At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know many of our Middlesex County patients try to put better eating habits into practice for 2021. We are supportive of this plan! Healthy eating has several benefits to your feet as well as the rest of your body:

• Helps you maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can cause or worsen several podiatric conditions, including heel pain, sesamoiditis, and arthritis.
• Shedding pounds makes it easier to be more active. Exercise and healthy eating go hand in hand. When you weigh less, it’s easier to move more, and the more you move the more weight you’re likely to lose. Being physically active also helps keep joints flexible and improves circulation.
• A well-rounded, nutritious diet means your body will get all the nutrients it needs. Some essential vitamins and minerals can improve foot health, such as calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones and vegetables and fruits that produce anti-inflammatory reactions, a key feature of several painful foot and ankle disorders.

Take Little Bites

Long-lasting weight loss takes time, however. It’s important to set small goals and not overwhelm yourself by overhauling your diet all at once completely. Below are some easy changes to make. Choose one or two, and once they become habitual, add a couple of more.

• Swap water for sugary sodas, juices, and sports drinks. You may not realize just how many calories you’re drinking! This one easy substitution can save you hundreds of calories a day.
• Cut carbs from one meal. Think about what carbs you really wouldn’t miss. Can you enjoy an egg with some fruit instead of toast or add an extra vegetable or salad to your dinner in place of potato or rice?
• Shrink your plate. Use a smaller plate for your food, and you’ll naturally cut down portion size. Resolve not to have seconds!
• Have a small, healthy snack before dinner. Your mom may have said snacking will spoil your appetite, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing! A glass of vegetable juice, a small salad or bowl of bouillon, or low-calorie soup about a half-hour before your meal may cause you to eat less at dinner.

If you have questions about lifestyle choices that affect your podiatric health, don’t hesitate to ask our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas.  Contact our Cromwell office by calling (860-632-5499).