3 Reasons to Celebrate National Nutrition Month
What you eat matters to your feet! At Goldsmith Podiatry, we think National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to share some information with our Manhattan patients on how dietary choices can directly impact the condition of your feet. Below are three essential ways food can improve your podiatric health:
Help you maintain a healthy weight—let’s face it, when it comes to weight, no part of your body carries more than your lower extremities. Knees, ankles, and feet can all suffer when carrying extra pounds. In fact, every pound you gain puts 3-5 more pounds of pressure on your knees and feet. That’s why many common podiatric conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and flat feet are worse by being overweight. Not ready for a complete diet overhaul? Try some of these simple suggestions for incorporating healthier eating habits:
Add instead of subtract. Instead of trying to eliminate foods deemed “unhealthy,” focus on adding more vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains to your diet. You’ll feel fuller with these healthy additions and will start to consume fewer calories overall.
Make some smart swaps. Flavored seltzer for sugary soda, Greek yogurt with fruit, and a bit of honey instead of a breakroom muffin, a side salad instead of French fries are just a few ways to cut calories and boost your energy levels.
Use a smaller plate. Resist going back for seconds! Simply switching to a smaller plate will reduce the amount of food you can put on it!
2. Fight inflammation—did you know there are foods that actually increase or reduce your body’s inflammatory response? Inflammation is what’s often responsible for pain in your feet and ankles. Avoid sugars, fried and processed foods, and add more berries, omega-3 foods like salmon, nuts and flax seeds, olive oil, and dark leafy greens like kale and spinach.
3. Build stronger bones—about a quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet. Your diet can provide the necessary amounts of calcium and vitamin D for building and maintaining bone strength. If you’re not a fan of calcium-rich dairy products like yogurt and milk, add more broccoli, kale, seeds, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash to your menus.
Enjoying a healthy diet is one way to be proactive in the care of your feet. If you have concerns about your podiatric health, don’t hesitate to contact our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002 to arrange a consultation with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, or Dr. Kristina Ruff.