March is National Nutrition Month. At Patrick Fettinger, DPM, we know many of our Fairfield County patients may not make the connection between nutritious eating and good podiatric health. However, your dietary choices impact the condition of your feet and consequently your ability to live an active life. Here’s what to do if you want feet that are:
Strong
Our feet must bear the weight of our entire body as we walk. When we run, the impact on our feet is three times the amount of our weight. There are 26 bones in each of your feet, and to keep them as strong as possible, you need to ensure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D (which helps your body absorb the calcium). Although dairy products are the number one source of dietary calcium, you can also find it in the dark, leafy greens, canned salmon and sardines, seeds (poppy, sesame, chia, etc.), and certain beans and lentils. You can also look for foods fortified with calcium and vitamin D like cereals, juices, and breads.
Inflammation Free
The source of pain for so many podiatric problems like heel pain is inflammation. The foods you choose can either increase or decrease inflammation. Avoid fried and processed foods and sugars to reduce the inflammatory response. Some foods that fight inflammation include berries, avocados, fatty fish, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.
Disease Resistant
Several systemic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease can cause serious medical problems in your feet. Peripheral neuropathy and decreased circulation are two examples. Avoiding sugar, saturated fats, and excess amounts of sodium while maintaining a nutritious diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can significantly lower your risk for these and other diseases.
Able to Take You Where You Want to Go
We all want to move freely and enjoy a variety of physical activities that are made possible by healthy feet. We need mobility to perform the basic tasks of living and working. One of the best ways to achieve this through your diet is getting to and maintaining a healthy weight.
To find out if a dietary approach may help a podiatric condition that you’re dealing with, consult our podiatrist, Dr. Patrick J. Fettinger. You can contact our New Fairfield (203-746-9660) or Middlebury (203-598-0357) office to make an appointment