Edema happens when our feet and ankles swell up due to excess water. Doctors recommend improving our diet by adding food that has anti-inflammatory content, and high potassium and magnesium. The aim is to include these elements in our diet. Here are some foods to take when a person is suffering from edema.
1.Whole Grains
Whole grain is usually called the grain of some cereals like wheat, rice, barley, oats, etc. The most common Indian whole grains are bajra, ragi, jowar, amaranth, etc. Whole grain food includes oatmeal, brown rice, muffins, quinoa, etc.
2.Avocado
It is a green fruit with a large seed. It is also known as butter fruit. They have low sodium and high potassium content. Recipes include avocado salad, avocado smoothie, avocado toast, or pasta with avocado.
3.Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is useful in reducing swelling in ankles and feet. One can make different delicacies with spinach like spinach soup, spinach paratha, etc. We can add different vegetables along with spinach like mushrooms, potatoes, and carrots to add taste. Wheat can be used to make paratha, which is also one of the foods recommended to reduce edema.
4.Salmon
Salmon is among the most popular seafood in many parts of the world. It is rich in potassium, which is required to treat patients with edema. One can make roasted salmon differently by adding chickpeas or cranberry. Salmon cakes or pastas served with salmon are relatively easy to make.
5.Walnut
Walnuts have high potassium content and they reduce inflammation. This makes it a good food to treat edema. Walnuts can be added to smoothie bowls along with different fruits. It can also be eaten with oats, which is also a good recommendation to treat edema. Other recipes include walnut halwa, or salads with walnuts.
6.Oats
Oats are used to make oatmeal, which is a delicious yet healthy dish, with high nutrition levels. Oatmeal can be served with fruits to reduce edema. Oatmeal requires ingredients like oats, milk, sugar, and nuts like walnuts and almonds. We can also make oats a spicy dish by using onion, chilies, peas, carrot, tomato, coriander, salt, and oil.
7.Beetroot
Edema patients are usually suggested to increase potassium intake. Beetroot is a potassium-rich food, which is helpful for edema patients. One can add a simple beetroot salad to their diet. Halwa, paratha, cutlet, raita or simply boiled beetroots can be consumed.
8.Berries
They are small, round, and juicy fruits like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, etc. They have anti-inflammatory contents and high water levels in them. Berries can be eaten with oatmeal, smoothie bowls, yogurt, pudding, or dalia.
9.Buckwheat
Buckwheat helps in fluid and water retention in our bodies. Buckwheat tea reduces swelling in legs. Other recipes with buckwheat are khichdi, risotto, porridge, or pancakes. Pancakes can be made using buckwheat flour, vanilla extract, baking soda, sugar, milk, and salt. Khichdi needs buckwheat, potatoes, cumin, ghee, coriander, and salt. Porridge needs buckwheat, milk, sugar, and butter.
10.Asparagus
They have high potassium and magnesium content. This is good for people suffering from edema. Recipes like asparagus salad, roasted asparagus, or sautéed asparagus are good for excreting extra water from swellings.
11.Banana
Banana has a high potassium level. So, eating a banana can help reduce swelling. Recipes using banana are banana smoothie, banana tea, or it can be added to a food salad. Banana yogurt is also a tasty alternative. Banana tea can be made using bananas, water, and honey.
12.Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes contain beta carotene and they reduce inflammation. They are also low in sodium. Sweet potatoes can be roasted, or eaten as fries. Other recipes include sweet potato chili, carbonara, burger, stew, or salad.
13.Beans
Beans are potassium and magnesium-rich foods. They help in water retention during swelling. Recipes include red bean soup, sautéed beans, baked beans, beans masala, and beans salad.
14.Tomato
Tomatoes help fight many diseases and are an integral part of our diet. They can help patients suffering from edema. Recipes include shakshuka(eggs made in tomato puree), tomato soup, rasam, sambhar, etc.
15.Raisin
They are dried grapes. Raisin help in lowering inflammation thus, reduces swelling in feet and ankles. Recipes include raisin cookies, raisin pie, raisin halwa, cereal, raisin butter, etc. It can also be added to salads, custard, cakes, or eaten with yogurt.
16.Olive Oil
It contains anti-inflammatory products and so it is helpful to patients suffering from edema. Oil is a regular ingredient in many of our foods so, we can easily replace it with olive oil. This, it can become an integral part of our diet. Olive oil can be used as a salad dressing.
17.Dandelion
Dandelion leaves are a good remedy for treating edema. Dandelion tea helps reduce inflammation. Other recipes include pizza, quesadilla, or salad using their leaves. Dandelion flowers can be used to make syrup, cookies, or jelly. Dandelions are very nutritious and are edible from roots to flowers.
18.Kale
Kale is a leafy cabbage. Green leafy vegetables like kale are often recommended to patients suffering from edema. Recipes include kale salad, soup, enchiladas, etc. We can add a bit of kale to many recipes.
19.Cucumber
It has high water content. They are also a good source of potassium and magnesium. Recipes include cucumber juice, which can be made using cucumber, water, lemon juice, and salt. Cucumber soup can be made. They can be included in salads or soups as well.
20.Garlic
Garlic can help reduce swelling in feet. They are necessary for edema patients. Garlic can be included in tea. They can be added in salads, soups, or out day-to-day dishes.
