I have heard that night shade veggies should be avoided. Are you getting enough protein?Are you going Vegan? Or have you increased your dairy consumption? How about carbs?Sugar is for sure inflammatory just because of the way you process it. Carbs are sugar, yes, even whole grains. Make sure you take a full view of what you are eating and maybe try selective elimination takes about a month to see any true changes through diet.

Thank you Jmom2many. I am going to try the elimination process and see what it is I am eating that is bothering me. It may take awhile to figure out but I have nothing but time. Thank you for your input!

Peg, You can research the discussion history and find some pretty lively discussions about diet, supplements, etc. Personally for me I don't find anything with my diet that makes the inflammation better or worse. I pretty much eat what I want and like. I love tomatoes, potatoes, onions, etc. I like a good steak, and I drink milk and eat yogurt. Don't let yourself get too fixated with things like this, you will drive yourself crazy and I think stress is worse than just about anything. Just my 2 cents. Charlie

Thank you CharlieBa! Your right. The stress of worrying about stuff like this is what makes these flare up happen.

It's maddening to not know what's causing the inflammation -- sometimes there is a clear cut pattern (like every time I eat ice cream or corn I feel worse) -- other times it's not so clear. The best thing to do is keep a food journal and track how you feel for 4-5 days AFTER you eat something--it can take that long to show up. You might want to try a food rotation sort of diet--so if you eat apples today, don't eat them again for 4-5 days and see if that makes you feel any better.
Good luck!

for me ice cream ALWAYS makes me feel better!!!!!!

There are times I can't eat anything but ice cream. I think I think in line with Charlie---Stress for sure is a trigger for me, and trying to eat just the right things makes me too stressed--esp on the days I can't eat anything but soup or ice cream!!
We all have to find the way that works for us.

hang in there!! Marianne

OMG, I recently ran out of those pills that let me eat ice cream (I'm lactose intolerant?) and have been forgetting to pick them up. I just got up on my feet to go over to the freezer and stare longingly at my ice cream which I can't have right now.

I started craving ice cream and bananas (banana malts anyone??!!) when I started all the RA meds. The only other times I craved this was when I was pregnant!! I really believe its my body letting me know I am lacking certain vitamins (calcium and potassium). I have been told too that if you crave sugary items one may be short on vitamin C. Anyone else have cravings equalling vitamin shortages??!!
Be happy and health all :)

Hey Jmom,

So glad you asked this question. I've been hearing that the alkaloids in the nighshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cayenne, etc) inhibits collagen & cartilage repair. I'm taking Mvalere's advise and starting a food journal this Monday. Will let you know how it goes.

Best Regards,
Naynie

Something else to think about regarding healthy eating..... My great aunt was not feeling well and her memory was slipping this past winter. They found that at all her meals she was eating dessert only. When they changed her back to eating her other food (by not giving her dessert), her health came back along with her memory. She is sharp as a tac!! Please know she just turned 104 and has only lives in assisted living! Eat health all!!!! :)

Good topic, finding that balance. It would be fun to see how each of us respond to certain foods.

We can all keep tract this week, and compare notes on Fri. What do you all thing?

Pegzo,
If making dietary changes is stressful for you don't bother. The food diary is a wonderful idea! If you want to pursue that direction. A lot of people though make big mistakes when they give up meat. Just make sure you are still eating a balanced diet. So many people fill the meat gap with carbs. That could back fire on you.