What should be the diet for psoriasis: principles, rules and sample menu

Diet for psoriasis is an essential component of complex treatment. Carefully designed therapeutic regimens will not help eliminate painful symptoms if the patient does not adjust his diet. Proper nutrition for psoriasis will allow you to achieve stable remission - a period without exacerbations. Excluding certain foods from the weekly menu helps strengthen the immune system and cleanse the body of toxic substances.

Nutrition for psoriasis: what are its features?

It is believed that important prerequisites for the development of psoriasis are metabolic disorders, improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal imbalance and dietary errors. Therefore, it is extremely important to take a responsible approach to creating a menu that will provide the body with the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. In addition, proper nutrition for psoriasis implies an increase in the body's defenses, since a strong immune system copes better with the factors that provoke the manifestations of the disease.

The diet for patients with psoriasis involves a number of very strict restrictions. At the same time, it sufficiently supplies the body with the necessary substances and vitamins, and if used correctly, does not affect performance. Therapeutic nutrition for psoriasis is a balanced, proper diet that helps improve your health and increase periods of remission.

Oatmeal porridge with dried fruits

Oatmeal porridge is prepared as quickly as possible, and adding dried fruits to the dish increases the content of the most essential microelements and vitamins in the body.
Required ingredients:

• oatmeal - half a glass;
• a glass of boiling water;
• dried fruits - the healthiest ones are dried apricots, dried prunes, dark raisins;
• butter;
• salt and sugar.

Cooking steps:

1. Wash a handful of dried fruits well and cut into small pieces.
2. Pour boiling water over the flakes and mix with dried fruits.
3. Season the porridge with sugar, butter and salt, keep on fire for 3-5 minutes and turn off the stove.

Before eating, the porridge should sit for at least 15 minutes.

Diet for psoriasis: table of foods allowed for consumption

Zucchini soup

The dish prepared according to the recipe turns out to be delicate in taste, aromatic, nutritious and at the same time low in calories.
Required ingredients:

• two medium-sized zucchini (preferably fresh harvest);
• potatoes in the amount of 5–7 tubers;
• ginger - a teaspoon of grated root;
• fresh or dry greens (parsley, cilantro, green celery shoots are more suitable for puree soup);
• bay leaf, cardamom, salt;
• grated mild cheese;
• liter of water.

Cooking steps:

1. Wash the vegetables, peel and cut into small cubes.
2. Boil water and pour the vegetable base into it.
3. Heat grated ginger in a frying pan with a spoon of vegetable oil and pour into already soft vegetables.
4. After one minute, the vegetable broth is poured into a clean bowl, and the remaining mixture is ground in a blender.
5. Add vegetable broth to the mashed vegetables until the desired soup consistency is obtained.
6. Season the soup with salt, spices, chopped herbs, then bring to a boil again.
7. Before eating, the soup should sit for at least half an hour.
8. Cheese is added to the puree soup poured into plates.

In the recipe, zucchini can be replaced with squash or pumpkin pulp. From time to time, you can prepare different versions of dishes depending on the availability of vegetables in the house.

Pegano diet for psoriasis

Dr. John Pegano is an osteopath who has successfully treated skin diseases using the nutritional system he developed. For many years he worked to create an optimal diet to help patients reduce the symptoms of the disease - and he succeeded. John Pegano released a book dedicated to the diet he developed, called “Treating Psoriasis - The Natural Way.” The doctor spoke with her at scientific and popular seminars in different countries, took part in television and radio programs, thanks to which a large number of people learned about his method.

How is the Pegano system fundamentally different from drug treatment of psoriasis? Dr. Pegano was a proponent of the belief that the human body is capable of fighting pathological processes on its own, without the help of drugs. To do this, the patient must comply with certain requirements: eat right, detoxify and have a positive inner attitude.

