Recommended food choices for a healthy diet include low-fat milk, low-fat / low-sodium cheese, lean beef, turkey, chicken, fish, fresh or frozen vegetables, fresh fruit and high-fiber / low-sugar cereals.
Foods to avoid are 2% and whole milk, which contain a large amount of fat and cholesterol. If you do not or cannot consume milk, choose lactose-free milk, soy milk, and almond milk that are fortified with calcium and Vitamin D. Aim for three or more servings a day.
Foods to consider avoiding
Evidence suggests that eating a whole foods diet that limits added sugar and saturated fat can reduce inflammation. A 2020 review also indicates that consuming sugar may negatively affect SLE. Therefore, limiting high fat and high sugar foods may be beneficial for lupus symptoms.
Choose whole grains — like whole-wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and brown rice. Get a mix of healthy proteins — like lean meats, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, and eggs. Go for foods with healthy fats — like olive oil, avocados, nuts, and fish.
6 Whole-grain options to include in a lupus-friendly diet include rice, barley, bulgur (cracked wheat), oatmeal, quinoa, and whole-grain breads, pasta, and/or cereals.
Can any foods make lupus worse? You may have heard to avoid “nightshade vegetables,” which include white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), and eggplant. While there isn't any scientific evidence that directly links them to inflammation, you may find they trigger symptoms for you.
Chocolate and cocoa products may help reduce inflammation, which may benefit people with autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
Avoid salt substitutes — these often replace sodium with potassium. Choose healthy fresh foods that are lower in potassium — check out this list of high- and low-potassium foods. Limit processed meats like deli meat, bacon, sausage or hot dogs, these meats often are packed with extra potassium.
Medications used to treat lupus can cause low vitamin D and bone problems, so this is another reason to focus on eating high vitamin D foods or taking a supplement if recommended by your doctor. Foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D include salmon (and many other fish), eggs, and mushrooms.
Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies to the nuclei of your cells. 98% of all people with systemic lupus have a positive ANA test, making it the most sensitive diagnostic test for confirming diagnosis of the disease.
Reduce stress and tiredness
A daily walk or swim, for example, can lower stress, clear your head, improve your mood, and help fight tiredness. Use meditation, yoga, or guided imagery to relax. Get plenty of rest. Some people with lupus need up to 12 hours of sleep every night.
Your doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following: Hydroxychloroquine: an antimalarial drug that is effective for treating lupus-related arthritis and rashes. It reduces flares by 50 percent and may also help prevent blood clots.
People with lupus tend to suffer from recurring infections, so it's important to add lots of fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, oranges and pineapples into your lupus diet. Fruits that are rich in antioxidants can strengthen your immune system and help your body fight off the harmful ...
Remember that rest is also needed to restore energy. Lupus patients will want to work towards a healthy tiredness where subsequent rest or sleep recharges the batteries, and more recovery obtained in this way should help to minimise lupus tiredness.
Try low-impact exercises like walking, biking, yoga, and swimming. If you're new to exercise, start slow and work your way up over time. Make sleep a priority. Fatigue is one of the most common lupus symptoms that may affect your day-to-day quality of life.
Often, people with lupus experience weight loss or gain due to loss of appetite, unhealthy dietary habits, or decreased energy and mobility. If you experience weight loss or loss of appetite, talk to your doctor. S/he can help you determine the cause of the problem and take strides to correct it.
Foods like onions, asparagus, seeds, lentils, and apples help maintain adequate fiber in your diet. However, in lupus patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), these foods containing high FODMAPs may cause digestive discomfort.
Summary: Researchers have released findings that explain how a type of healthy bacteria in yogurt and other dairy products might reduce disease symptoms in certain patients with lupus.
The Lupus Foundation of America recommends dark leafy greens (spinach, broccoli), reduced-fat dairy products, or calcium supplements with vitamin D.
There is no specific lupus diet, however, two foods that are not recommended are alfalfa sprouts and garlic. These foods can stimulate the immune system and increase inflammation.
Avoid fatty foods, (such as mono saturated fats, trans-fats, saturated fats, and some polyunsaturated omega 6 fats) found in commonly baked, fried and junk foods. Avoid the 4 white foods, including salt, sugar, white flour (refined carbohydrates and starches) and dairy. Avoid spicy foods.