9 Foods To Avoid With Psoriasis: What To Eat Instead

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in the world and affects an estimated 7.5 million adults in the United States.

People with psoriasis suffer from scaly patches on the skin that can itch and cause social and physical discomfort.

Diet does not cause psoriasis, but some research suggests that it may trigger and impact the severity of symptoms in some people.

Foods that may trigger psoriasis symptoms include red meat, eggs, dairy, gluten, and processed foods. 

Keep reading to learn more about which foods to avoid when you have psoriasis and other ways to manage the condition. 

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What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes scaly patches to form on the skin.

It’s also an immune-mediated condition, which means that the immune system plays a part in the development of the disease. 

People with psoriasis have an immune system that can become overactive, causing skin cells to multiply quickly and form patches of skin that are scaly and inflamed. 

Having psoriasis can increase the risk of developing other conditions, including:

• Psoriatic arthritis, a chronic form of arthritis.
• Heart attacks and strokes.
• Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
• Crohn’s disease.
• Diabetes.
• Liver disease.
• Kidney disease.

The scaly patches caused by psoriasis may appear red on Caucasian skin and purple on skin of color.

These patches can also itch, sting, and burn.

Additional symptoms of psoriasis can include: 

• Dry, cracked skin that itches or bleeds easily.
• Thick, ridged nails.
• Sore or painful skin.
• Poor sleep.

Psoriasis symptoms can vary depending on what type of psoriasis you have.

The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis.

Other types of psoriasis include:

• Guttate psoriasis: Often appears as small tiny bumps on the skin. These bumps are usually pink or salmon colored.

• Inverse psoriasis: Causes sore or painful skin and occurs on parts of the body where skin touches skin, like the armpits or genitals.

• Pustular psoriasis: Sometimes confused with an infection because it causes pus-filled bumps that usually appear on the feet and hands.

• Nail psoriasis: Roughly 50% of people who have plaque psoriasis will experience nail psoriasis at some point. Nail psoriasis leads to changes on the fingernails and toenails, like tiny dents, discoloration, and crumbling or rough nails.

Experts aren’t sure what makes the immune system become overactive to cause psoriasis, but several factors are believed to impact its development, including genetics, environmental factors, and other immune disorders.   

9 Foods to Avoid with Psoriasis

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there are no particular foods you need to avoid if you have psoriasis.

But there are some people who report that certain foods impact their symptoms.   

Emerging research also draws a connection between diet and the development and severity of psoriasis.

Some of this evidence suggests that certain foods can impact inflammation in the body to trigger or worsen symptoms. 

Below we explain some of the most commonly reported dietary triggers of psoriasis.

But it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone with psoriasis will have the same triggers. 

If you’re curious to learn more about what foods might trigger your psoriasis symptoms, consider using this list as a starting point with your doctor or dietitian to guide your psoriasis treatment.

1. Dairy 

Many dairy products, like cheese, milk, butter and cream, are high in saturated fats.

Several sources, including the Veteran Affairs (VA), suggest reducing your intake of saturated fats to decrease inflammation. 

Some research also suggests that one type of polyunsaturated fat found in dairy called arachidonic acid may impact the development of psoriasis patches on the skin.

2. Red Meat

Red meat is another source of saturated and polyunsaturated fat that may trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms. 

Red meats include beef, pork, veal, lamb, mutton, goat, and venison. 

3. Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrate foods like white breads, pastas, cereals, and rice, have a high glycemic index and are often more processed than their non-refined alternatives, which can mean that they’re stripped of healthy fibers and whole grains. 

Some research suggests that eating more of these foods can increase inflammation in the body, which is why they should be limited or avoided if you have psoriasis.

4. High-Salt Foods

A high-salt diet may also impact the development of psoriasis.

Research shows that high-salt diets may activate T cells in the immune system that trigger psoriasis patches to develop on the skin.  

5. Gluten

Research from 2017 shows that people with psoriasis may be more likely to have elevated serum markers for celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that affects how the body absorbs nutrients.

