According to MayoClinic.com, about 2 percent of all Americans suffer the symptoms of fibromyalagia, a chronic condition characterized by fatigue and widespread pain in the body's muscles and tendons. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases reports that while there is no specific diet plan to treat fibromyalgia, nutrition can play a role in decreasing pain related to the syndrome.
Step 1
Eliminate alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages and chocolate from your diet. Although beverages and foods containing caffeine can give your energy a boost, caffeine also can keep you awake. Poor sleep is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, so caffeine might aggravate already existing sleep problems. If you can't do without caffeine altogether, avoid drinking beverages that contain caffeine in the late afternoon and evening.
Step 2
Overcome fatigue by not eating high-fat dairy products, junk foods that contain refined sugar, artificial sweeteners or white flour, or processed meats. Increased insulin levels can cause energy highs and lows. A group of chemicals found in sugar substitutes can also increase a person's sensitivity to pain. Aspartame in particular is known for making pain worse.
Step 3
Stay away from foods that contain additives and preservatives. Many fibromyalgia patients suffer coexisting conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can be made worse by what you eat. Food additives also can stimulate pain receptors.
Step 4
Follow a low-fat diet. Eating fried foods and those containing high percentages of trans fats can cause inflammation. Include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These fats are healthy for the heart and might help to reduce pain by decreasing swelling, joint pain, inflammation and stiffness.
Step 5
Eat a low-carbohydrate diet. Fibromyalgia patients often suffer from problems related to adrenal function, which affects how the body metabolizes carbohydrates. This in turn can lead to hypoglycemia.
Step 6
Give up eating foods that have a high acid content. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers have been known to cause more muscle pain in some patients who have arthritis or fibromyalgia. Include a variety of fresh fruits and raw vegetables in your daily diet instead, as these are rich in antioxidants. The National Fibromyalgia Association points out that flavonoids found in apples, grapes, strawberries and cranberries help fight inflammation. Get the benefit of more nutrients by eating produce whole rather than cooked.
Step 7
Plan your meals carefully. Eat most of the protein you need for the day at breakfast, which should be your biggest meal of the day. Another alternative is to eat several small snacks throughout the morning in place of a single breakfast meal. Eat your smallest meal of the day at dinnertime. The meal should consist of carbohydrates, not protein.
