Multiple sclerosis, also known as "MS," is an immune system disease in which the body eats away at nerve coatings in the body, causing the nerves to eventually shut down, the Mayo Clinic says. Symptoms may disappear, then come back again, so the disease may be difficult to diagnose. There is no cure for MS, but medications, including corticosteroids, are prescribed for pain, as well as drugs that help block immune system responses, such as copaxone. You can also lead a healthy and productive life by following a multiple sclerosis diet to keep your immune system as healthy as possible.
Step 1
Limit your servings of dairy to two per day, and stick to nonfat options. According to the Swank MS Diet, acceptable dairy products include skim milk, nonfat cottage cheese, nonfat yogurt, other nonfat cheeses and nonfat ice cream. In place of butter or margarine in the frying pan, use nonfat cooking spray.
Step 2
Eat four servings of whole grains per day. Whole grains contain more vitamins than grains made with white flour, which contains almost no nutritional value. Avoid whole grain muffins and other baked goods because they will usually contain oil, butter and lots of saturated fat.
Step 3
Avoid caffeine as much as possible. If you absolutely cannot function without caffeine, drink three cups total per day. Three is the limit, whether you want to drink two cups of tea and one cup of soda, or three cups of coffee per day.
Step 4
Eat two servings of fruit and two cups of vegetables per day. Keep in mind that olives and avocados contain unsaturated fat and should be incorporated into your daily oil allotment, which is 50 grams per day. One avocado contains 40 g of oil. Three black olives and six green olives contain 5 grams of oil.
Step 5
Avoid red meat as much as possible, and do not eat it at all the first year after starting an MS diet plan. Fish is a good alternative to red meat, especially white fish, of which you can eat as much as you want. Oily fish such as tuna, sardines, salmon, trout and herring should be eaten with regard to the 50 gram-per-day oil allotment. Supplement your diet with white turkey and chicken that does not contain any skin.
Tips and Warnings
- Take vitamins to supplement your MS diet, such as vitamins C and E and cod liver oil.
- Do not eat more than 15 grams of saturated fat per day.
Things You'll Need
- Nonfat dairy products
- Whole grains
