If you suffer from Osteoarthritis, and are also carrying some excess weight, then it's highly likely your doctor has recommended that you go on a diet. What you eat is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and reducing your risk of disease. Recent numbers suggest that around 70% of Americans suffer from obesity.

With Osteoarthritis, carrying excess weight means that you're putting more pressure on your joints. So losing weight can have a beneficial effect, reducing stress on painful joints. Nowadays it's possible to choose a diet plan that suits your individual preferences. This is particularly important if you are allergic to certain food items, or gain weight easily. It's also important to realize that there's no need to lose lots of weight rapidly. This is usually bad for your overall health, and most people put the weight on again quickly once they stop dieting. Instead, you need to make gradual changes to your eating habits so that you develop a healthy, balanced eating plan that you can follow for life.

Initially, take a look at what you're eating and divide it into food groups such as dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables. Assess how much food you eat from each group on average each day. This will help you to understand where you are right now. Then take a look at a food pyramid, which shows how much food you should eat from each food group daily, or consult a nutritionist. Now you can begin to make the adjustments needed to improve your diet.

There are some foods that need to be cut out completely, although you can possibly have the occasional treat from this group later down the track when you've reached your ideal weight. Foods like alcohol, sugar, saturated fat, coffee, margarine, excess salt, cakes, candy and so on should definitely be taken off the shopping list. Focus on eating more fresh vegetables instead.

Although these general guidelines are good for losing weight, there are also some foods you should include in your diet to help you reduce the effects of Osteoarthritis. In particular, focus on foods that are high in Vitamin E. These include:

• Corn
• Egg yolks
• Beef
• Nuts
• Sunflower oil
• Wheat germ

All of these foods have a positive effect on the body, reducing the tissue damage caused by smoking, aging and stress. Omega-3 fatty acids are also very beneficial for Osteoarthritis sufferers, as they help to reduce inflammation. Oily fish are one of the best sources of omega-3 acids, but you can also take it as a vitamin supplement if preferred.

Vitamin C is another beneficial vitamin for Osteoarthritis, so make sure you eat plenty of citrus fruits, pineapple, strawberries, melons, kiwi fruit and blueberries. Foods that supply silicon that helps to calcify and strengthen bones include oats, barley, root vegetables and wholegrain cereals. You can get zinc and copper through foods like beans, lamb, pork, mushrooms and pumpkin seeds, all of which help to lower levels of inflammation.

Finally, avoid dairy products, acidic fruits and preservatives. All of these are likely to increase the effects of Osteoarthritis, so are best excluded from your diet. With a little bit of thought and preparation, it's simple to put together a healthy diet that minimizes the effects of Osteoarthritis.