The Eating Plan for Managing Fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome, not a disease, in which people experience long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues.  Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, anxiety and other symptoms.

Since it is not necessarily caused by any one problem, fibromyalgia sufferers will benefit most from an overall healthy and balanced diet.

Eating Plan for Fibromyalgia

While there may not be a single set of dietary guidelines that are right for all fibromyalgia sufferers, there are certain foods, or food groups, that appear to make a difference for a significant number of people.

As important as sticking to a balanced diet and choosing foods wisely is, when dealing with fibromyalgia it is even more important to not choose the wrong foods. Certain foods and drinks could be causing you more pain then you can make up for by eating right.

It will take some trial and error to find what helps and what hurts, but with a little planning and diet management you can be on the road to managing your fibromyalgia.

Foods and Beverages to Avoid:

1. 

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   Alcoholic beverages
2. Artificial Sweeteners such as aspartame (NutraSweet) and saccharine
3. Carbonated beverages such as colas and soda pop
4. Coffee and caffeinated teas
5. Dairy
6. Food Additives such as preservatives, salt and MSG (monosodium glutamate)
7. Fried foods
8. Fructose
9. Gluten
10. High fat dairy foods
11. Nightshade Plants such as tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes, and eggplan
12. Red meats (especially salt cured, cured bacon, smoked, or nitrate cured)
13. Simple carbohydrates
14. Some acidic foods
15. White flour
16. White sugar
17. Yeast

Control Inflammation

In many cases, inflammation is the leading cause of the underlying symptoms that lead to your pain. Like any inflammatory diet, people who suffer from Fibromyalgia Syndrome should limit intake of foods that are associated with typical allergies (gluten, milk, peanuts, shellfish and wheat). It is also important to add omega 3’s, antioxidants, lean proteins, fiber and water. These foods will help restore your immune system and help reverse chronic inflammation.

The Fibromyalgia Diet