A Checklist of Common Foods That Can Trigger Psoriasis

Psoriasis is commonly triggered by factors including stress, smoking, taking certain prescription medications, and spending time in cold, dry environments. But many who suffer from this immune disorder say that certain foods also trigger psoriasis, and that avoiding these foods improves their symptoms. Eliminating these “trigger” foods from your diet one by one can help you identify and avoid the foods causing your flare-ups.

Use the Loma Lux Symptom Checklist to help you identify foods that affect your psoriasis. This exclusive checklist helps you track the places on your body where symptoms occur, the foods that trigger symptoms, and details about the severity of symptoms. Look for patterns, and show this checklist to your doctor when discussing psoriasis treatments.

Here’s a list of foods known to commonly trigger psoriasis.

Alcohol

Alcohol is suspected to worsen psoriasis by increasing inflammation and dilating the blood vessels in your skin in a way that accelerates the onset of symptoms. Plus, alcohol can negate the effects of many psoriasis treatments, including medications. Stop drinking alcohol completely and take note of whether your psoriasis improves.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits including grapefruit, lemons, limes, and oranges are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that can boost the immune system for good overall health. However, these fruits are also common allergens that can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. If you find that these superfoods don’t worsen your symptoms, keep them in your diet to benefit from their many nutrients.

Gluten

Rye, wheat, and barley grains are gluten sources that can worsen psoriasis if you suffer allergies or intolerance to this type of protein. Gluten is commonly found in bread, pastries, and other foods made with grain-based flour and ingredients. Talk to your doctor about being screened for gluten intolerance prior to cutting this ingredient from your diet, since gluten-free diets can often be difficult to sustain and manage.

Dairy

Dairy products made with cow’s milk, such as sour cream, butter, and cheese, contain acids and enzymes that have been linked to inflammation. Start omitting dairy products from your diet, and try substituting it with almond milk or coconut milk.

Red Meats

Fatty red meats – particularly processed meats like sausage, bacon, hot dogs, and most deli meats – are loaded with compounds that drive inflammation. Replace all red meats in your diet with white meats such as chicken and turkey, which offer no known risks associated with psoriasis.

Junk Foods

Fried foods, fast food, candy bars, and other junk foods are packed with refined sugars, starches, and unhealthy fats that trigger inflammation as well as metabolic syndrome, which is linked to problems with obesity and heart disease. Reduce your intake of junk food and eat more foods that may improve your psoriasis symptoms.

Nightshade Plants

Plants from the nightshade family, including tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, contain a compound called solanine, known to worsen inflammation in psoriasis patients. However, just like citrus fruits, many nightshade plants offer nutritional benefits, so avoid cutting these foods from your diet unless they trigger symptoms.

Peanuts and Walnuts

Like citrus fruits and dairy products, peanuts and walnuts are common allergens and can trigger inflammation in psoriasis patients. However, not all nuts are necessarily bad for those with psoriasis; almonds and Brazil nuts have been shown to improve symptoms in some cases.

Visit our Psoriasis Learning Center to learn more about this chronic immune system condition, common psoriasis triggers, and tips on how to manage psoriasis with nutrition. Psoriasis can be effectively treated using Loma Lux® Psoriasis, which is clinically proven to attack psoriasis from the inside out and relieve symptoms of scaling, itching, and inflammation.