Proper nutrition for arthrosis of the knee joint is the basis of effective treatment. Everyone interested in improving health should understand what kind of diet is required for arthrosis of the knee joint. Basic principles, allowed and prohibited foods, sample menu - the main issues that need additional consideration.
Diet requirements for arthrosis
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 cartilage tissue and symptoms of the disease. Proper nutrition must be observed until the end of life.
General principles of arthrosis 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 guarantees the prevention of better weight.
- The maximum amount of calories per day is 3500 kcal. Such calorie content is allowed with an active lifestyle and serious physical labor.
- Dinner is required a couple of hours before bedtime.
- It is recommended to constantly monitor the weight.
- The diet includes healthy foods that contain components necessary for knee joints. Potentially unhealthy foods are excluded from the menu.
- Dishes require proper heat treatment. The benefits of food depend on this.
- Eliminate very hot and cold foods. It is advisable to eat warm meals.
- Careful and slow chewing is required. Compliance with this rule will prevent overeating.
- It is recommended to drink from 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 providing recommendations. Experts recommend including in the menu products that help to obtain the required amount of nutrients. Body support is aimed at preventing arthrosis and eliminating symptoms associated with inflammatory processes.
Essential Nutrients
Knee arthrosis requires minerals and vitamins, so this aspect is important when planning meals.
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 tissue 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 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. As a result, boron and magnesium, as well as calcium, are required in the preparation of the diet. Three components acting in conjunction are required not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
Pantothenic acid improves the cellular health of the knee joint. A useful component is 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 the diet. Substances eliminate pain syndrome, inflammation. For a pronounced therapeutic effect, a constant supply of fatty acids is required.
Prohibited Products
Many people are interested in what you shouldn't eat with arthrosis of the knee joint. Some food products contain substances that are potentially hazardous. 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 joints of the knees, having a negative effect on motor activity and exacerbating symptoms.
- Vegetables: white cabbage, bell peppers, tomatoes. These vegetables contain components that are dangerous for the cartilage tissue of the knee joint. For example, the use of tomatoes for arthrosis of the knee is minimized, despite the presence of nutritional components in fresh vegetables.
- Fruits and berries that contain acids. Such fruits lead to the accumulation of mineral salts that are dangerous for the joints.
- Flour products, sweets. Such foods contain simple carbohydrates that threaten to gain extra pounds.
- Coffee. Overuse of the drink leads to a decrease in calcium salts in the body. This results in 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.
- Fatty refined oils.
- Salt. Doctors recommend keeping a close eye on the amount of salt. Excessive salt intake threatens salt deposits, deterioration of the knee joints.
Doctors additionally prohibit smoking as nicotine leads to vasoconstriction, as a result of which metabolic processes are disrupted. Smoking reduces the effectiveness of any treatment.
Fasting is prohibited during healing. The body needs nutrients. The use of diuretics and laxatives is prohibited. Such medicines disrupt metabolic processes, contribute to the loss of nutrients necessary for the knee joints.
Useful products
The diet includes foods useful for arthrosis of the knee joint. Healthy foods provide the nutrients needed to improve knee health.
- Low fat poultry, meat, fish. Meat and fish dishes must be natural. Soups based on meat broths are consumed regularly, but preference is still given to vegetable first courses.
- Fermented milk products. The proteins supplied improve the cartilage tissue of the knee joints. The maximum fat content of dairy products should be 3. 2 percent. The menu includes fermented milk products with a high calcium content.
- Eggs. It is allowed to eat up to three eggs per day. A large number of eggs disrupt 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 of the knees.
- Nuts. The intake of vitamin E improves metabolic processes, stimulates the flow of beneficial components into the knee joints.
- Cereals. The most useful are millet, rice, buckwheat, hard pasta. Cooked cereals for standard times provide nutrients and complex carbohydrates to support the body.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods contain nutrients that support the body in fighting knee inflammation.
- Still mineral water, herbal and green tea. The diet also includes freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices, previously diluted with water. Healthy drinks help to obtain vitamins and maintain the body's water balance.
Knee arthrosis menus include healthy foods to ensure optimal nutritional intake.
Sample menu for a day with arthrosis
Diet is varied and nutritious if the menus are right.
Drink a glass of clean 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 plan cheese cakes with natural honey, cereal cookies, sandwiches with hard cheese, soft-boiled eggs, vegetable salad. After breakfast, drink green or herbal tea.
Lunch
Fresh fruit or dried fruit are eaten for lunch. The intake of nutrients is mandatory in the diet aimed at improving health in arthrosis.
Lunch
Planning a vegetable or meat soup for lunch. For the second, cutlets, baked chops, baked and boiled fish are ideal. It is recommended 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 snack
For an afternoon snack, they eat fresh sweet fruits, 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 relaxing herbal tea.
When planning proper nutrition for arthrosis of the knee joint, the emphasis is on the optimal calorie intake, the intake of useful components.