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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Are there foods you should avoid if you have RA?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Mississauga, ON

In 2000 I was told I had arthritis in my voice box. Suddenly I was unable to hit my high notes and I would start to yawn and get very tired about 20 minutes into rehearsal. I was afraid I had nodules but he said my vocal chord tissue was very healthy. Now I can hardly sing a note. When I was finally diagnosed in 2011 with rheumatoid arthritis the Dr. said that was rheumatoid arthritis in my throat because osteo arthritis only attacks joints. The past 6 weeks I've had very little speaking voice… read more

April 21
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myRAteam

Are there foods you should avoid if you have RA?

Yes, certain foods may trigger inflammation and worsen RA symptoms. While everyone's triggers can be different, here are foods many people with RA try to limit or avoid:

Foods that may increase inflammation
* Sugar and sugary beverages (sodas, sweetened juices)
* Refined Show Full Answer

Are there foods you should avoid if you have RA?

Yes, certain foods may trigger inflammation and worsen RA symptoms. While everyone's triggers can be different, here are foods many people with RA try to limit or avoid:

Foods that may increase inflammation:
* Sugar and sugary beverages (sodas, sweetened juices)
* Refined carbohydrates (white bread, most pastas, white rice)
* Processed meats (hot dogs, bacon, sausage)
* Saturated fats (butter, cream, full-fat dairy)
* Trans fats (fried foods, packaged baked goods, margarine)
* Red and fatty meats
* Foods with MSG (monosodium glutamate)
* Excessive alcohol

Some people with RA also find that dairy products or gluten can trigger their symptoms, though this varies from person to person.

Finding your personal triggers:

Keeping a food diary can be incredibly helpful. Track what you eat and how you feel afterward to identify patterns. A myRAteam member shared: "Food is definitely medicine," while another noticed "a huge difference in my mobility by changing to more whole foods."

Many members report that sugar immediately causes increased pain and inflammation. One member said, "Sugar immediately causes an inflammatory response with increased pain."

Since you're dealing with widespread inflammation, working with your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you identify which foods might be contributing to your symptoms and create a balanced eating plan that works with your medications.

April 21

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