What foods should someone with psoriasis avoid? Great question — and one that comes up a lot! While everyone's triggers can be different, there are some common culprits worth knowing about.
Here are foods that may worsen psoriasis symptoms:
- Alcohol — A big one. Many MyPsoriasisTeam members noticed significant Show Full Answer
What foods should someone with psoriasis avoid? Great question — and one that comes up a lot! While everyone's triggers can be different, there are some common culprits worth knowing about.
Here are foods that may worsen psoriasis symptoms:
- Alcohol — A big one. Many MyPsoriasisTeam members noticed significant improvement after cutting it out completely
- Fried foods — These promote inflammation and are best avoided or minimized
- Red and processed meats — High in saturated fat, which can fuel inflammation
- Full-fat dairy — Limit to no more than 3 servings per day; some people find cutting it out helps reduce flares
- Refined grains and added sugar — Think white bread, soft drinks, and sugary snacks; these spike blood sugar and increase inflammation
- Gluten — Not everyone is sensitive, but some people see real improvement going gluten-free
- Processed/packaged foods — Especially those with hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup
Tracking what you eat and noting any flare-ups can be a really helpful way to spot your personal triggers. One MyPsoriasisTeam member shared that making a food chart and tracking everything helped them identify what was causing their flares.
As always, it's worth chatting with your doctor before making big dietary changes — especially if you're on medication. If you're currently taking a biologic medication, there are some extra food safety considerations to keep in mind. Biologics suppress the immune system, which can make you more vulnerable to foodborne illness. Foods to be especially cautious about include:
- Unpasteurized dairy products — Always check labels for "pasteurized"
- Mold-ripened soft cheeses — Such as brie, blue cheese, feta, and goat cheese
- Undercooked meat, poultry, or seafood — Use a food thermometer to ensure safe internal temperatures
- Raw eggs — Including foods made with them, like certain dressings or homemade mayo
- Leftover rice — Eat it fresh or reheat thoroughly if stored
- Raw sprouts — Cook them thoroughly to kill any bacteria
- Unfiltered or untreated water — Especially when traveling
When in doubt, your dermatologist can refer you to a registered dietitian who can help create a safe, personalized eating plan.
August 31
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