10 Tips for Your Fibromyalgia Diet
Though there are really no proven Fibromyalgia diet, there are some steps you can take to help you feel better, and to help balance areas that might be out of whack in the body. These dietary changes certainly won’t cure Fibromyalgia, but a person who takes the time to modify their diet and watches what they are eating (and what they are not eating) may find some relief. You should talk to your doctor about your diet and any plans you might have for modification.
Here are ten handy tips to help you get started.
- Watch your sugar intake.
Sufferers who cut down or eliminate sugars altogether often feel better. Don’t forget about the less obvious sources of sugar like high fructose corn syrup, which is found in many sodas and some juices. If you drink juice, make sure it is 100% natural as fruit contains a lot of sugar naturally. - Limit caffeine.
Though you may be feeling tired and think a jolt of caffeine will help you it may actually be counter productive. Most fibromyalgia sufferers have disturbed sleeping patterns and stimulants like caffeine can aggravate this. If you really feel you can’t go without a cup of coffee or tea, drink it in the morning only, and limit yourself to 1 – 2 cups. Caffeine tends to exaggerate sleeping difficulties, so watch for caffeine in any form as its found in items like chocolate and medications, especially when taken later in the day. - Got food allergies?
If you are allergic to any type of food, you should eliminate it completely from your diet. One common problem is lactose intolerance. If this is a problem for you then its important to stop having dairy products. Ask your doctor how to supplement vitamin D and calcium if you decide to cut out dairy products as you need both of these nutrients for a healthy body. - Balance your meals.
Though carbohydrates will give you a burst of energy, try to avoid letting them make up the majority of your overall diet. It is recommended that you have small equal amounts of proteins and carbs each meal with larger portions of fresh vegetables. - Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
You may find that eating smaller meals more regularly will help you feel better, and adding healthy snacks in between can help hold off hunger. Try having five or six small meals a day rather than three large ones. This can help balance body sugars and eliminate fatigue in some people. - Avoid preservatives.
This is a tough one, but it can be done. You should avoid foods that contain preservatives as they can act like toxins to the body. Instead, opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats for the main staples of your diet. Don’t forget about dairy if it is okay for you to have it. - Stop drinking alcohol.
Alcohol can interfere with sleep patterns and may also harm the liver. People often think they sleep more heavily after drinking alcohol, but in reality, while it can help with initially drifting off to sleep it is not the deep, restful sleep that someone with Fibromyalgia needs. - Ask about vitamin supplements.
A lot of Fibromyalgia sufferers aren’t getting the vitamins they need. Appropriate vitamin supplementation can be helpful to almost anyone, and they are a great way to make sure your body is running at it’s optimum. However, there may be reasons why your doctor does not want you to take them, so be sure to talk with them about this first. - Be wary of artificial sweeteners.
These can have the same toxic affect on the body as preservatives. Eliminate them if you can. - Avoid glutamates.
These are a compound that are found in the red tomato, some potatoes, and certain peppers. They may not be a problem for you, but they can cause problems with muscle pains in some. If you eliminate these from your Fibromyalgia diet, you may find muscle pain diminishes.
Try keeping a food diary for a month and note down what you eat and how you feel. If you notice any patterns regarding certain foods and worsening symptoms work to eliminate that food from your Fibromyalgia diet.
Tags: fibromyalgia cure, fibromyalgia natural remedies, fibromyalgia relief
