Categories
Search

Neuropathy management – Top 4 foods to avoid

Neuropathy management – Top 4 foods to avoid

Eating healthy foods and getting the right nutrients are important for maintaining a healthy metabolism and supporting vital organ functions. Food is fuel for the body. However, the types of foods and beverages consumed lack essential nutrients and cause health conditions. For example, many foods can worsen symptoms of chronic conditions like neuropathy, which is why eating the right foods is essential. Here are the top foods to avoid for neuropathy:

  • Sugary snacks like chocolates
    Excess sugar consumption can dangerously spike blood glucose levels and trigger complications like diabetes-related flare-ups linked to neuropathy. In fact, hyperglycemia is one of the main causes of neuropathy. This is why one must eliminate sugar or moderately consume sweets like chocolates and pastries, starchy foods like potatoes, and simple carbohydrates like fruit juice concentrate. These food groups lead to an insulin imbalance, causing blood glucose to spike. Even condiments like artificial sweeteners and beverages like fruit juices and flavored sodas should be eliminated to manage neuropathy better.
  • Salty foods like potato chips
    High sodium levels in the bloodstream can restrict blood flow and trigger numbness in certain areas where neuropathy affects the limbs. Limiting salt consumption and avoiding processed foods that contain excess salt, including potato chips, fatty foods, fried foods, deli meats, and canned foods preserved in a salt base, is recommended. Anything bought off the shelves in the supermarket can worsen the symptoms linked to neuropathy.
  • Trans fats foods like processed meat
    Fatty foods are the main triggers of inflammation that worsen the pain, numbness, and tingling sensations linked to different types of neuropathies. Most cuts of processed meat, organ meats, dairy products, and prepackaged foods bought from the supermarket contain excess saturated and trans fats. Trans fats are found in tasty deep-fried snacks and condiments, and their excess consumption can increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. These complications, in turn, worsen neuropathy symptoms.
  • Gluten-rich foods like pasta
    Gluten is a common protein found in processed foods and staple foods like bread and pasta. Those with neuropathy are at an added risk of developing gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or food allergies due to regular consumption. Therefore, it is better to avoid any sources of gluten to prevent symptoms from flaring up. Even refined grains are simple carbohydrates that get digested easily and lead to a spike in glucose levels that causes rapid changes in the metabolism. It is recommended to switch to whole grains to avoid such flare-ups and problems.