Fibromyalgia is a condition that involves chronic fatigue as well as pain in specific trigger points through the body. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that people with fibromyalgia often suffer from trouble sleeping, skin sensitivities and stiffness in the joints. While fibromyalgia is not dangerous or life-threatening, it can be so debilitating that it can put a person out of work and change his life.
Fruits and Vegetables
According to the Fibromyalgia Network, fibromyalgia sufferers should try to get as many fruits and vegetables in their diet as possible. This is because fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which help to minimize the amount of oxidative damage that free radicals do to the body. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can also help minimize pain and reduce fatigue, according to the Fibromyalgia Network. Eating more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, such as blueberries, apples, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots can benefit a fibromyalgia sufferer.
Fat Intake
While people with fibromyalgia do not need to consume a low-fat diet, choosing to eat fat in the right types of foods can help them. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that people with fibromyalgia should limit red meats and other foods with saturated fat, which have been linked to pain and inflammation. Instead, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends low-fat protein sources like beans and tofu, along with the consumption of unsaturated fats from fish, nuts and olive oil.
Allergens
Fibromyalgia sufferers are not always allergic to foods, but many of them have at least one food allergy or food sensitivity. Foods like milk, wheat, corn and soy are the most common allergens in the diet for fibromyalgia patients, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People with fibromyalgia can be tested for food allergies and sensitivities, so they know what foods they need to avoid.
Food Additives
Food additives, especially artificial sweeteners should be limited if not fully avoided by fibromyalgia sufferers, according to the Fibromyalgia Network. People with fibromyalgia are often sensitive to chemicals, so using them or consuming them in foods could cause problems like headaches and a worsening of muscle pain. Food additives also use up antioxidants, requiring more from the body to maintain health, according to the Fibromyalgia Network.
Supplements
Taking daily supplements can be an important part of the diet for a fibromyalgia sufferer. This is because supplements provide nutrients that are sometimes hard to get from food alone. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that people with fibromyalgia take a multivitamin and vitamin C daily, to support their immune system. A calcium and vitamin D supplement can also help reduce skeletal weakness. Taking magnesium at a dose of 200mg three times a day has been found to reduce some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
