logo ai

Fight Foot Pain with Your Diet

By Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS | Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus DPM, RPhs, FACFAS

Fight Foot Pain with Your DietWhen it comes to taking care of your feet, you might not immediately think of the things that you eat, but nutrients impact your entire body and well-being, so why not your feet too? Fight foot pain from your diet. The foods you eat can impact your health in all sorts of ways. From weight gain to inflammation, the nutrients that go in can altogether change the way that your body looks and feels.

While it isn’t possible to determine precisely how toe pain or a condition like heel spurs in Boca Raton relates to the fast-food burger you had last night, it is possible to improve your health and reduce your risk of further foot pain by eliminating certain foods from your diet.

Foot Pain, Diet and Inflammation

Inflammation can cause serious foot pain—not to mention pain throughout the rest of the body. Inflammation is a common cause of heel and toe pain and can even be a contributing factor to conditions like plantar fasciitis. What is more, existing conditions like arthritis are often worsened by inflammation. Changing your diet can’t necessarily fix underlying foot problems, but it can reduce inflammation, and the benefits of a healthier diet will often spill over to other problems throughout your body.

The American diet is filled with foods that cause inflammation, such as:

  • Refined grains
  • Sugar
  • Trans fats
  • Saturated fats
  • Omega-6 fats

Each of these items is commonly found in highly processed items like frozen foods, fast food items, and prepackaged snacks like cookies and chips. To avoid these negative nutrients you will need to switch over to a more natural diet strategy based on whole foods. Foods cooked in oils, especially vegetables, corn, and sunflower oils can encourage inflammation. Add a bit of sugar and the problem continues to grow.

What improvements can you make to your diet, and how will they impact your feet? Limiting your consumption of fats, reducing your intake of red meat, and eliminating as much sugar from your diet as possible can all reduce inflammation and produce an overall healthier diet. Making these types of changes to your diet can also help you to lose weight, which can reduce some of the pressure on your feet and may in turn reduce foot pain.

A good diet is a fundamental component of a healthy lifestyle. As you are seeking treatment for foot pain in Boca Raton, consider the ways that you can improve your diet, too.

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS

Known for his expertise in thorough diagnostic testing and a steady surgical hand, Jason M. Gold, DPM, is a leader in modern foot and ankle care and sports medicine. He’s one of a handful of doctors who’s board certified in foot and ankle surgery in Palm Beach County. Dr. Jason Gold cares for patients at Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center, a state-of-the-art practice with locations in Boca Raton and Boynton, Florida.

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus , DPM - Podiatrist in Boca Raton, FL

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus DPM, RPhs, FACFAS

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus is a foot, ankle, and leg vein specialist practicing in South Florida. She is considered a leader and innovator for various procedures in her field, including fat pad and vein care. Dr. Schoenhaus grew up in southern New Jersey and she considers herself a true Philly girl. After graduating from the University of Michigan, having studied kinesiology and human movement, she went to Temple University in Philadelphia where she got her doctorate.

Related Articles

Rectangle 1144 2

Treating Ankle Pain

If left untreated, ankle pain can become chronic and may result in the development of other forms of severe foot pain. Here’s how to treat and prevent ankle pain:

Rectangle 1144 2

Causes of Hammertoes

A number of lifestyle factors are responsible for hammertoes. Here is what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hammertoes: