Nutrition Tips To Help Foot And Leg Swelling

Leg and foot swelling are very common occurrences that can arise for a number of different reasons. This type of swelling occurs when the legs, including the feet, start swelling or becoming puffier and redder in appearance.

Behind leg and foot swelling

This type of painless swelling usually occurs within the legs, including the ankles, calves, thighs and feet. Gravity causes fluid to build up within the legs and feet, since the fluid naturally directs to the lowest parts of the body. Edema is a term used to describe abnormal swelling in the legs and feet, particularly swelling from water retention.

In terms of water retention, fluid buildup within the body is a common cause of leg and foot swelling. It typically develops from prolonged sitting and standing, injuries or poor health (overweight or obese). Sometimes, this swelling may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a blood clot or cardiovascular disease.

In order to get leg and foot swelling under control, it’s recommended to make certain changes to your diet to target nutritional issues that may be causing the swelling.

Nutrition tips for reducing leg and food swelling

Leg and foot swelling happens throughout the year, though it has a tendency to affect more people during the summer months. Despite that, making these dietary changes all year can significantly help reduce leg and foot swelling.

Reduce sugar in your diet. Sugar actually causes the body to hold more water than it needs to hold. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet is as simple as replacing sugary foods with, well, non-sugary versions and omitting sugar from staples like coffee and tea.

Reduce salt in your diet. Salt is notorious for making you feel thirsty, and when you get thirsty, you pretty much add more water to your body. Lots of foods contain salt, so it’s up to you to read food labels and watch your salt intake.

Reduce starch in your diet. Starch more or less adds more sugar to your body, which may make your body retain water. Much like sugar and salt, it’s important to monitor your intake of starchy foods like breads and some grains in order to avoid ‘priming’ your body for fluid retention.