Diet

What we eat has a huge impact on our health. It is known that certain foods can trigger a flare-up of symptoms. Eating a healthy diet helps to maintain good health generally and helps boost your immune system. There is a common connection between psoriasis and diet but there is no dietary cure. Diet alone does not prevent psoriasis however try to avoid the foods you know aggravate your symptoms.

All diets need to be healthy and balanced. It is important to control weight, stop smoking and limit alcohol intake. It is essential to drink plenty of water, at least two litres a day, and to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. The amount of sugar and fat consumed should be limited. Taking a good multi vitamin tablet and zinc tablet daily can help to control psoriasis.

Eat a variety of foods so that your body absorbs all the essential nutrients that it needs in order to function properly. The essential nutrients we need come from a variety of meats, fruit, vegetables, dairy and grain products: providing carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

By eating regularly you are steadily fuelling your body thus keeping it functioning properly which in turn will help maintain your energy levels. Prepare healthy snacks to take to work or outings to minimise the urge to eat "junk" foods.

By maintaining a healthy weight you will feel good both physically and emotionally – your GP will advise you on your healthy weight.

Avoid those foods which cause your symptoms to worsen. The following foods often aggravate the symptoms of psoriasis: