7 Foods to Avoid with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in the world. People with the condition suffer from skin plaques that can look red, scaly, or silvery and can be very itchy or painful.

Like many chronic conditions, finding the right treatment and lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms can take time. 

For some people, making changes to their diet, like reducing their intake of inflammatory foods (including red meat, alcohol, and dairy or alcohol), can significantly impact their disease severity and day-to-day life.   

In this article, we’ll explain how food can impact psoriasis, which foods may trigger flare-ups, and how to build a dietary plan that keeps your symptoms at bay. 

How Food Impacts Psoriasis

Experts are still learning how food can increase or decrease inflammation in the body to impact chronic conditions like psoriasis.  

Though no single food or dietary pattern will cure psoriasis, there is research to show that some eating patterns can reduce the severity of the disease and the likelihood of developing common psoriasis comorbidities, like psoriatic arthritis or heart disease. 

One way foods can increase inflammation in the body is through a mechanism called an inflammatory response. Some studies show that certain foods can activate cells to trigger an inflammatory response, increasing inflammatory activity in the body. For this reason, these foods are sometimes referred to as “triggers” or “trigger foods.”

Additional research shows that some foods may help decrease inflammation or combat inflammation in the body. 

7 Foods That Can Trigger Psoriasis Flare-Ups

Not every person with psoriasis will have the same food triggers. Different people will benefit from different dietary modifications or lifestyle changes. 

However, there are several common types of foods that can worsen symptoms in some people.  

1. Gluten

Gluten is a complex protein found in many grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. Common sources of gluten include breads, pastas, crackers, and baked goods.

Some research shows that people with psoriasis may experience an improvement in their symptoms when following a gluten-free diet, particularly if they have a sensitivity to gluten.

But additional studies show no improvement in psoriasis symptoms after six months of following a gluten-free diet.  

For this reason, more data is needed to support using this diet as psoriasis therapy unless you have a confirmed or suspected gluten intolerance or coexisting celiac disease. 

2. Dairy Products

Dairy products, including cheese, butter and milk, tend to be higher in saturated fats. There is some research to suggest that a higher intake of saturated fats may increase inflammation in the body and exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. 

Limiting saturated fat intake is also recommended to reduce your risk of heart disease, which is a common comorbidity of psoriasis.

3. Red Meat

Similarly to dairy products, red meat is high in saturated fats. Limiting your consumption of red meat may help to improve your psoriasis symptoms and lower your risk of heart disease.

4. Processed and Fried Foods

Many highly processed and fried foods are higher in saturated fats, salt, and/or sugar. Excess sugar and saturated fat intake can trigger an inflammatory response and worsen psoriasis symptoms in some people.

5. Nightshade Vegetables (e.g., Tomatoes, Eggplant)

Nightshades are a category of flowering plants that includes foods like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers. 

In one self-reported survey from 2017, 52% of respondents reported an improvement in their psoriasis symptoms after reducing their consumption of nightshades. However, not enough evidence exists to draw a definitive connection between nightshades and worsened psoriasis symptoms. 

6. Alcohol

It’s well recognized that there is no healthy amount of alcohol. Consumption leads to long-term inflammation over time. There is also some evidence to show that drinking alcohol may worsen psoriasis lesions. 

7. Sugar

Sugar was one of the most commonly self-reported triggers from the 2017 survey mentioned above. There is some research to show that an excessive intake of sugar may promote inflammation in the body and worsen psoriasis symptoms.  

Is There a Connection Between Psoriasis and Celiac Disease?

Many experts believe that there is a connection between psoriasis and celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and is triggered by eating foods that contain gluten. 

Research shows that people with psoriasis have a higher rate of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Data also shows that people with celiac disease have an increased risk of developing psoriasis. 

Several studies suggest that psoriasis and celiac disease share common genetic and inflammatory pathways. 

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, there isn’t enough evidence to definitively connect one condition to the other. However, if you have psoriasis as well as a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, eliminating gluten from your diet will help to alleviate your symptoms from both conditions.  

Tips for Building a Psoriasis-Friendly Diet

Building a psoriasis-friendly diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. In most cases, finding the right foods to minimize your symptoms and support your well-being will take some trial and error. 

Working with a dietitian can help you to understand the possible triggers and how to evaluate your body’s response to various foods. 

Starting an elimination diet can be a helpful way to assess whether or not certain foods trigger or exacerbate your psoriasis symptoms. In many cases, a dietitian will recommend eliminating one food group at a time, like gluten or dairy, to see if your symptoms improve.

If an elimination diet isn’t right for you, there are other generalized dietary changes you can incorporate to try and reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate your symptoms, such as:

• Limit your intake of saturated fats (from sources like red meat and dairy).
• Replace saturated fat intake with polyunsaturated fats from the omega-3 family (from sources like salmon, sardines, flaxseeds, and walnuts). 
• Increase your dietary fiber intake (from sources like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes).
• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (from fruit and vegetables like berries, nuts, and leafy greens).
• Limit your simple sugar and alcohol intake.

Keep in mind that if you’re taking psoriasis medication, you should work with your healthcare provider on which dietary changes are right for you. 

It’s also important to reach out to your provider if you’re experiencing new or worsening symptoms.