Foods to Help Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes pain, discomfort and fatigue. It is often difficult to diagnose and to treat. There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, but there are steps that you can take to relieve some of the symptoms. Making changes to your lifestyle and nutrition can relieve some symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

Foods to Remove

Remove chocolate, carbonated beverages, alcohol and coffee from your diet if you have fibromyalgia. None of them offer health benefits that cannot be produced by healthier foods and beverages.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid dairy foods high in fat, fried foods, junk foods, salt, preservatives, white sugar and flour. Mary Moeller, author of Fibromyalgia Cookbook and The Fibromyalgia Nutrition Guide, suggests cutting out salt-cured and smoked red meats for the best results.

Foods to Focus On

Eat lean meats such as chicken, turkey and fish. Include in your diet small amounts of low-fat dairy foods or nonfat milk. Mary Moeller suggests eating fresh eggs, unsalted nuts, beans, raw vegetables, whole grains, small amounts of fruit, and oils rich in monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.

Lifestyle Suggestions

Drink eight or more glasses of water every day. Stretch and exercise every day to keep your body in good shape. Keep track of what you eat on a daily basis to link your food choices with the status of your fibromyalgia symptoms.