Diets

• Not every food will cause the symptoms of RA to flare up. An elimination diet helps patients find the foods that may cause an adverse reaction in their condition. The elimination diet pinpoints food intolerances that cause problems without your knowledge.
  
  Ask your doctor to help you with your elimination diet. The doctor can help you to keep track of your symptoms and food journal to make changes that may improve your condition. Food intolerances are irritants or food allergies that are different for every patient. Some of the more common foods that cause reactions in patients may be eliminated first on your diet such as dairy, peanuts, wheat, eggs, soy, tomatoes, corn and fish. Monitor your symptoms as you remove each food from your diet to determine if there is an improvement.
  
  

Nutrition

• A healthy well balanced diet keeps your weight under control, which can avoid excess pressure on the joints. A good diet also gives your body all the nutrients that it needs for healthy functioning. Protein is an important nutrient for tissue repair and should not be limited on your diet.
  
  Work with your doctor or nutritionist to create a balanced eating plan for your needs. According to the Mayo Clinic, fish oil may be able to help relieve the pain and stiffness of RA. You can include fish oil in your diet by eating oily fish such as mackerel, tuna and salmon or you can use a fish oil supplement. Discuss with this your doctor to avoid any interactions with your medications.
  
  

Veganism

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some patients have relieved RA symptoms by consuming a vegan diet. The reports show that these patients switched from a Western diet with animal protein to a vegan diet that derives protein from plant sources.
  
  Ask your doctor about switching to a vegan diet to help your RA symptoms. On a vegan diet, it is important that you include plant sources of protein to avoid malnutrition and other health concerns. The diet can be very healthy if it is well balanced and includes all of the nutrients that your body needs.