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For people living with psoriasis, it can feel like flare-ups come out of nowhere. While psoriasis is driven by the immune system, many people notice that certain lifestyle factors — including what they eat and drink — seem to affect their symptoms and may improve their quality of life.
In a recent conversation on MyPsoriasisTeam, members shared more than 170 tips about dietary changes that helped them manage their skin symptoms. Not every approach works for everyone, but clear patterns emerged.
Here are six of the most commonly mentioned strategies — along with why they might help.
Many MyPsoriasisTeam members said reducing or eliminating sugar made a noticeable difference in their plaques.
“I really improved after cutting out most, if not all, sugar, as well as carbs and processed foods.”
One member shared, “I really improved after cutting out most, if not all, sugar, as well as carbs and processed foods. For a while, I had no plaques and was completely amazed that a change in diet could have such positive results!”
Another wrote, “It seems like if I watch my sugar intake, it really helps. Boy oh boy, do I love sweets!!!!"
Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition. Diets high in added sugars may increase inflammation in the body. Sugar may also contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance (how effectively the body uses the sugar we eat). Both are linked to higher levels of inflammatory chemicals. For some people, reducing sugar lowers overall inflammation and may help reduce psoriasis flare frequency or severity.
Gluten is a type of protein found in certain types of grain. Some studies suggest that people with psoriasis are more likely to also have celiac disease, which means they need to avoid gluten. Even for those who don’t have celiac disease, some have found that avoiding gluten may decrease psoriasis flare-ups.
Several members shared that going gluten-free brought some symptom relief. “I went gluten-free. It seems to help out,” one member shared, while another said, “Go gluten-free!!! It makes a big difference.”
A third said, “I’ve found that I’m now sensitive to gluten, milk, and sugar. When I eliminate or greatly reduce those, I greatly reduce flares. I had almost none last year.”
Removing gluten may calm the immune response and reduce skin symptoms if you have a sensitivity to gluten or have celiac disease. However, this doesn’t apply to everyone. Talk with your doctor about being tested for celiac disease before going fully gluten-free.
Alcohol came up repeatedly as a strong trigger for flares.
“I will say for myself, the best dietary change that I ever made for psoriasis was quitting drinking,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member. “It was absolutely horrible for my psoriasis.”
Another made this recommendation to anyone with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis: “Eliminate alcohol, period. All the diets in the world will not help if we continue to consume alcohol.”
Alcohol can increase inflammation. It can also interfere with liver function, which matters because many psoriasis medications are processed through the liver. For some people, even small amounts may trigger flares.
Among MyPsoriasisTeam members, “eating clean” was a common theme, with a focus on whole foods and minimizing additives.
One member described their shift: “I cut out all processed foods and ate vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain bread and pita. Lots of oatmeal. And my psoriasis cleared up.”
Another recommended focusing on whole foods over processed foods: “Read labels and eat the one with the fewest ingredients and no added junk. No preservatives and no food dyes.”
Highly processed foods often contain added sugars, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and preservatives, all of which may promote inflammation.
Diets centered on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins are associated with lower inflammatory markers. For people with autoimmune conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, lowering inflammatory triggers may help reduce symptom severity.
Some members intentionally adopted anti-inflammatory eating patterns, including plant-based or Mediterranean-style diets.
“Follow an anti-inflammatory diet and pain will be less,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member. “Limit gluten and sugar as well as chemicals. Farm-to-table meals are the best overall. Avoid preservatives.”
“No sugar and plant-based helps me significantly,” said another.
One member living with psoriasis, as well as conditions affecting their gastrointestinal tract, said, “The Mediterranean diet seems to be the best at balancing my dietary needs.”
Anti-inflammatory diets emphasize foods such as leafy greens, berries, olive oil, nuts, and fish. These foods may help reduce inflammation in the body.
The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been associated with lower inflammatory markers and improved heart health. This is important for people with psoriasis, who may have a higher cardiovascular risk.
Many MyPsoriasisTeam members said pinpointing and removing their specific trigger foods — whether nightshades or something else entirely — made a noticeable difference in their symptoms. While nightshades (such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant) came up often, members emphasized that triggers can vary widely from person to person.
One member shared, “With the encouragement of my doctors, I gave up everything in the nightshade family: potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. It made a huge difference."
Another wrote, “Nightshades and white flour kill me! As well as red wine.”
And a third member described a very different set of triggers: “The only things that bother me and my skin are too much corn, oranges, and ice cream. I know this is a strange list! But they bother me.”
Psoriasis involves an overactive immune response. For some people, certain foods may act as personal triggers that stimulate inflammation. Nightshades contain compounds that some believe may worsen symptoms in sensitive individuals, but there is no strong scientific evidence supporting this for most people.
Elimination diets, which involve removing potential trigger foods for several weeks and then reintroducing them one at a time, can help people identify patterns between what they eat and how they feel. Working with a doctor or registered dietitian can help ensure nutritional needs are met while exploring possible triggers safely.
There’s no single “psoriasis diet” that works for everyone. Genetics, immune function, stress, and medications all play a role in psoriasis. But as this conversation on MyPsoriasisTeam shows, many people find that certain dietary changes can make a meaningful difference.
If you’re considering changing your diet, talk with your healthcare provider first. And remember, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you made changes in your diet that have improved your psoriasis? Let others know in the comments below.
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