Foods to avoid if you have back pain

Picture of Dr. Pasquale X. Montesano
Dr. Pasquale X. Montesano

Principal Orthopedic Spine surgeon at Montesano Spine & Sport.

Your diet plays a big part in the health of your spine. If you have back pain, here are some foods you should avoid eating:

  • Sugary foods: Sugary foods can trigger inflammation in your spine and can lead to weight gain. Foods with artificial sweeteners should be avoided too because they can also trigger inflammation.
  • Processed corn: Corn is usually good for you, but not when it’s processed. Processed corn can cause a spike in insulin and inflammation. 
  • Red meat: Red meat is good for you, but you shouldn’t eat a lot of it because it can cause inflammation.