One of the most significant things you can do to protect your health is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. In fact, lifestyle choices and behaviors like eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly can prevent up to 80% of early heart disease and stroke. It can even reduce your joint pains, arthritis, and help you manage your diabetes.

Eating well can help you avoid long-term health problems like arthritis and type 2 diabetes.

Eating healthy food 

Contrary to what most people think, “diet” just means the types and amounts of food a person eats. No one food group can give the body everything it needs for good health, so a healthy diet must include a variety of foods from each group in the right amounts. Although treatments for conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and joint pains may include increasing physical activity, medication, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery. What’s often overlooked, however, is the role of nutrition in managing these conditions.

Ben Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” which is true. That is why here at Elite Physical Medicine, our team of doctors and nurse practitioners recommend patients to eat well and exercise regularly to keep their joints and bones strong.

Trying to get started on the path to a healthy diet? We asked our team of medical professionals from Elite Physical Medicine in Lawrenceburg, IN to find out what they typically consume to stay healthy:

Jamie B. (Case Manager): I try to limit my diet to three well-balanced meals per day and consume only nutritious carbohydrates. Specifically, I love eating black rice and sweet potatoes. They are my go-to carbs.

Ben Kasle (COO): I try to replace things with high sugar content with things that have less sugar content. I also drink a lot of water every day. And when I eat fruits and vegetables, I stick to the ones that have a darker color; because the more nutrients a fruit has, the darker it is. Like for example, the green that is the least healthy is iceberg lettuce, and the green that is the healthiest is spinach. Just simple and easy tips to keep in mind.

Sophia P. (Lead Rehab Tech): I love chocolates, especially dark chocolates. I know that heart disease is less likely to happen if you eat dark chocolate in moderation. My favorite ones are the Lindor Truffles.

Raspberries and dark chocolate 

Kaysie B. (X-ray technician): I do watch my carb intake and try to be conscious about it because your body uses carbs for fuel but too many of them can be a bad thing.

Brittanee G. (Reception): I like eating a salad for lunch with whatever protein and veggies I have. I just mix it with salt and pepper, light olive oil, and I have my lunch. Really simple and easy, but very healthy!

Dr. Scott Shelby (Chiropractic Physician): I try not to eat processed foods and stick to natural foods. I also like to eat eggs, whether they are hard-boiled, scrambled, or over easy…I like it all! They are simple to make, really delicious, and they’re full of protein. Who doesn't like eggs?

Whitney H. (Rehab Tech): Blueberries are the best source of antioxidants, so I eat them every morning. I feel like it gives me added energy to start my day. Also, they’re just so good.

Blueberries and strawberry 

Krisha Robbins (Nurse Practitioner): Protein is very important, so a protein shake is a good way to get through the busy days. I drink one every day (peanut butter flavor, of course) and it gives me the extra surge of energy and endurance that I need before I start working.

Emily S. (Rehab Tech): I prefer to eat fruits over candies, mostly because it has natural sugars instead of artificial ones. I love a lot of fruits, but my favorite fruit has to be strawberries.

Leah S. (Lead Receptionist): I like eating my veggies every day. Especially my asparagus. I just put some garlic, light salt, pepper, and olive oil on it and put it in the oven. Then, bam, I have a healthy meal. It’s delicious!

A person eating a salad 

Lastly, here’s an additional healthy tip if you’re experiencing diabetes, arthritis, and joint pain.

Patients with Diabetes

Keeping a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber from whole grains can help lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Patients with Arthritis

A diet full of whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and beans, but low in processed foods and saturated fat, is not only good for your health as a whole, but it can also help control the activity of some diseases.

Patients with Joint Pain

When it comes to reducing or getting rid of joint inflammation, try limiting your sugars and refined grains like white rice, pasta, and bread. When using sugar, choose natural sources like honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar.

Remember, what you eat plays a leading role in your health and well-being. If you want to reduce joint inflammation, lower the risk of getting heart diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and improve your overall health, food remedies may be the answer.

A healthy diet needs to have a balance of foods from different food groups since no one group can give the body everything it needs for good health. There is a lot of information out there, so it can be hard to come up with a good, healthy diet. Still, a few simple changes can make a diet healthier and less likely to cause many health problems.

Get the help you need

If you or someone you know has neuropathy from diabetes, arthritis, or joint pain, visit one of our Elite Physical Medicine clinics and get your consultation today.

And if you are experiencing any pain that is interfering with your quality of life, you can  schedule an evaluation at one of our clinics for safe, natural pain relief without harsh medications or invasive procedures.

Contact Elite Physical Medicine today or book an appointment online.

Elite Physical Medicine in Mason, OH