The main principle of proper nutrition according to Pegano for psoriasis is maintaining an optimal acid-base balance in the blood, which becomes possible through the consumption of certain foods, avoiding junk food and following a diet. According to Pegano, an important prerequisite for the development of psoriasis is excessive blood acidity. Therefore, in the case of eating foods that contribute to alkalization, a noticeable improvement in the patient’s condition is observed. The ratio of alkali-forming and acid-forming foods in the diet menu for psoriasis according to Pegano should be approximately 2:8. That is, 20% of permitted products should account for 80% of mandatory ones.

According to Pegano, the main focus when treating psoriasis with diet should be on fruits, vegetables (except nightshade vegetables), freshly squeezed juices, herbs and clean still water. Despite the fact that some of these foods taste sour (for example, citrus fruits), this should not bother you: once they enter the body, they still increase the alkali content in the blood.

Acid-forming foods should also be present in the diet, but in much smaller quantities. These mainly include protein foods (meat, fish, dairy products, legumes), as well as simple carbohydrates (sweets, refined sugar, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, vinegar).

The food products that are strictly prohibited from an effective diet for psoriasis include alcoholic beverages, coffee, preservatives, carbonated drinks, tomatoes and their juice, eggplants, fried, spicy, salted and smoked foods.

During the diet for psoriasis according to Pegano, the menu for the week should begin with fasting days. Usually, 3-5 days are enough to cleanse the intestines. At this time, you can eat only fruits (usually apples or citrus fruits), supplementing them with enterosorbents. After the specified time has passed, the patient can begin consuming approved products. These include:

• Fresh vegetables and fruits (citrus fruits, watermelon, papaya, mango, melon, grapes, peach, pineapple, garlic, asparagus, spinach leaves, broccoli, parsley, asparagus, celery, zucchini, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, olives). Please note: do not combine citrus fruits with dairy products or grains.
• Cereals (wild rice, millet, wheat).
• Nuts (almonds).
• Bran.
• Whole wheat bread.
• Vegetable oils (especially olive oil).
• Porridges cooked in water.
• Lean meats (in limited quantities). It is advisable to give preference to lamb, poultry, and sometimes you can eat a small piece of pork.
• Fatty sea fish. Shellfish, crustaceans, and sushi are excluded.
• Dairy and lactic acid products (in limited quantities).

As for the drinking regime, it is advisable to drink about 1.5 liters of pure still water per day, as well as drink freshly squeezed juices, herbal teas, ginger and green tea.

You can start following the Pegano diet for psoriasis only after consulting a doctor. This limitation is explained by the large amount of plant foods and low animal protein content. For example, people who have problems with blood formation or allergies to citrus fruits are not recommended to follow such a diet.

If you really want the therapeutic hypoallergenic diet according to Pegano to help you during psoriasis, you need to not only adhere to the nutritional rules, but also comply with additional requirements. These include stopping smoking, taking medications (except for vital ones), reducing stressful situations and negative emotions, daily rest and relaxation, accompanied by reading your favorite books and listening to soothing music, performing feasible physical exercises aimed at strengthening the spinal column.

As for the duration of this diet, it is advisable to follow it for at least a month - only after this period the first results will become noticeable. If you want to reduce the time of exacerbation of the disease and prolong remissions, it is recommended to adhere to it throughout your life.

Due to its low calorie content and the presence of a large amount of vitamins obtained from fruits, vegetables and juices, following the Pegano diet for psoriasis not only helps reduce the manifestations of psoriasis, but also contributes to the overall health of the body. This nutrition system allows you to adjust your weight, get rid of extra pounds, and also improve your immunity.

Pumpkin and raisin porridge

The pumpkin dish prepared according to the recipe below is sweet, tender and nutritious.
It is useful to eat it for breakfast and dinner. Required ingredients:

• ripe pumpkin pulp – 500 g;
• rice – 2/3 cup;
• milk – 500 ml;
• raisins - half a glass;
• vanillin powder, salt.

