What’s Food Got to Do with Feet?

At NY Foot Health we see the care of your feet as an integral part of your overall health care. Good health is the result of a healthy lifestyle and proper care of all the systems and parts of your entire body. In honor of National Nutrition Month, we’d like to explore the relationship of food and your feet.

Making the Connection

A recent study conducted by New York State Podiatric Medical Association found a significant correlation between obesity and podiatric healthcare. Did you know that currently 39% of New Yorkers are considered obese? Being overweight increases your risk for many systemic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. For your feet specifically, obesity increases both the risk and the severity of many foot disorders including: flat feet, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia, to name a few. In addition, carrying extra weight creates a downward spiral: the more you weigh the harder it is to be active and exercise which in turn could help you lose excess pounds.

Finding Solutions

Podiatrists can play a key role in helping obese patients by diagnosing and treating underlying conditions that cause foot pain, and by increasing mobility and strength in the lower extremities. In fact, the above study showed that podiatric care provided by a physician can reduce the odds of subsequent inpatient hospital admissions by as much as 19%. It could also result in possible savings in healthcare costs of up to $1.1 billion dollars. Don’t have a podiatrist? We can help you find one through our online directory.

Making changes in your diet goes hand in hand with increasing your physical activity to lose weight and improve health. Start small with manageable changes. Don’t try to radically makeover your diet or you will likely become frustrated and give up before you make progress. Try some of these expert tips:

·         Use smaller plates for automatic portion reduction

·         Try ordering an appetizer or a la carte item when you dine out and fill out your meal with a large salad

·         Find ways to add more vegetables to your meals: blend in smoothies, grate into meatloaf, add to soups or stews

·         Read labels and choose foods with little or no added sugars and no saturated or trans fats

At NY Foot Health we sponsor many community initiatives aimed at improving health and wellness. To find out what’s coming up sign up for our e-newsletter or contact us.