Natural Diets for Fibromyalgia
With all the diets available for people who suffer from fibromyalgia, choosing a diet plan that's right for you can be a little daunting. Eating healthy is beneficial for all people, no matter what ailments you may have. However, one diet that has eased the pain of fibromyalgia for many people is called the natural diet. A natural diet consists of foods that contain no preservatives or other fillers.
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What Foods Are Considered Natural?
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According to the USDA, "Products labeled 'natural' cannot contain any artificial flavor or flavoring, coloring ingredient, chemical preservative, or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient; and the product and its ingredients are not more than minimally processed (ground, for example)."
A few examples of natural foods that would benefit people who suffer from fibromyalgia are raw foods like apples or cabbage, any whole meats and eggs. These foods have not had any man-made ingredients added to them. Unnatural food examples would be processed items found in grocery stores like mayonnaise or barbecue sauce, packaged macaroni and cheese or pizza.
Are Organic Foods the Same as Natural Foods?
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No, organic foods are not the same as natural foods. Organic foods are made with no chemical fertilizers and no harmful pesticides. Organic meats, eggs or dairy products mean that the animal was not fed any antibiotics or growth hormones. Natural foods can be organic. Organic foods have also been beneficial for fibromyalgia sufferers in that they contain no additives that can irritate certain symptoms. Natural foods are more reasonably priced than organic foods.
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What Can I Eat on a Natural Diet for Fibromyalgia?
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A balanced diet of grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk, meats and that are prepared without any processed ingredients, like food colorings or artificial ingredients, is beneficial to people diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
The following is a suggested shopping list of natural foods to help the fibromyalgia sufferer feel better. These natural foods will also help alleviate some of the conditions associated with fibromyalgia, such as irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and chronic fatigue.
Fruits: apples, bananas, tomatoes, melons, peaches, oranges and berries.
Vegetables: turnips, spinach, beans, radishes, broccoli, celery and lentils.
Meats (proteins): tuna, seafood, turkey, chicken, beef, liver, pork, salmon and cod.
Other proteins: seeds, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, nuts and natural soy products.
Natural products for recipes: honey, brown rice, unbleached whole-wheat flour, whole wheat pastas and pure cane sugar.
Foods to Avoid While on a Natural Diet
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Avoid drinks or foods that can cause "crash and burn" effects. Coffee contains caffeine, which is harmful to people who suffer from fibromyalgia. Caffeine can cause spikes of energy, but you'll eventually come crashing down. Even though pure cane sure is on the natural food list, sugar intake should be kept to a minimum. Sugar can also contribute to the "crash and burn" syndrome. Avoid chocolate. Chocolate is normally high in fat and caffeine and leads to less energy for those with fibromyalgia.
Things to Remember
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There is no "magical cure" for fibromyalgia. People who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia have found relief through incorporating natural foods into their diet. Always remember to watch your fat intake as well as the amount of cholesterol you ingest. See your physician before embarking on any diet plan.
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