The most important link between your diet and arthritis is your weight. Being overweight puts an extra burden on your weight-bearing joints including your back, hips, knees, ankles and feet, especially when they are already damaged or under strain.

If you are overweight and have arthritis in any of your weight-bearing joints, losing weight is essential in managing your condition.

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight is through good eating habits. The Arthritis Society recommends ways to cut excess calories to achieve an improved body weight.

Reduce fat intake. A balanced diet should include a small amount of unsaturated fats. Choosing the right amount and types of fats can lower your risk of developing arthritis, disease inflammation.

Reduce sugar intake. Sugar contains empty calories and has no other food value, so it can be cut back without losing any nutrients. Limit or avoid adding sugar to drinks and cereals. Dried fruit like raisins or dates can be used to sweeten cereals and provide vitamins, minerals and fibre to help keep your body nourished.

Increase daily physical activity. Exercise not only uses up calories that would otherwise be stored as fat, but it increases your strength and flexibility, and improves general health, including your heart and circulation.

Arthritis can make exercise difficult, but simple activities like walking the family dog helps. Swimming is a good exercise because it takes weight off the joints.

More information is available online at arthritis. ca or toll-free at 1-800-3211433.

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