The Foot Health No’s and Go’s of Thanksgiving Foods
If you’re prone to painful flare-ups like gout, foot swelling, or arthritis aches, your dinner plate can accidentally become a recipe for pain. Knowing what dishes can trigger a flare-up is the key to enjoying the holiday comfortably. Here are the 17 no’s and 17 go’s to inform how you pack your plate, courtesy of Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM.
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid for Your Feet
- Gravy: High purines and fat, which worsen gout and increase Joint Inflammation.
- Beer/Hard Liquor: Promotes dehydration and can directly trigger acute gout.
- Cured Hams and Bacon: High sodium! A major cause of foot & ankle swelling.
- Canned Cranberry Sauce: High sugar content fuels foot and ankle arthritis.
- Soda: High fructose content, a known diabetic trigger.
- Deep-Fried Turkey: Inflammatory fats impair circulation.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: High sodium and leads to foot swelling.
- Processed Dips: High saturated fat; exacerbates joint inflammation.
- Pecan Pie: Refined sugar load; worsens inflammatory foot conditions.
- Highly Salted Broth: Major sodium load can cause ankle edema.
- High-Fructose Dressings: Fuels Inflammatory pain like Plantar Fasciitis.
- Pillsbury Rolls: Simple carbs contribute to systemic inflammation.
- Store-Bought Frosting: High sugar. Increases diabetic ulcer risk.
- Candied Yams: Extreme sugar load worsens nerve and vascular damage.
- Creamy Casseroles: High fat and sodium can increase swelling and joint pain.
- Excess Turkey Skin: High saturated fat increases systemic inflammation.
- Cookies: High sugar and refined carbs can also trigger neuropathy.
Thanksgiving Foods to Eat for Your Feet
- Roasted Turkey Breast: Lean protein aids tissue repair.
- Fruit-Infused Water: Essential hydration flushes uric acid and prevents cramps.
- Steamed Green Beans: Anti-inflammatory and reduces joint swelling.
- Plain Roasted Carrots: Antioxidants support cellular healing.
- Sweet Potatoes: Aids soft tissue health.
- Walnuts and Pecans: Healthy fats soothe arthritis and improve circulation.
- Plain Mashed Potatoes: potassium to prevent muscle cramps.
- Low-Fat Milk and yogurt: Calcium/Vitamin D to support bone strength for anyone prone to stress fractures.
- Coffee and Unsweetened Tea: Aids uric acid excretion.
- Apples/Pears (Baked or Fresh): Fiber and hydration to reduce swelling.
- Salad Greens: Magnesium to prevent foot and calf cramps.
- Olive Oil and Avocado (Healthy Fats): Calms Joint Inflammation.
- Cinnamon: Natural anti-inflammatory soothes arthritic joints.
- Whole-Grain Rolls: Provides steady energy for muscles.
- Lentils and Beans: Lean plant-based protein to support tissue repair.
- Cherries: Potent anti-inflammatory for gout flare prevention.
- Garlic and Onion as a seasoning: supports circulation.
For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.
