- Avoid the following foods and beverages: chocolate, alcohol, sodas, coffee, white sugar, white flour, fried foods, foods with preservatives, salt, red meat, tobacco, fatty dairy foods, and artificial sweeteners. You should also avoid foods that contains these ingredients. According to HealthGuidance, avoiding these ingredients can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. According to eMedTV, eating a well-balanced diet helps fibromyalgia sufferers feel better while reducing their risk of developing heart disease or cancer. They recommend eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. They also recommend lean meats, fish, poultry, beans and eggs as part of a fibromyalgia diet.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It helps strengthen the immune system, reducing fibromyalgia symptoms. According to the University of Maryland, good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, nut oils, and algae.
- Eating foods rich in antioxidants also improves the immune system, according to HealthGuidance. Antioxidants are commonly found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and some spices. According to FitDay, berries, dried plums, raspberries, strawberries, and red delicious apples are fruits with the highest antioxidant content. Russet potatoes, pinto beans, and black beans have the highest antioxidant content for vegetables. Spices rich in antioxidants include oregano, cinnamon, and cloves.
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Avoid foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG). Processed or fast foods often contain high levels of MSG. According to AnneCollins.com, MSG aggravates fibromyalgia, worsening its symptoms. Avoid it by not eating processed or fast foods when possible.
MSG is also found in other additives, including hydrolyzed protein, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, autolyzed yeast, and yeast extract. People with fibromyalgia should avoid food containing these ingredients.
