A well-balanced, planned diet can help keep you as healthy as possible. But going on a special diet might not be the best plan. Multiple sclerosis specialists recommend that people with MS follow the low-fat, high-fiber diet that is recommended for the general population. There isn’t enough evidence that a special MS diet actually has any benefit. So even if friends or colleagues tell you about a diet that can “cure” multiple sclerosis, remain skeptical. Eating regular, well-balanced meals has been seen to have benefits in living with multiple sclerosis—and is not that hard to achieve with a little planning.1
Tips2
- Try to set a regular meal schedule. Eat at the same times every day. If 3 big meals is too much, break them into 5 or 6 smaller meals. But resist the impulse to snack on unhealthy items
- Make a list before shopping. Going into a supermarket without a list—or worse, hungry—can mean you buy impulsively, which might not be the healthiest foods
- Work on eating high-fiber foods. This means grains, fruits, and vegetables. Whole wheat bread, brown rice, salad, fruits, and steamed vegetables all bring fiber to your diet, and can improve bowel functions
- Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day. A serving is less food than you might think—1 cup of raw leafy vegetables (like salad), or ½ cup of other vegetables or fruit
- Choose low-fat protein and dairy foods. Try to eat more lean meats, fish, and poultry, or low-fat or non-fat dairy products
Helpful links
National MS Society: Food for thought: MS and nutrition
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/IMSJan03-Restarting.asp
National MS Society: Vitamins, minerals, and herbs in MS
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Brochures-Vitamins.asp
06223577/060791