What foods should I avoid with neuropathy?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 23, 2026
To ease this stress on your nerves, you should avoid salty foods. You should also avoid processed meats, cold cuts, fast foods, pretzels, and any other foods high in sodium and instead opt for lean meats and vegetables.
What foods trigger neuropathy?
Salty Foods: Foods high in sodium, such as potato chips, cold cuts, and frozen prepared meals can be an issue for neuropathy patients because high levels of sodium can lead to restricted blood flow, which may cause a flare up of symptoms.
What foods help neuropathy?
What Is the Ideal Neuropathy Diet?
- Fruits. Fruits contain antioxidants that help fight nerve damage and control inflammation. Try to have a serving of fruit daily. ...
- Vegetables. Just like fruits, vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. ...
- Whole grains. ...
- Nuts. ...
- Legumes. ...
- Omega-3–rich foods. ...
- Lean proteins.
What foods make neuropathy pain worse?
The following foods have the potential to increase pain in neuropathy: dairy products, wheat, citrus fruits, corn, caffeine, meat of all kinds, nuts and eggs.
What can make neuropathy worse?
Strenuous exercise and the accompanying soreness can contribute to nerve pain during the night. Living in a chronic state of stress will wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. High stress levels could be a reason why neuropathy is worse on some days, as well as when you take medications.
26 related questions foundIs walking good for neuropathy in the feet?
Walking can reduce the pain and other symptoms of neuropathy from the nerve damage in your feet and lower legs. Walking and other light aerobic exercises have various benefits for people affected by neuropathy, which is a wide range of conditions involving disease and damage to the peripheral nerves.
What causes neuropathy to flare up?
It's usually caused by chronic, progressive nerve disease, and it can also occur as the result of injury or infection. If you have chronic neuropathic pain, it can flare up at any time without an obvious pain-inducing event or factor. Acute neuropathic pain, while uncommon, can occur as well.
What is the best thing to do for neuropathy in your feet?
Exercise. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help. Quit smoking.
Are potatoes good for neuropathy?
Salty Snacks
Foods with a high sodium level can be particularly problematic as the amount of salt can restrict blood flow, contributing to numbness as a symptom of peripheral neuropathy. Potato chips, cold cuts, and fast food are all particularly high in sodium and should be avoided whenever possible.
What's the best home remedy for neuropathy?
8 natural treatments for peripheral neuropathy
- Vitamins. Some cases of peripheral neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. ...
- Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, an ingredient in hot peppers that makes them spicy. ...
- Quit smoking. ...
- Warm bath. ...
- Exercise. ...
- Essential oils. ...
- Meditation. ...
- Acupuncture.
What food makes nerves strong?
Six Great Plant-Based Foods to Fight Nerve Pain
- Green and leafy vegetables. Broccoli, spinach and asparagus all contain vitamin B, a nutrient important for nerve regeneration and nerve function. ...
- Fruits. Eat at least one fruit daily to help heal damaged nerves. ...
- Zucchini. ...
- Sweet potato. ...
- Quinoa. ...
- Avocado.
How do you calm down neuropathy?
Some studies show supplements can help reduce pain and other symptoms.
- Soak in a Warm Bath. Not only is the warm water relaxing, but it can also boost circulation throughout your body. ...
- Take an Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplement. Your body naturally produces small amounts of this antioxidant. ...
- Get Moving.
Is oatmeal good for neuropathy?
They typically contain low levels of fat and keep you fuller longer. Complex sugars within whole grains stabilize blood sugar and promote brain development — which means all good things for your diabetic neuropathy. Whole Wheat Grain Foods: Whole Wheat Oatmeal.
How do you stop neuropathy from progressing?
How To Slow The Progression of Diabetic Neuropathies
- Losing weight.
- Exercising.
- Control blood sugar levels.
- Quit smoking.
- Stop drinking alcohol.
- Treat all injuries and infections right away.
- Improving vitamin deficiencies.
- Managing stress.
Why does neuropathy get worse at night?
At night our body temperature fluctuates and goes down a bit. Most people tend to sleep in a cooler room as well. The thought is that damaged nerves might interpret the temperature change as pain or tingling, which can heighten the sense of neuropathy.
Which juice is good for nerves?
If you're looking to drink your nutrients, there might be a best juice for nerves: beetroot juice. A July 2017 study published in the American Journal of Physiology, which looked at a small group of 14 participants, found that supplementation using beetroot juice could reduce muscle sympathetic nerve activity.
Does salt make neuropathy worse?
Salty foods such as potato chips, processed meals, cold cuts, and fast food can also be problematic for neuropathy patients, as high levels of salt may restrict blood flow, which can contribute to numbness, as mentioned above.
What foods give you B12?
To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as:
- Beef, liver, and chicken.
- Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
- Fortified breakfast cereal.
- Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
- Eggs.
What is end stage neuropathy?
Stage 5: Complete Loss of Feeling
This is the final stage of neuropathy, and it is where you've lost any and all feeling in your lower legs and feet. You do not feel any pain, just intense numbness. This is because there are no nerves that are able to send signals to your brain.
Do compression socks help with neuropathy?
Compression socks can relieve neuropathy issues concerning blood flow, as they are known for their ability to improve blood circulation. Studies have shown that compression garments can help those living with diabetes and lower extremity edemas.
How serious is neuropathy in feet?
If the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy isn't treated, you may be at risk of developing potentially serious complications, such as a foot ulcer that becomes infected. This can lead to gangrene (tissue death) if untreated, and in severe cases may mean the affected foot has to be amputated.
What medications cause neuropathy in feet?
Other drugs and substances that may cause neuropathy include: Colchicine (used to treat gout) Disulfiram (used to treat alcohol use) Arsenic.
...
Drugs used to fight infections:
- Chloroquine.
- Dapsone.
- Isoniazid (INH), used against tuberculosis.
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- Nitrofurantoin.
- Thalidomide (used to fight leprosy)
What are the warning signs of neuropathy?
The Top 17 Peripheral Neuropathy Warning Signs and Symptoms
- burning pain radiating in hands or feet.
- pins and needles in the extremities.
- numbness and tingling.
- weakness in arms and legs.
- a knotted feeling in the soles and palms.
- pain from the lightest touches.
- difficulty walking.
- pain from the pressure of walking.
Does Vicks Vapor Rub help neuropathy pain?
Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems.
Can you lose your feet from neuropathy?
Nerve damage can cause a loss of feeling in the feet, so even minor cuts can turn into sores or ulcers without being noticed. In severe cases, an infection can spread to the bone or lead to tissue death. Removal (amputation) of a toe, foot or even part of the leg may be necessary.