The importance of healthy eating

Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is an important part of protecting your overall health, managing your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, improving your energy levels and boosting your immune system.1

 

The information in this article is general in nature and may not take into consideration your specific nutritional restrictions or requirements. Before starting a new diet, you should consult your doctor to make sure you are making the right choices to support your health.

 

Does diet affect atopic dermatitis (AD)?

The relationship between food and AD is complex. Some people believe that their AD is affected by their diet, but in adults, at least, there’s little scientific evidence of a link. People with AD often have other allergic conditions, including food allergy, but food allergy does not seem to cause AD, at least in adults.2,3

Some foods are believed to help to reduce inflammation in your body but there are as yet no studies to show that dietary changes will improve AD.3

Reducing inflammation

There are studies suggesting that some foods may either increase or decrease inflammation in the body. For example, foods high in sugar, refined starch, processed foods, red/processed meats, some oils can increase inflammation.4 On the other hand, fruits (no grapefruit), vegetables and whole grain foods such as brown rice, whole grain bread, quinoa and barley, have the opposite effect.4

Here’s an example of what a meal high in anti-inflammatory foods could look like:4,5

References: 1. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian dietary guidelines. Available from: eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-09/n55_australian_dietary_guidelines.pdf Accessed: August 2025. 2. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Eczema and food allergy – fast facts. Available from: allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts/eczema-and-food-allergy Accessed: August 2025. 3. Bronsnick T et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014;71(6):1039.e1–1039.e12. 4. WebMD. Anti-inflammatory diet: Foods to eat and foods to avoid. Available from: webmd.com/diet/anti-inflammatory-diet-road-to-good-health Accessed: August 2025. 5. Mayo Clinic. Weightloss: Feel full on fewer calories. Available from: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20044318 Accessed: August 2025. AC-005092-00. AU-RNQ-250075. August 2025.