7 Eating Tips to Decrease Your Risk of Lupus

We know that eating a diet that’s high in sugar and processed foods is bad for your health and can lead to serious diseases like diabetes and heart disease, but there are also some foods and chemicals found in processed foods that have been linked to an increased risk of developing leaky gut (intestinal permeability) which can lead to lupus and other autoimmune diseases. With tips from prevention.com, we’ve compiled a list of ways to avoid these foods.

MORE: Eating these foods can help you get your daily dose of vitamin D.

Go Easy on Salt and Sugar

Buying whole foods instead of packaged and processed foods means that you can control the amount of salt and sugar you consume. While both are great flavor enhancers, you only need a small sprinkle of either to get the desired effects. Choosing unsalted and unsweetened food will allow you to track how much salt and sugar is in your diet, and allow you to choose healthier options like Himalayan salt instead of table salt, or organic honey instead of cane sugar.

Avoid Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are used in processed foods to give them a creamier texture without using dairy products, so can often be found in non-diary ice cream, salad dressings, and even almond milk. Check the labels of products and avoid items which have the word “gum” after them. Two of the main offenders are lecithin and carrageenan.

Processed Meats

Processed meats such as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, imitation crab and other types of foods where the meat glue “microbial transglutaminase” has been used should be avoided. Stick to whole pieces of meat such as cuts of steak, chicken breasts, fillets of fish etc.

MORE: Six tips for newly diagnosed lupus patients.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and crackers can mess with blood sugar levels. In addition, nearly all of these products contain gluten which can often cause other health problems. Choose alternative grains such as quinoa, amaranth, and millet.

Avoid Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a nanoparticle often used in paper and plastic packaging so it pays to decant products into glass jars when you get back from the grocery store. However, these nanoparticles are also used to help keep certain foods looking white, so can often be found in frosting, candies, and gum.

Build Up Resistance to Fermented Foods

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut and lacto-fermented pickles are very good for gut health but you need to build up a resistance to them first as they can cause bloating and gas.

Boost Gut Health

Turn to foods known to boost gut health to avoid developing leaky gut. Think probiotic foods like kefir, kimchi, yogurt and tempeh. Alcohol, on the other hand, is not good for gut health so you should limit the amount you consume.

MORE: Learn about some of the common symptoms which could indicate you have lupus.

Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.