foods. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and sardines are heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory.
- Calcium and D-Rich Foods. Calcium and vitamin D are critical nutrients for all children.
Studies consistently show that the typical American diet, which prioritizes processed meats, sugar and chips over blackberries and kale, increases inflammatory processes in the body. Here are some major culprits:
- Sugar
- Saturated and Trans Fats
- Artificial Ingredients
- Charred Foods
Still, it’s important to recognize that some kids with arthritis may have different dietary needs, depending on which medications they take and if they have any food intolerances or allergies. During flares, some kids may even lose their appetite. Your best bet? “Work with a dietitian to help ensure your child is meeting requirements for growth and development,” says Denise Costanzo, a nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Rheumatology Department at Cleveland Clinic, “and always check with your doctor before embarking on a special dietary plan that cuts out entire food groups.”
To access the full article and get more nutrition tips for Juvenile Arthritis, click here.