Your feet are a crucial mode of transportation, and if you have any pain or discomfort, you know what a burden it can be for day-to-day activities. You might be surprised to learn that your diet can affect the health of your feet and that proper nutrition is an important component of good foot care. If you’re experiencing foot pain on its own or related to certain health conditions, here are some foods to eat — and some you should avoid.

4 Foods That Affect the Health of Your Feet

1. Dairy

There are 26 bones in the human foot, and each one plays an important role in keeping you on the move. Take care of them all with foods rich in calcium like cheese, yogurt, and milk. If cholesterol is a concern, choose low-fat versions of these dairy products.

2. Sugar

Foods that are high in sugar can cause inflammation throughout the body, including in the foot’s 33 joints. Inflammation in just one of these joints can make walking and exercise painful. Avoiding sugar will also help you avoid diabetes, which can reduce blood flow to extremities and cause serious foot issues.

3. Bananas

If you frequently get foot cramps, try eating more bananas, which are high in potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte, which you need to consistently replace to avoid muscle cramping, especially if you’re an athlete. Don’t care for bananas? Add more potassium-rich spinach or avocado to your diet.  

4. Salmon

Salmon contains omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation. People who have joint pain or plantar fasciitis can benefit from foods that contain these nutrients. If you don’t like fish, you can get your omega-3s through fish oil supplements, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans.

Ready to get relief from your foot pain? Turn to Choice Podiatry Associates in the greater Cincinnati, OH, area. The foot care clinic has three convenient locations in Bridgetown, Reading, and Kenwood so you’re never too far from an outstanding foot doctor. These podiatrists are at the forefront of foot care, offering custom treatment plans for everything from plantar fasciitis to diabetic-related foot conditions. Call (513) 574-2424 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about how diet affects your foot care. To research more of their services, visit them online.