Dried fruit, seeds and beans are rich in magnesium and help the body use calcium properly. Dried fruit makes a great alternative to sugary snacks. Cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, squash and carrots can help with fibromyalgia symptoms as well.
Dairy: Many people who have fibromyalgia are also lactose intolerant, so dairy products can exacerbate pain. However, getting enough calcium is important, so if you can't eat yogurt or drink milk, eat foods fortified with calcium or talk to your doctor about taking a daily calcium supplement.
Avoid Simple Carbs, Whole Wheat & Whole Grains
Fibromyalgia patients often experience general hypersensitivity which translates into increased sensitivity to blood-sugar highs and lows. Avoid simple carbs like white sugar, white flour, and even wheat if possible.
Worst Foods to Eat When Suffering from Fibromyalgia Pain
MSG and nitrates (food additives) Simple carbohydrates. Red meat. Caffeine, including tea, coffee, soda and chocolate.
For people with fibromyalgia, it may help to limit excess dairy intake. This is because many dairy products contain saturated fat. People should try to opt for low fat versions or dairy alternatives such as soy milk. It may also help to limit the consumption of red meat.
Some vegetables may trigger flare up of symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. These include tomatoes, chili, eggplant and bell pepper.
Don't eat cured meats. That includes bacon, ham, canned meat products, jerky and any meats from your deli case. Processed meats contain high levels of salt as well as chemicals used in processing and flavoring them.
Physical and emotional stress are the most common triggers of fibromyalgia flares. Other triggers include lack of sleep, weather changes, and hormone imbalances.
The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) transmits information all over your body through a network of specialised cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.
Look out for wheat-free cereals such as corn flakes, millet flakes or rice puffs. These are available in sugar-free versions in many supermarkets and most health stores. Wheat-free pastas made from spelt, rice, corn and other non-wheat grains can also be found in health stores and some supermarkets.
Dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are also good options. Eat more fiber. Beans, fruits, vegetables, lentils, and brown rice are healthy choices. People who are not eating enough fiber should increase fiber levels gradually and drink extra water to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.
The fibromyalgia spoon theory goes something like this: A person starts the day with a certain number of spoons. Each spoon represents a burst of energy. Showering in the morning might require a spoon. Getting dressed is another spoon.
Play mind games. Biofeedback, deep breathing, meditation, self-hypnosis, or even just distracting yourself with a good book or some soothing music can help take your mind off the pain and make coping with a flare more manageable, say experts at the National Fibromyalgia Association.
Magnesium
Not only is it credited with keeping the heart, kidneys and bones strong, it also helps us avoid muscle spasms, weakness and back pain, Dr. Teitelbaum says. Women with fibromyalgia may be deficient in magnesium, studies suggest. And magnesium may help relieve fibro pain and other symptoms.
It's one thing that can help to improve FM health. The sugar and dairy in milk chocolate can actually exacerbate our symptoms and create more inflammation. Dark chocolate is definitely an acquired taste, but well worth it. You can start at 60% and work your way up to 90% dark chocolate.
In addition to the ample amounts of antioxidants, green tea is also known for its chlorophyll content which is also known to aid in fibromyalgia.
Choose Dark, Leafy Greens, Nuts, and Seeds for Magnesium
Magnesium is found in many healthy foods, including legumes (dried beans and lentils), nuts and seeds, avocado, yogurt, bananas, fatty fish, dark chocolate, and dark, leafy greens.
While there is little evidence linking sugar to fibromyalgia pain, reducing intake of refined carbohydrates such as white rice and bread can help reduce symptoms. Refined carbohydrates can aggravate pain because these foods are digested very quickly, causing blood sugar levels to spike and then drop.