Can I Use a Fibromyalgia Diet
Can I Use a Fibromyalgia Diet to Alleviate My Symptoms?
A clean diet has immense benefits and almost every disease and health problem shows signs of improvement the moment one consumes foods that are wholesome and beneficial. Fibromyalgia is no different.
Our diets these days are chock-full of preservatives, chemicals, additives, etc. All these are extremely detrimental to our health in the long run. Many of the common foods we eat are highly inflammatory too. That is why so many people feel lethargic and have aches and pains.
When you have fibromyalgia, pain is inevitable. You will probably have a feeling of lethargy that constantly hangs over you like a grey cloud. Eating a poor diet will only be adding fuel to the fire. It is crucial that you change your eating habits and eat foods that will benefit your body.
Some foods are beneficial and will ease your pain. Other foods are harmful and will exacerbate your condition and deepen your misery. Most people know what foods to eat and what to avoid. Yet, they’re unwilling to sacrifice the ‘tasty’ foods which are bad, and eat the ‘bland’ foods which are good.
Vegetables and fruit are an afterthought. Yet, cookies and ice cream make our mouths water. Lean chicken breast makes us say ‘Ugh!’ but the thought of a juicy, double cheeseburger makes us salivate. All these cravings are merely habits. You just need to change your eating habits. It may be easier said than done… but it can be done.
You should note that while some foods are generally considered healthy, these foods may aggravate a patient’s fibromyalgia condition. Since the condition tends to vary from individual to individual, the diet will need to be tailored to the individual’s specific condition.
There will be a process of trial and error. You will need to have a food diary where you record what you eat and how you feel after eating those foods. Over time, you may notice a pattern. For example, your pain may be worse when you drink a glass of milk or consume dairy. This will tell you to cut dairy out of your diet since it’s a trigger food.
Gluten is another substance that negatively affects fibromyalgia patients. Gluten is a protein that is present in many foods. Some patients may be able to tolerate gluten while others may find that their condition gets bad. Generally, many fibromyalgia sufferers do not handle gluten well. Avoiding foods that contain gluten will be a good idea.
You may wish to consume foods rich in vitamin B12 and magnesium. Foods such as dark leafy greens, oily fish such as mackerel, tuna and sardines, beans and lentils, bananas, avocados, etc. are all good sources for vitamin B12 and magnesium.
Avoid foods that contain monosodium glutamate and other additives. These ingredients affect your body in ways you may not know. Caffeine is another product that you should avoid. Do not consume coffee, energy drinks, sodas, green tea, etc. Another toxic substance to avoid is artificial sweeteners.
Many people have reported that carbonated beverages and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners have left them feeling lethargic and depleted their energy levels. It’s best not to consume these drinks. Nobody really knows what goes into them anyway. Stick to water and you’ll do just fine.
Avoid junk food and processed food. This is not debatable or open to negotiation. If you have fibromyalgia… and even if you don’t, it’s best if you totally stop eating all junk food.
Stick to the healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, lean meat, etc. Aim to eat single ingredient foods. For example, broccoli is a single-ingredient food. An energy bar is not. Several different ingredients and chemicals were used to make it… and it’s best if you skip eating it.
Once you clean up your diet and eat right, you will have more energy, feel better and look better. Your fibromyalgia symptoms will diminish and your chances of getting painful flare-ups will be much lower. You’ll also shed the excess fat and your cholesterol levels will drop too. It’s a win-win situation. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by eating right.
