Vitiligo is a disease that can be emotionally and socially challenging to live with. It is a condition in which melanocytes start dying in your body. Melanocytes are the cells that give pigment to your skin. You will start noticing patches on your body with no colour. It is hard to recommend a diet for a person suffering from vitiligo but you can have good health if you add certain foods to your diet.
Start eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals and beta carotene that support a healthy immune system in body. Let’s look at foods that you should eat and what you should eat in moderation for health if you have vitiligo.
Beverages
The best beverage for good health is plain water. Drink plenty of water in a day up to 2-3 ltrs in a day. On weekends if you are taking alcohol then don’t choose sugar rich cocktails. You should also avoid drinking tea and coffee with sugar and avoid drinking sparkling water.
Healthy Fats
It is important that you eat healthy fats as they help in reducing cholesterol and triglycerides in body. Some of the key sources of healthy fats are nut butter, avocado and chia seeds. You can include them in your breakfast and they will also make you feel full for long hours.
Also read:
Foods To Eat If You Have Auto Immune Diseases
Fruits And Vegetables
You have to focus on eating foods that are rich in anti-oxidants like fruits and vegetables. Avoid eating starchy vegetables like potato and eat broccoli, asparagus, beets, Brussels sprouts, beans, spinach. Do not overcook your vegetables because it takes away nutrients from them. Eat fruits like oranges, melons, berries and apples.
Whole Grains
Avoid eating anything made from refined flour and eat whole grains like rice, oatmeal, quinoa, broken wheat. You can eat breads made from whole grains. Whole grains are rich in protein and fibre and they contain biotin which is good for health.
Protein
Look for healthy sources of protein like fatty fishes. They also contain good amount of Omega3 Fatty Acids that will lower inflammation in your body. It will also protect your heart and improve your over all body function.
Processed Foods
Processed foods increase inflammation in your body so you should avoid eating them. Processed or packaged foods have either very little or no nutritional value. They contain either high amount of sodium or sugar which is bad for your health.
Lean Poultry
If you eat meat then you should prefer eating lean poultry as they have very less amount of fat and they also contain zinc which is crucial for your body. Red meats are rich in fats which raises cholesterol level in your body.
Beans And Lentils
Beans and lentils are good sources of protein if you are vegetarian or vegan. They provide you with vital nutrients and help you in maintaining healthy weight. You can add them in your diet in form of soups or you can also explore Indian cuisine to learn creative ways to cook lentils.
