Nutrition for Pain Management: Foods That can Help Chronic Pain
It’s estimated that more than 100 million American adults suffer from chronic pain—making it one of the leading reasons people visit the doctor and take medication. While pain may begin as a physical issue, it can become overwhelming and affect your relationships, work and mental health.
Our Asheville pain management doctors have seen that what we eat directly affects levels of chronic pain in patients. Read on to learn more about nutrition for pain management and how making positive changes to your diet can make an impact on your life.
The Relationship Between Food & Pain
High-quality food is something that gives you energy and health! While it’s common to feel immediate comfort when eating junk food or sweets, it can cause your pain to feel worse—and even lead to long-term health problems.
Obesity: Evidence suggests that obesity is common in chronic pain conditions and pain severity is also higher in obese individuals. It’s believed that obesity can cause worsening of chronic pain because of the extra mass and stress on the body. Your joints have to work harder to complete normal, daily activities. Obesity may also lead to joints wearing faster as it can alter the way you walk and stand.
Inflammation: Inflammation is our body’s immune response to tissue damage or injury. Some foods can cause inflammation in the body which can cause or worsen physical pain.
Nutrition for Pain Management
Nutrient-dense food and drinks reduce inflammation in the body, reduce chronic pain, improve weight loss and boost your mood. Even a small shift in your diet can help you to curb your pain symptoms and make you feel better. Below are a few simple nutrition recommendations and examples of foods to incorporate into your diet for pain management:
Whole Grains: whole wheat bread & pasta, brown rice & quinoa.
Beans, Nuts & Seeds: black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, hummus, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, soybeans & edamame.
Vegetables & Fruits: bell peppers, dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula), onions, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumbers & green beans. Dark colored fruits (berries, pomegranates & cherries).
Fish: Coldwater fish such as salmon, sardines, anchovies & mackerel.
Chicken & Turkey: white meat chicken and turkey (avoid fried).
ea: black tea, green tea, white tea, herbal tea.
Get more tips on nutrition for pain management in our article about anti-inflammatory diets right here.
Foods to Avoid or Eat Sparingly
It's also helpful to understand which foods are most detrimental to managing your chronic pain symptoms. Some of the top foods that should be treated with caution include:
Red meat
Processed meats such as deli meat, bacon and sausage
Refined foods such as white bread and pasta
Foods with high-fructose corn syrup and other added sugars
Prepackaged frozen or boxed meals
Fried foods
Sodas and energy drinks
Alcohol
Health & Nutrition Counseling
Health and nutrition counseling at our Western North Carolina pain clinics are another resource to help you find long-term, sustainable relief from pain. Our counselors can help introduce you to—and get you started with—diets that will reduce inflammation, improve weight loss and promote healing. Health psychologists can also help you to develop exercise plans and regular healthy activities to improve your mobility and overall wellbeing!
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
Disclaimer: You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider before beginning any exercise program. The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice, nor does reading or accessing this information create a patient-provider relationship. Comments that you post will be shared with all visitors to this page. All comments are not governed by HIPAA and you should not post any private health information.