Patients with these markers who adhered to a strict gluten-free diet experienced an improvement in their psoriasis symptoms.

Another study found that 73% of participants with psoriasis who had the same serum markers for celiac disease also experienced improvement in their symptoms after adhering to a gluten-free diet for three months.

These findings suggest that eliminating or limiting gluten may help some people with psoriasis manage their condition.

6. Nightshades

Anecdotal evidence from a self-reported survey from 2017 reports that some people with psoriasis believed their symptoms worsened after eating nightshade plants, including eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.

But there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that eating nightshades can worsen inflammation or trigger psoriasis symptoms.

In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, the belief that nightshades increase or cause inflammation is a myth. 

7. Added Sugars

Research suggests that excessive consumption of sugar may worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Foods with added sugars include some juices, cookies, candy, cakes, and other desserts.

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8. Processed Foods

Processed foods are more likely to contain added salt, added sugars, and saturated fats, each of which may impact psoriasis development and severity.  

9. Alcohol

The evidence on how alcohol impacts psoriasis is mixed. 

One review from 2024 shows that while people with psoriasis exhibit higher rates of excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse, there isn’t enough evidence to conclude that alcohol can cause psoriasis to develop.

But according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, alcohol consumption in general will cause stress and inflammation in the body and can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Some studies have also shown a link between alcohol consumption and aggravated psoriasis symptoms. 

Importantly, people taking certain medications for psoriasis, including anti-inflammatory medications like methotrexate, should avoid drinking alcohol because alcohol can negate the drug’s anti-inflammatory effects. 

Do Certain Foods Impact Psoriasis?

There isn’t enough evidence to show that certain foods impact all people with psoriasis, which is why the American Academy of Dermatology Association doesn’t make blanket dietary recommendations for people with the condition.

However, emerging surveys and studies show that certain foods, like gluten or alcohol, may impact some people with psoriasis. 

Everyone’s psoriasis triggers are unique.

To better understand what may or may not impact your symptoms, consider working with a dietitian or doctor to investigate your potential dietary triggers.

What to Eat Instead

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the National Psoriasis Foundation, there is no diet that can cure psoriasis. 

But there are some foods and dietary patterns that may help to alleviate symptoms or prevent them from occurring.

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet focuses on incorporating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, olive oils, fish, nuts, and cereals into your diet and limiting meat, dairy products, eggs, and alcohol. 

Several studies suggest that following a Mediterranean dietary pattern may slow the progression of psoriasis and improve symptoms.    

Gluten-Free Diet

For people with elevated markers for celiac disease, adhering to a gluten-free diet may also help to improve psoriasis symptoms.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Some foods have been shown to help reduce inflammation, including:

• Tomatoes.
• Olive oil.
• Green leafy vegetables, like kale, chard, or spinach.
• Nuts.
• Omega-3 fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.
• Strawberries.
• Blueberries.
• Cherries.
• Oranges.

Keep in mind that everyone will respond differently to certain dietary patterns and even certain foods.

Overall, eating a balanced diet is the best way to support your health and manage your symptoms if you have psoriasis.

Other Tips for Managing Psoriasis

There are several ways to manage your psoriasis and help keep symptoms at bay. Strategies and treatments to consider include:

• Keeping skin well-moisturized throughout the day.
• Quitting smoking.
• Limiting your exposure to sunlight.
• Taking medication, including topical creams, oral medications, and injectables. 

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Takeaway

Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole foods is a great way to support your health if you have psoriasis.

But there are some specific foods that may trigger symptoms in some people, like gluten or alcohol.

Consider working with a doctor or dietitian to learn more about what foods may trigger your symptoms.

How a Dietitian Can Help

Working with a dietitian will help you to build a customized meal plan to support your psoriasis management.

They can also work with you to investigate possible dietary triggers of your psoriasis to help keep symptoms at bay. 

You can find a dietitian through Nourish to start managing your psoriasis symptoms today.