Introduction
Do you struggle with fibromyalgia? It can be a frustrating, painful, and debilitating condition that makes life far harder than it should be. If you struggle with this condition, you may find yourself with chronic pain and fatigue.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. This is a lifelong condition that will never truly go away. But that doesn’t mean you should give up hope. There are many different ways you can manage your fibromyalgia. These management techniques will help you reduce your pain and discomfort and allow you to live an active life.
One of the best ways to manage your fibromyalgia is through your diet. Here, we’ll discuss the foods you should be eating for your condition, as well as the foods you should avoid.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that will cause you to experience musculoskeletal pain across your body. What causes fibromyalgia can sometimes be difficult to target and identify.
It is generally thought[1] that fibromyalgia is due to the changes in your brain’s pain pathways. Specifically, it affects the way your spinal cord and brain react to both painful and non painful signals. These changes result in more intense pain than someone without the condition.
If you have fibromyalgia, you may experience widespread pain that may present itself as a dull, constant ache. You might also feel fatigued and have trouble focusing and thinking clearly.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
You may be wondering what exactly causes fibromyalgia and if there’s anything you can do to avoid it.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to pinpoint what exactly causes fibromyalgia. Some people begin experiencing symptoms after they get a traumatic injury. Sometimes, having other health conditions and illnesses like arthritis can cause fibromyalgia.
If you have had major surgery, it could trigger fibromyalgia to appear. It also tends to present itself more in people who aren’t often physically active.
Physical causes aren’t the only things that can trigger fibromyalgia In other cases, mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety, depression, or a major life event can lead to the development of the condition. Often, it is a series of things that lead up to fibromyalgia.
Genetics also plays a role. Fibromyalgia appears to run in the family. If you have a family history of this health disorder, you may be more at risk of having it yourself.
Foods You Should Eat in Fibromyalgia
- Whole Grains – If you have fibromyalgia, then you should aim to eat a lot of food that contains whole grains. These foods are rich in necessary vitamins and nutrients as well as proteins, which makes them one of the best foods for fibromyalgia.
- Healthy Oils – Many people try to cut oils out of their diets completely, but that’s not necessary. Oils can be an essential part of an overall healthy diet as long as you choose healthful ones. Olive oil is a great choice for your fibromyalgia diet.
- Fruits and Vegetables – From the time you were a kid, you were probably told to eat your fruits and veggies. There’s a reason for that! These are nutrient-dense foods that make them some of the best foods for fibromyalgia. Fruits and veggies like spinach, broccoli, berries, and citrus fruits are particularly good for you.
-
Herbs and Spices – Herbs and spices can do a surprising amount for your fibromyalgia diet. This is because many of them have antioxidants, which help remove toxins from your body and reduce inflammation. This will help ease your pain.
- Vitamin D-Rich Foods – Vitamin D is naturally produced by your body when you’re in the sun. But you can also find it in many foods. Some studies[2] have shown that there is a link between fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiencies. So, eating foods like eggs, salmon, and canned tuna can help put vitamin D back into your body. These are some of the best foods for fibromyalgia.
Foods You Should Avoid in Fibromyalgia Diet
- Gluten – Gluten is an inflammatory food, which means that it can trigger pain in your body. You should be very careful about not ingesting too much gluten in your fibromyalgia diet.
- Processed Foods – Processed foods tend to have a lot of additives in them. These ingredients can make some of your fibromyalgia symptoms worse. For this reason, it’s best to leave them out of your fibromyalgia diet and look for whole foods instead.
- Added Sugar – If you’re looking for the best foods for fibromyalgia, it’s important to always read the labels on the food you’re buying. If there’s any added sugar, you’ll want to avoid it since it activates more inflammation.
- Meat Products – Meat, especially red meat, can trigger inflammation in your body. Try to limit your intake of red meat for this reason. Instead, replace it with lean meat like fish and poultry.
- Dairy – Dairy is also known as an inflammatory, which does not make it one of the best foods for fibromyalgia. Try your best to limit your intake or avoid it completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to managing your fibromyalgia, the best fibromyalgia diet is one that’s well-rounded and full of vitamin and nutrient-rich foods. If you’re wondering specifically what a good diet looks like, speak to your doctor.
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia cannot be cured with a diet. What causes fibromyalgia itself is often a murky thing. While fibromyalgia cannot be eliminated, it can be managed. Keep up with a healthy diet and speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.
While what causes fibromyalgia can be tricky to pinpoint from person to person, we know that a good diet can help manage symptoms.
The best kind of diet is one that's full of nutritious foods. Avoid processed foods and foods known to cause inflammation, and instead, look for antioxidant and nutrient-rich foods.