At North Jersey Podiatry we want to encourage our patients to take advantage of the bevy of beautiful vegetables and fruits available at local farmer’s markets and farm stands in New Jersey and their travels to other places this summer. You may not make the connection, but taking advantage of summer’s bounty can directly benefit your feet.

Maintain a healthy weight. Packing your plate with vegetables and fruits is one way to help lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Vegetables are low in calories and rich in nutrients and when you eat more of them, you are filling up on good food that won’t increase the number you see on the scale. Try to make sure more than half your plate is made up of produce and eat it first, before your protein and carbs. This will help you feel full faster and can prevent you from consuming too many high-calorie foods. Fruits and vegetables also make great snacks between meals.

Eat a rainbow palate. At this time of the year, it’s easy to find produce in many colors: bright green and yellow squash, purple jicama, red cherries and peppers, orange tomatoes and acorn squash. Nutritionists say that if you eat a rainbow variety of fruits and vegetables you’ll naturally end up with all the various nutrients you need for strong bones and muscles and a healthy immune system—all of which are valuable to your feet. Be sure not to add lots of high-fat salad dressings or sauces and cook vegetables by grilling or broiling (or eat them raw) rather than frying for maximum benefits.

Fight Inflammation. Arthritis, capsulitis, and plantar fasciitis are a few examples of podiatric disorders that have inflammation as one of the symptoms. There are several fruits and vegetables that are known to suppress or reduce an inflammatory response in the body. These include:

  • Berries
  • Onions and garlic
  • Beets
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Dark, leafy greens
  • Broccoli

Good nutrition is just one way to help improve the health of your feet. Our podiatrist, Dr. Paul G. Klein, will be happy to share additional information with you about how to be proactive in the care of your feet. To learn more, contact our Wayne office in New Jersey by calling: (973) 595-1555.