Fibromyalgia Diet
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM
People who suffer from fibromyalgia are constantly under attack from pain and fatigue. The body needs every advantage it can gain to fight this disease and restore normalcy. A healthy diet can help restore your immunity and significantly aid in relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Here are some tips for dietary and meal preparation changes that may help you reduce the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia.
The Fibromyalgia Diet
Scientists are currently trying to uncover the link between diet and the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Current research has not proven that any specific foods can affect the condition, for better or for worse. But it is a fact that eating a healthy, balanced diet will strengthen the immune system, prevent secondary diseases, and help you feel your best. A nutritious meal plan will also help to reduce fatigue, lessen the side effects of certain medications, prevent constipation and other digestive disorders, and maintain the chemical balance within the body. For those who suffer from fibromyalgia, every advantage is needed for recovery. Improving your diet does not mean starving yourself or eating tasteless, boring foods. It means making a few small simple changes in your diet to help your achieve your goals.
Food Choices
Eating a healthy diet is not as difficult as you may think. With a little thought and planning, you can prepare meals that are healthy and delicious. Variety and moderation are the keys to a good diet. Try to eat a range of different organic selections of fresh raw fruits and vegetables, raw seeds and organic meats. Remember, your body needs over forty different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients on a daily basis just to grow and function. Eating a variety of foods will help you meet these needs. Also, you should take a daily multi-vitamin such as “Intramax”.
Moderation is also important, but again, this doesn't mean that you should starve yourself. On the contrary, when you are hungry, you will be more likely to panic and reach for whatever quick and easy food you can grab. Often, that quick and easy food tends to be junk food or fast food. Instead, try to eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day so that you are never hungry. And eat slowly, giving your brain enough time to recognize when you are actually full.
Here are a few more guidelines to keep in mind as you make your menu selections:
- Avoid putting extra salt and sugars on prepared foods. These spices add little to no nutritional value to your food and they can place extra stress on your system.
- Use only Celtic sea salt for cooking.
- Drink more pure water. Try to drink at least eight glasses of filtered water a day.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. If you do drink, try to do so in very moderate amounts.
Meal Preparation
Although intentions may be good, it is often difficult for people who suffer from fibromyalgia to take the time to prepare a nutritious meal. In addition, chores such as shopping and cutting fresh vegetables may be too arduous when you are in pain. Just concentrate on eating healthy as often as possible, and do not feel guilty if there are times when you are simply too exhausted to do it. With a little preparation, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that cause you to reach for unhealthy foods.
- Practice good posture when cooking. Poor posture will aggravate the strain on your tender joints.
- Plan to take rest breaks while you are preparing a meal. Start the meal a half hour earlier so that you can take two fifteen-minute breaks during the process.
- Eat your vegetables raw. Purchase pre sliced frozen organic vegetables to add to your dishes. This is to avoid the strain of washing and chopping fresh veggies.
- Invest in some helpful kitchen gadgets like an electric can opener to make preparation easier.
Specific Foods to Avoid
In addition to foods that are high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol, there are other foods that may be aggravating your fibromyalgia symptoms. If you have already improved your diet and you are still having problems, try eliminating some of these foods from your daily meals:
Tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, and peppers: May aggravate the pain of fibromyalgia and promote inflammation within the joints.
Peanuts and peanut products: May cause acid reflux
Pizza: May aggravate heartburn and indigestion
Spicy foods: May upset the stomach
DISCLAIMER: The statements enclosed herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information mentioned on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. We design and recommend individual nutritional programs and supplements that allow the body to rebuild and heal itself naturally. The views and nutritional advice expressed by www.fibromyalgia-support.org are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition, see your physician of choice. This web site contains links to web sites operated by other parties. Such links are provided for your convenience and reference only. We are not responsible for the content or products of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site.
