A healthier year is at the top of a lot of people’s resolution list. Eating healthy is good for all bodies. When you have a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, what you eat plays an integral part in its management. It’s the new year, and if you have fibromyalgia, you may want to consider some diet changes that can positively impact symptoms.
Start Slow
When it comes to choosing which meal option is best for you, start slow. Some of the diets can be very restrictive, and you may find it hard to follow them. The key is to look everything over and choose a plan you know you can follow. You don’t even have to start with a specific program. The first step can be keeping a food diary for identifying foods that trigger symptoms so you can avoid them. Triggers can vary for each person, but some common ones are:
- Dairy
- Caffeine
- MSG
- Artificial sweeteners
Well-Rounded Diet
A balanced diet begins with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, low-fat dairy, and lean protein, such as chicken or fish. Avoid unhealthy foods like those that are processed or fried and have excessive amounts of saturated fats. You should also limit the amount of salt and sugar you consume.
Those who have fibromyalgia know all too well that chronic inflammation is the root of most symptoms. Eating foods that promote a reduction in inflammation is where the following suggestions originate and are a great place to start when making diet changes:
- Choose energy-rich foods: Fibromyalgia can zap your energy. Combine carbs with proteins or healthy fats to slow absorption. Choose foods high in fiber but low in sugar, such as nuts and seeds, broccoli, beans, tofu, and oatmeal.
- Mediterranean Diet: This diet is considered anti-inflammatory. It incorporates very little or no red meat, lean proteins such as fish, lots of veggies, and some fruit and whole grains.
- Vegetarian: Though there are varying veganism levels, most guidelines avoid anything that comes from the animal. This means no meat of any kind, dairy, and eggs. In some cases, adopting a vegetarian diet has been shown to lower inflammation levels, so it may be worth trying.
Advancing Fibromyalgia Treatments
Before starting any diet, be sure to consult with your doctor to identify the best approach that works for you. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce inflammation, and a diet is a great place to start. Symptoms are an ever-present worry for those with fibromyalgia. The need to find safe and effective treatments for patients continues to be a focus area for health officials and researchers.
If you have fibromyalgia, clinical research studies may be an option for you. Research studies help advance ways to detect, prevent, and treat illnesses. Volunteers participating in these studies make these advancements possible. To learn more about the enrolling studies for fibromyalgia at Charlottesville Medical Research, call (434) 817-2442, or visit our website.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-and-diet#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia-diet-to-ease-symptoms#herbal-remedies
