Fibromyalgia Diet

By Lisa Weber,

Fibromyalgia patients often complain that they "ache all over." Other common symptoms include interrupted sleep and severe fatigue. Some patients report chronic headaches, painful periods (in women), swollen extremities and a dry mouth. While there's no cure for fibromyalgia, many patients report that maintaining a strict, healthy diet helps to ease their symptoms.

1. Discover "Light" Carbohydrates

   • Filling up on "light" carbohydrates will keep insulin levels from rising, which often causes increased fibromyalgia symptoms. Light carbs include blueberries, strawberries, string beans, zucchini, bell peppers and mushrooms.

   Keep Protein Healthy

   • The best sources of protein for people with fibromyalgia are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. This includes white chicken meat, turkey breast and egg whites, as well as soy hot dogs, burgers and sausages.

   Avoid Foods that Cause Fatigue

   • Many common convenience foods and beverages aggravate fibromyalgia symptoms, and should therefore be avoided. These include food and drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, soda and chocolate, as well as processed and fried foods, foods with added preservatives and red meats.

   Stick With "Healthy Fats"

   • Fibromyalgia patients should get most of their dietary fat from monounsaturated fats, or "healthy fats." You can find them in olive and canola oils, as well as macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, almonds and cashews.

   Keep a Food Diary

   • Keep a diary that tracks everything you eat each day, and how you feel on that day. Different fibromyalgia patients react to food in different ways. Look for any correlation between the foods you consumed and your fibromyalgia symptoms. Use your diary as a guide to regulating your diet.