Overview
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause itchy patches, known as plaques, that can form on the skin. If your child has psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe medication and other treatments. They may also suggest some lifestyle changes.
Eating a nutritious diet is important for your baby’s skin health and overall well-being. In some cases, dietary changes can help improve the symptoms of psoriasis or reduce the risk of developing other health conditions.
Read on to learn more about psoriasis and diet in children.
Psoriasis In Children And Diet
No food can cure psoriasis, but some people know that certain foods can cause psoriasis symptoms. If you find that certain foods are related to your child’s symptoms of psoriasis, avoiding these stimuli can help limit the flare-up.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes inflammation in the body. Eating a balanced diet with fresh, nutritious foods can help reduce this inflammation.
A balanced diet can also help keep your baby’s weight in moderation. Obese children are more likely to develop psoriasis, and obesity is associated with more psoriasis symptoms. People with psoriasis and obesity also have an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
If your child is obese, he may recommend a change in his eating or exercise habits to prevent weight gain and help with healthy growth. Children should not be given a weight loss diet without the help of a healthcare professional.
Foods To Avoid Eating
Limiting food intake to saturated fats, trans fats, and extra sugars has health benefits for any child, including children with psoriasis.
Some other foods can trigger psoriasis symptoms in some children, but not in others.
Tell your child’s doctor if you think certain foods may be irritating. A doctor or registered nutritionist can help you identify and eliminate food stimuli while ensuring that your child’s nutritional needs are being met.
Fast Foods And Highly Processed Foods
Fast and highly processed foods are often high in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugar. Even better grains are less nutritious.
Limiting these doses can help reduce your child’s risk:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
Examples of these foods include:
- Soda, fruit cartons, and other sweet drinks
- Candy, cookies, cakes and other sweets
- Fried and spicy foods
- Highly processed packaged foods
These foods are high in calories with some vitamins, minerals or fiber. Try to limit them to occasional invitations.
Not sure if packaged food is overly processed or unhealthy? Check out the list of ingredients.
According to a reliable source from the Food and Drug Administration, foods containing 20% or more of the daily value for extra sugars are considered a high source of extra sugars. Foods that contain 20% or more of the daily value of sodium are considered high in sodium.
Saturated And Trans Fats
Red meat (especially processed meats such as bacon and hot dogs) and whole dairy products are high in saturated fat. 2020 Reliable source research shows that a diet high in saturated fat can worsen psoriasis symptoms.
Therefore, it may be helpful to limit the amount of saturated fat in your child’s diet.
For babies over 2 years old, choose low-fat dairy products and serve lean, lightly chopped meats. Choose foods that are high in lean protein and unsaturated fats, such as poultry and fish.
Gluten
Some children with psoriasis may benefit from a gluten-free diet.
Gluten is a group of proteins found in some grains, such as wheat, barley and rye. These are common ingredients in cereal foods such as:
- Bread
- Pasta
- Cookies and other baked goods
According to the 2018 recommendations, a reliable source from the Neurosurgery Foundation Medical Board, a psoriasis and adult diet, eating a gluten-free diet can help improve psoriasis symptoms in people with gluten sensitivity. However, studies have not found the benefits of following a gluten-free diet for people without gluten sensitivity.
A 2017 review, a reliable source, found that people with psoriasis have three times more celiac disease than people with psoriasis.
If your child has gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, they may experience the following symptoms after eating with gluten:
- Stomach pain
- Bloating and gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
If you think your child may have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, talk to your doctor.
Do not eliminate gluten from your child’s diet without first talking to your doctor or dietitian. They can help you learn how to safely adjust your baby’s diet while meeting your nutritional needs.
Foods That We Eat
To promote overall health, doctors encourage children to eat a variety of nutrient-free foods, especially:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Whole Grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Lean Protein And Milk
These foods are a staple of the Mediterranean diet. Samples of this food include:
- Many plant-based foods and seafood
- Moderate amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy products
- Less red meat, refined grains, added sugar, and other highly processed foods
- Olive oil is the main source of fat
Following a Mediterranean diet can help your child reduce their risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The Mediterranean diet contains many nutritious foods and can help ensure that your child is getting the nutrients he or she needs for maximum health.
Although these findings have been contradictory, some research from a 2017 trust source suggests that orega-3 fatty acid supplements may be beneficial for people with psoriasis. Fatty fish is a good source of omega-3, as well as other nutrients that are important for your baby’s health.
Do not give your child an omega-3 supplement unless recommended by your child’s healthcare team.
Plant-Based Foods
Encourage your child to eat a variety of plant-based foods, including:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Beans, such as beans, peas, and lentils
- Nuts & seeds, like walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds & flax seeds
- Whole grains, for example whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa and oats
Plant foods, including fruits & vegetables are very rich sources of antioxidant compounds. This can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Fish And Seafood
Enrich your child’s diet with fish and other shellfish, which are excellent sources of protein and, in many cases, omega-3 fatty acids.
The following fish are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
- Salmon
- Trout
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Sardines
- Tuna
Fish oil supplements and other omega 3 fatty acid supplements are also available for children. Talk to your child’s doctor before giving him any extra dose.
Lean Protein Sources
Meet your child’s protein needs by limiting the amount of saturated fat in your diet by including lean sources of protein. In addition to fish, other sources of protein are:
- No chicken or chicken breasts
- Soy products, such as tofu
- Beans, peas and lentils
- Low-fat dairy products (whole dairy products are recommended for babies under 2 years old)
Promote Healthy Eating Habits
To encourage your child to eat more nutritious foods:
- Inform your child about the benefits of a varied and balanced diet.
- Build healthy habits by adding a variety of nutritious foods to your breakfast and lunch.
- Stock up on your fridge and pantry with easy-to-eat nutritious snacks.
- Fresh fruit
- Chopped vegetables with hummus
- Whole grain cracker with nut butter
- Low fat yogurt (but watch out for extra sugar)
- Involve your child in gardening, grocery shopping, menu planning, cooking, or other food-related activities. When they participate in its preparation, they may be more willing to try new foods.
- Limit your intake of sugary and fatty foods to breakfast occasionally, but don’t make these foods devilish. Implementing strict eating guidelines can negatively affect your child’s physical image and relationship with food.
Promote Exercise
In addition to a balanced diet, physical activity is important for your child’s health.
Daily routine exercise may help to reduce your risk of developing it.
- obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
It can also reduce stress and improve your mental health, which can help prevent psoriasis.
According to a reliable source from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children between the ages of 3 and 5 should be physically active throughout the day. Children, having age 6 and over 6 should be physically active for at least 60 minutes in a whole day.