Cooking steps:

1. First you need to rinse the rice and soak it in water for 2 hours.
2. The pumpkin pulp should be cut into small cubes or grated into strips.
3. The pan with the pumpkin needs to be filled halfway with water and put on fire.
4. Cook the pumpkin over low heat until it becomes soft.
5. The boiled pulp is kneaded and combined with milk.
6. Add prepared rice, sugar and a little salt to the pumpkin puree.
7. The container is placed on the stove again, the dish should simmer slowly.
8. 10–15 minutes before the rice is ready, pour a small amount of washed raisins and vanilla powder into the pan.
9. After cooking, butter (one or two tablespoons) is added to the porridge and the dish is placed in the oven for 15 minutes to bake.

Pumpkin porridge should definitely be on the menu of people with psoriasis who periodically experience problems with bowel movements. It is advisable to wash down the pumpkin dish with rosehip decoction and green tea.

Diet for psoriasis of the scalp and other parts of the body according to Ognevaya

Like John Pegano, Dr. Svetlana Mikhailovna Ogneva pays great attention to improving the acid-base balance of the body. The list of foods that are prohibited for psoriasis, according to her views, largely coincides with a similar list presented by Dr. Pegano. However, Ognevoy’s nutritional system is still somewhat different from that proposed by the American osteopath. What are its features?

• The duration of proper nutrition for psoriasis for a woman, man or child should be more than 3 months. Only during this time the body is able to cleanse itself of waste and toxins.
• It is forbidden to both overeat and starve.
• Once a week you need to have a fasting day.
• The consumption of any legumes is prohibited.
• It is advisable to avoid red meat.
• It is recommended to avoid eating fish roe (even among approved fish varieties).
• It is allowed to consume low-fat lactic acid products, but you should not drink cow's or goat's milk.
• The category of prohibited fruits includes citrus fruits, avocados, pomegranates, raspberries, wild strawberries and strawberries.
• The skin of the fruit must be cut off.
• When on a diet, it is advisable to avoid meat by-products (liver, kidneys, tongue, lungs, etc.)
• Patients with psoriasis will have to give up baked goods made from white flour.
• Sausages, frankfurters, sausages, smoked meats, balyki, margarine, butter, cream, cheese, vinegar - all these products are classified as forbidden.
• Any sweets are strictly prohibited - cakes, pastries, chocolates, sugar, sweet carbonated drinks.
• Dr. Ogneva recommends supplementing the diet for psoriasis with the use of alkaline mineral waters, herbal decoctions and teas. At the same time, all alcoholic drinks, cocoa and coffee are strictly prohibited. It is also advisable to give up black tea and replace it with herbal tea.
• It is prohibited to drink food with water. You can drink only half an hour after eating. In this case, it is advisable to give preference to cold water, since, according to the author of the technique, it is better absorbed by the body.
• If the body needs prohibited foods for normal well-being (for example, liver for patients with anemia), they are allowed to be consumed in small doses and always not on an empty stomach.
• To preserve all the beneficial substances, it is recommended to cook food in a double boiler or bake it in a sleeve. You will have to give up frying, smoking and pickling.
• The author of the method believes that there is no need to take additional vitamins and multivitamin complexes during the diet.

Before starting this diet, be sure to consult your doctor.

Dietary casserole made from soft cottage cheese

Preparing the casserole does not take much time; this dish can be stored for two to three days in the refrigerator; this will not affect its usefulness and taste.

Required ingredients:

• low fat cottage cheese – 1 kg;
• eggs – 3 pieces;
• a glass of semolina;
• sugar – 4-5 tablespoons;
• salt;
• vanillin.

Cooking steps:

1. Rub the soft cottage cheese through a sieve, resulting in a homogeneous mass without lumps.
2. The eggs are thoroughly beaten with sugar.
3. The pureed cottage cheese is combined with the egg-sugar mixture.
4. Add semolina, a little salt and a pinch of vanillin to the base.
5. The mass is mixed using a mixer and placed in a greased mold.
6. After half an hour, cover the casserole with a lid and place in the oven (temperature should be 160–180 degrees).
7. Baking time is half an hour.

The casserole should be removed after cooling.

What else is important for the treatment of psoriasis, besides diet?

