It is not always easy to stick to a healthy diet of meals rich in nutrients when managing rheumatoid arthritis. You need to strike a balance with foods and snacks for rheumatoid arthritis since your body needs periodic food intake throughout the course of the day. It is the energy derived from food that helps fight inflammation, relieve pain, and ensure overall health. The food consumed also equips the body against any other possible complications or health issues.

Here are four foods that are great snacks for rheumatoid arthritis:

1. Whole grains
Most often, you would be asked to stick to whole-wheat or whole-grain bread as it has high fiber content. This does not necessarily mean that you need to skip white bread as it is rich in folic acid, which is also helpful for the body. It is an important element that you need in the body as it is known to prevent plaque buildup, which can otherwise block or clog your arteries. When you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you are at a higher risk of developing clogged arteries. There are also loaves of bread available that are a mix of all these grain types to promote a healthier balance of the elements present, but ensure that you pick one without the processed tag.

2. Mushrooms
This is one of the best salad garnishes that you can have as a snack for rheumatoid arthritis. Mushrooms contain a lot of dietary nutrients like potassium and copper, which are important to ensure heart, muscle, and nerve health, along with promoting the health of red blood cells. Specifically grown mushrooms with exposure to UVB light contain vitamin D, a key component to ensure bone health.

3. Chocolate
We always undermine the health benefits of chocolate. This is a great snack for rheumatoid arthritis as it has flavanols, which have antioxidant properties. It helps you to keep your arteries clog-free and also plays an important role in reducing the risk of heart ailments and alleviates blood pressure. There are also medical research reports that repeatedly claim that eating chocolate is beneficial for health. When we say that eating chocolate is good, it does not mean that you binge on it. Ensure a balanced intake through snacking once in a while.

4. Popcorn
Yes, popcorn is a great snack for rheumatoid arthritis. It is a savory snack packed with both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Popcorn contains polyphenols, which are higher in this snack than in both fruits and vegetables. This snack is also a great source of fiber, which is critical to ease up any gastric issues that may arise due to rheumatoid arthritis. However, ensure that you eat plain popcorn and not load it with butter or caramel as that will destroy the benefits and end up adding fats to your body.