Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that causes swelling and pain in various parts of the body. This condition is known to affect as many as five million people. The treatment of fibromyalgia can take some time to show progress since doctors are still unsure of the exact cause of the condition. Due to this, many patients are either advised by professionals or they take matters into their own hands by changing their dietary pattern, which works as an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia.

The Best Dietary Habits for Fibromyalgia Patients

Most people who suffer from fibromyalgia note that the foods they consume have an impact on the symptoms they experience in everyday life. There are many planned and published diets, but no diet plan has worked very effectively to improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia sufferers.

Most patients prefer to have a well-balanced diet that includes green vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and protein. The food should be fresh, well-prepared, and hygienic.

Some foods act as mild triggers for fibromyalgia sufferers, thus indicating a link between diet and fibromyalgia.

This diet plan has helped everyone affected by fibromyalgia and offers a unique way of actively updating the plan as required. The flexible diet plan is exclusive, useful, and highly popular, too. Its approach is simple and straightforward and can accommodate anyone by allowing changes to be made according to the patient’s requirements.

Elimination Challenge Diet

A diet diary is a simple way to keep track of every food item consumed and the changes in symptoms, if any. The diary can be used systematically: every page of the diary has a calendar, which makes it easy to mark the date and time along with any activities done and the foods consumed.

Once you have had the food diary for at least two weeks, you can then begin the elimination challenge diet. The elimination challenge is the process of eliminating certain food items for a specific period of time (three to four weeks), then slowly reintroducing them back into the diet while observing the possible changes and monitoring symptoms. This is the most effective way to find the best and worst of your symptoms.

In order to make your own diet plan, first you must recognize the pattern of food consumed and any changes in symptoms. According to a recent survey, more than thirty percent of fibromyalgia sufferers have made changes in their diet, and it has helped them in their everyday lives. There is no particular diet plan suggested or planned for fibromyalgia sufferers, which makes it more difficult for them as they are dependent on the foods available, which leads to situations of becoming overweight, and that adds to the list of problems.

The diet offered with food alternatives surely helps fibromyalgia patients more than anything else. Fibromyalgia sufferers can choose the food products they prefer and those which help their lifestyle.

Alternative Food Products

According to research, it is suggested that patients with fibromyalgia should start using alternative food products which will make their diet more effective and help overcome major or minor health issues.

According to a study by expert dieticians, people suffering from fibromyalgia should avoid aspartame and replace it with another sugar substitute. Caffeine, which does not allow for restful sleep for fibromyalgia patients, should be used only during the first half of the day to minimize the risk of sleeplessness.

Excessive intake of sugar makes life difficult and painful for fibromyalgia patients. Instead of sugar, you can have fruits, which are full of natural sugar. Use of MSG and sodium nitrite is very common in processed foods, but these cause swelling and severe pain for patients with fibromyalgia. It is better to avoid such painful ingredients and instead replace them with brown rice, fish, and lentils, which are safe and energy-fueling, too.

Dairy products also affect patients with fibromyalgia and make them slow down, even by consuming a glass of milk. It is better to eliminate dairy products completely from one’s diet plan first, then check to see if the symptoms improve. Instead of dairy products, start using calcium-rich products like broccoli, tuna, and soy milk.  

For some fibromyalgia patients, gluten creates health issues, so when your doctor asks you to eliminate it from your daily diet, you should replace it with food products made of rice or corn.

Food Rules Before Starting the Diet:

• Increase intake of vitamin D: Due to lack of exposure to the sun and not having proper meals that include vitamin D, many adults are prone to a vitamin D deficiency. This is one of the essential vitamins for patients suffering from fibromyalgia. The first step in diagnosing should be to get screened for a vitamin D deficiency, as it can also lead to pain in the muscles and bones. One should go in for vitamin D supplements.
• Inclusion of fish: Fish is known to be loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are very important for the body. This is also found in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed. These foods are known to reduce inflammation in the body and also prevent cardiovascular problems. Those who tried just three months of a regular intake of any of these food items have seen a big difference in symptoms like pain in the joints and morning stiffness.
• Avoid intake of additives: There are certain common food additives, such as monosodium glutamate and aspartame, which can act as excitotoxins. This is a chemical group which has the ability to activate the neurons known to increase one’s sensitivity to pain.

Diet Plan With Nutrition Supplements

These are some suggestions of alternative food products for patients with fibromyalgia to try in everyday life. When you want to try an alternative food product instead of the common food item, try one product at a time and never all at once. Every time you make use of an alternative product, observe the symptoms and make a note of it. If there is any improvement, add the food product to your diet.

The disease fibromyalgia is mainly caused by prolonged stress. It is a kind of biological abnormality that could affect the nervous system. Pharmaceutical drugs are the best form of medicine used to treat patients suffering from fibromyalgia. The diet plan should be updated by testing and adding nutrient supplements on a regular basis.                                                                    

Diet Plan With Home Remedies

There are many home remedies which are effective for people suffering from fibromyalgia. But, before using them, consult with experts. Find their effectiveness in controlling the disease by experimenting with various remedies. Note down the results in terms of positive or negative symptoms. Keep a diary for the first few weeks at least and note down the various food products used in the diet plan.

The Fibromyalgia Diet will help you get better and remain active while enjoying the food of your choice. Most patients with fibromyalgia have been successfully enjoying their lives and are updating their elimination challenge diet all the time.