Following the basics of proper nutrition for psoriasis, eating simple foods and avoiding overeating plays an important role in combating the disease. To enhance the positive effect of a diet for psoriasis, you can (and should!) use skin care products that help it recover faster after periods of exacerbation of the disease. La-Cri products are well suited for this purpose; they are made from natural ingredients and do not contain fragrances, parabens or hormones. Thanks to their balanced and harmless composition, these products are suitable for use by people with sensitive skin, as well as pregnant women and children. Regular use of La-Cri medicinal cosmetics helps reduce rashes, redness, peeling and itching.

Baked salmon

It is recommended to eat this fish dish for dinner or lunch.
The combination of vegetables and fish improves digestion and provides the body with all the nutrients necessary for its smooth functioning. Required Products:

• 2 small portions of salmon;
• mushrooms – 2-3 spoons;
• 300 grams of fresh vegetables - zucchini pulp, cauliflower, broccoli;
• three tablespoons of squeezed lemon juice;
• dill greens.

Cooking steps:

1. Peel, rinse, chop and steam all vegetables until half cooked.
2. Make two boats from 2-3 layers of foil and place an equal amount of vegetables on the bottom of each.
3. Place salted fish on top.
4. Pour lemon juice over the dish and sprinkle with chopped herbs.
5. Bake for 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 160 degrees.

The salmon in this dish can be replaced with sole, pink salmon, flounder fillet or pollock.

Clinical researches

TM La-Cri products are recommended by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia. Clinical studies conducted by specialists have proven the high efficiency, safety and tolerability of products, including for daily skin care of children with mild and moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and during remission, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients.

Many remedies are recommended by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia.

Sources:

1. Schneiderman Paul, Grossman Mark, Differential diagnosis in dermatology. Atlas, Binom, 2022.
2. Reken Martin, Schaller Martin, Sattler Elke, Burgdorf Walter, Atlas of Dermatology, MEDpress-inform, 2022.
3. Yagodka Valentina Stepanovna, Medicinal plants in dermatology and cosmetology, Naukova Dumka publishing house, 1991.

We exclude harmful products

For scalp psoriasis, nutritionists recommend avoiding many foods and cooking techniques. Among the prohibited products were:

• hot spices, onions, garlic and horseradish;
• potato;
• pasta and baked goods made from wheat flour;
• sweets, including chocolate;
• some cereals (pearl barley, corn, barley, semolina);
• potato;
• beans, peas;
• tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato, ketchup;
• pork, goose, duck and other fatty meats;
• smoked meats, sausages;
• marinades, sauces;
• canned food;
• fried eggs;
• high fat dairy and fermented milk products;
• salo;
• food products with GMOs, preservatives;
• honey, strawberries, citrus fruits and other allergenic products;
• milk, ice cream, cheese;
• dark berries (black currant, plum, blueberry);
• coffee, carbonated drinks;
• alcohol and alcohol-containing drinks;
• eggplants, peppers;
• margarine and butter substitutes, spread.

Fried, salty, spicy and smoked foods are strictly prohibited for those who suffer from scalp psoriasis. If you have an omelet, then only steam it, if you have meat, then you should use low-fat, dietary varieties. Products with a high content of food additives are also prohibited.

Poultry and vegetable cutlets

Tender cutlets are suitable as an addition to pasta, rice or can be used for dinner.
Required Products:

• turkey or chicken fillet – 300–400 g;
• medium-sized carrots - 1 piece;
• one bell pepper red or yellow (note: pepper - only during periods without exacerbations);
• one egg;
• seasonings and salt.

Cooking steps:

1. Pass the meat through a meat grinder, combine with egg and seasonings.
2. Form small balls with your hands.
3. Stick several strips of chopped bell pepper into the balls.
4. Roll the semi-finished meat product in finely grated carrots.
5. Place in a steamer and steam for 30 minutes.

Vegetable cutlets can be topped with low-fat sour cream before eating.

Detailed menu for the week

The table details the diet menu for psoriasis for a week. Dishes can be combined in different sequences.