Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints, which leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are different kinds of arthritis. The main ones are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis symptoms are not exclusive to joint pain and swelling. You can also experience fatigue and fever. Being obese puts you at a higher risk for arthritis so it’s best to stick to a nutritious diet and maintain a healthy weight.

That’s not the only way food can impact your arthritis. Here are some foods that can trigger rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:

1. Processed foods
Processed foods are foods that have undergone a chemical process. Because processed foods like chips, sugary cereals, ketchup, and hot dogs are high in trans fat, they should not be included in an arthritis diet. Trans fats help preserve processed foods, but also stimulate inflammation.

2. Omega-6 fatty acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are an essential fat, but too much of anything isn’t healthy. This is especially true if you have arthritis. Too many omega-6 fatty acids can increase inflammation, contributing to arthritis pain. Omega-6 can be found in eggs, nuts, seeds, and oils.

3. Red meats
Since red meats are high in omega-6 fatty acids they should be left out of your diet if you have arthritis. They also contain a high amount of saturated fat. A high intake of meat in general contributes to inflammation, but lean cuts are okay in moderation.

3. Sugar and sugar alternatives
Sugary foods trigger the release of proteins called cytokines. Cytokines can cause an inflammatory response. Cakes, cookies, donuts, fruit juices, and candy should be avoided. Certain sugar alternatives are also responsible for causing inflammation. The body cannot properly process ingredients like aspartame, found in sugar substitutes. Since aspartame is a neurotoxin the body will attack it, resulting in inflammation.

4. Alcohol
Over-consumption of alcohol poses many health risks. One of those risks is that it can promote chronic inflammation. The liver plays a part in decreasing cytokines in the gut, and alcohol can interfere with that. Alcohol should be left out of an arthritis diet.

5. Cheese and high fat dairy products
Dairy is another food that is not very arthritis friendly. Saturated fats are abundant in cheese, especially. Saturated fat can lead to inflammation. High fat dairy products like cream cheese and whole milk should be avoided to prevent joint pain. However, fermented dairy products like Greek yogurt are anti-inflammatory.

6. Fried foods
French fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks, while delicious, are also foods that will trigger an inflammatory response in your body. Fried foods have had all their nutrients destroyed and contain processed ingredients and should be eliminated from your diet to avoid arthritis flare ups.

Living with chronic pain can hinder the quality of your life, so a healthy diet is a must in treating arthritis pain.