24 Gentle Food Swaps to Soothe Arthritis Pain Naturally

21. Trade Canned Beans for Soaked and Cooked Dried Beans/Legumes

Canned beans are convenient, but they often contain high levels of sodium and can sometimes be a source of BPA from can linings, both potentially pro-inflammatory. Swap them for dried beans and legumes that you soak and cook yourself. Soaking and cooking dried beans not only allows you to control the sodium content but also significantly reduces anti-nutrients like phytates, making them easier to digest and allowing for better nutrient absorption. This labor of love yields a cheaper, fresher, and genuinely more gut-friendly, anti-inflammatory protein source.

22. Replace Inflammatory Cooking Fats for Ghee or Avocado Oil

While olive oil is a great choice, some cooking methods require higher smoke points. Ditch inflammatory fats like vegetable shortening or regular butter (if sensitive) for ghee or avocado oil. Ghee, clarified butter, has its milk solids removed, making it easier for some to digest and offers a higher smoke point than butter. Avocado oil is extremely stable at high temperatures and rich in monounsaturated fats. These fats provide excellent alternatives for sautéing or roasting, ensuring your cooking methods don't inadvertently contribute to inflammation.