Diet for Lymphedema: Foods to Avoid

Lymph nodes help protect the body from infection, but while doing so they also collect a lot of cellular waste that needs to be filtered out.

When a person’s lymph nodes are damaged or removed, lymph vessels in the surrounding area become unable to drain that waste. The result is uncomfortable swelling around the affected lymph nodes caused by a disease known as “lymphedema.”

Although lymphedema has no cure, there are many things that can be done to help make it manageable. Thankfully, many of the most effective ways to manage lymphedema are as simple as changes in diet and lifestyle. In this post, we’ll explore the link between lymphedema and diet, identify things to avoid with lymphedema, and help you develop a diet for lymphedema.

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What is Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive disease that occurs when the body is unable to properly drain protein-rich fluids through the lymphatic system. As these fluids build up, they commonly cause swelling in the arms or legs, but can also affect the abdomen, chest, neck, and genitals. In serious cases, patients may lose the ability to move affected parts of the body. Lymphedema also increases the risk of skin infections, sepsis, and other skin-related issues.

Lymphedema is most commonly observed in cancer patients who have had treatments that damage or remove their lymph nodes, but any health issue that blocks proper drainage of lymph fluids can lead to the disease.

Lymphedema Nutrition: The Best Diet for Lymphedema

Creating the right lymphedema diet is all about prioritizing anti-inflammatory foods while avoiding ones that will exacerbate swelling.

Foods to Avoid with Lymphedema

However, foods that are high in sodium aren’t the only foods to avoid with lymphedema. When building a diet for lymphedema, watch out for these foods:

1. Foods That Are High in Sodium

First and foremost, patients with lymphedema should avoid overly salty foods. Sodium increases fluid retention in the body, which can raise blood pressure and can make the swelling symptoms of lymphedema worse.

Many Americans have no idea just how much sodium can be found in common treats like processed snack foods, sodas, or frozen dinners. Make sure to look at food labels and choose low sodium alternatives wherever possible,

2. Foods That Are High in Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates can be found in sugary and processed foods like white bread, pasta, and rice, as well as in processed snack foods like cakes, cookies, chips, crackers, and cereals. Foods with refined carbohydrates break down in the body more quickly than whole grains, causing spikes in blood sugar. Over time, these spikes can damage blood vessels and trigger inflammation.

Where possible, choose whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread and pastas, quinoa, and barley.

3. Foods That Are High in Trans Fats

Trans fats were a common food additive until they were banned in processed foods by the FDA in 2018. Some products may still contain these artificial fats in small quantities. Avoid foods labeled as containing “partially hydrogenated oils” and replace them with heart-healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and nut oils.

4. Red Meat

Recent studies have identified a compound found in red meat called Neu5Gc, which the human body doesn’t produce naturally. When we eat red meat, Neu5Gc can trigger an immune response that results in chronic inflammation.

Consider replacing red meat with poultry and fatty fish, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that boast anti-inflammatory properties and support overall lymphatic health.

5. Ultra Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods like packaged snacks, frozen meals, processed meats, sugary drinks, and fast food are often loaded with additives, unhealthy fats, and added sugars that can all trigger an inflammatory response. In addition to causing systemic inflammation, ultra-processed foods are also linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Prioritize whole foods by cooking meals at home using fresh ingredients.

Foods to Help Lymphedema

In addition to avoiding foods that cause inflammation, you’ll want to prioritize anti-inflammatory foods to help lymphedema symptoms. The Mediterranean Diet is often recommended for people dealing with Lymphedema due to its focus on eating fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The diet is primarily made up of foods that are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

• Beverages – drink primarily water, black coffee, and unsweetened tea. Avoid sugary drinks like soda, juice, or sports drinks.
• Vegetables – eat at least three servings of vegetables daily, limiting starchy vegetables such as potatoes.
• Fruits – eat at least two servings of fresh fruit daily.
• Fish and seafood – eat three or more servings of fish and seafood a week. Prioritize fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, sardines, mackerel, and herring which are known for being high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
• Legumes and beans – eat three or more servings of legumes and beans a week. Prioritize peas and lentils, as well as red, black, lima, kidney, soy, or navy beans.
• Nuts and seeds – eat four servings of raw, unsalted nuts and seeds a week.
• Poultry and eggs – prioritize eating white meat chicken without the skin and eggs as alternative sources of protein.
• Whole grains – Choose 100% whole grains when adding bread, rice, pasta, oatmeal, or tortillas to your diet.
• Healthy fats – extra virgin olive oil is usually the main source of fat in the Mediterranean diet. Other healthy, unsaturated fats such grapeseed oil or avocado oil are also acceptable. These oils are plant-based and can be used as alternatives to animal fats like butter or margarine when cooking.
• Polyphenols – eat foods that contain polyphenols like black coffee, green tea, and walnuts. Polyphenols contain antioxidants and anti-inflamatories, which can help to reduce liver fat.

Does Drinking More Water Help Lymphedema?

Drinking more water can help manage symptoms of Lymphedema.

While it’s true that fluid retention will make swelling worse, the solution isn’t to drink less water. Dehydration tells the body to start retaining fluid. By contrast, healthy hydration aids in flushing sodium out of the body. That said, people dealing with lymphedema should avoid coffee, alcohol, and sugary drinks; all of which work to dehydrate the body.

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