In fact, on Tippi MS, a social tool for sharing your go-to tips for living with MS, food is one of the most popular topics that people are talking about. While an exact MS diet doesn’t exist, choosing nutritious foods and cutting back on highly processed foods can provide benefits like improving your energy level and reducing the impact of other symptoms. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), diet could even play a role in disease progression. RELATED: A Healthy Diet Equals a Healthier Brain for MS But don’t just take it from us. You can read hundreds of real-life tips in the words of people who have tried it all on Tippi MS. Here are just a few of their best diet tips.
Tip No. 1: Start With Good Nutrition
Because there’s no specific diet for MS, navigating diet advice might seem confusing. But quite simply, the best diet for MS may be to follow the same healthy eating guidelines as everyone else. The NMSS recommends eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet that focuses on real food (like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein) as opposed to processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, and other additives.
Tip No. 2: Reduced Processed Foods and Sugars
Which foods are off-limits for MS? None, really, although some people who have MS say that avoiding certain foods or even whole food groups improves their symptoms. Still, what works for them may not work for you. If you suspect that a particular food group, such as dairy products, or a component of some foods, such as gluten, is negatively affecting your health, speak to your doctor about it. In some cases, your doctor may be able to administer tests to determine whether you have an intolerance or allergy to a food or food group. In other cases, your doctor may suggest trying an elimination diet, ideally under the supervision of a registered dietitian. The idea behind an elimination diet is to stop eating foods that may be triggering an adverse reaction in your body for two or more weeks, then slowly reintroduce them, one by one, to identify how each food makes you feel. RELATED: 4 Myths About Multiple Sclerosis and Diet But cutting back on fast foods, sweets, and foods high in saturated fats doesn’t require following an elimination diet. It generally just means choosing healthful items from the grocery store and preparing more of your meals at home. Here are some strategies to help you stay on track no matter what life throws your way:
