Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by symptoms of pain, fatigue and bowel irritability. The condition can become debilitating, but changes in lifestyle habits, such as nutritional choices, counteracts stress, restores nutritional balance and protects the body from further damage. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, avoiding refined, sugar-filled or processed foods -- including white breads, caffeine and alcohol -- is beneficial to individuals with fibromyalgia. Additionally, incorporating raw fruits and vegetables into your diet benefits health by supplying vitamins and antioxidants for healing. Juicing helps you get the most nutritional value from the raw foods you consume.
Step 1
Choose juicing to increase daily meal intake and fiber consumption. Fibromyalgia-Support.org indicates that eating four to five small meals daily supplies your body with nutrients. Juicing offers a quick means for eating raw vegetables loaded with fiber to regulate digestion, which is often problematic for individuals with fibromyalgia. The University of Maryland Medical Center further indicates that fibromyalgia sufferers tend to have reduced episodes of symptoms when consistently eating foods high in antioxidants, such as vegetables and fruits. Consuming your foods by juicing allows you to eat raw produce in a form that maintains the health benefits of that food while also quickly absorbing the nutrients for reducing the symptoms of fatigue, bowel disturbance and protecting immunity to decrease injury proneness. Use juicing for your fruits and vegetables between bigger meals.
Step 2
Buy pesticide-free or organic vegetables. Celery, carrots and spinach are healthy vegetables to juice, which are sources of antioxidants and B vitamins. Greens, lettuce and cucumber are also good choices for juicing. For taste, add apples, lemon or ginger to your vegetables.
Step 3
Clean produce and precut as needed. Before juicing the produce, clean your chosen fruit or vegetable. Some juicers require you to precut seeds or ends from the produce. For example, cut the skin off one whole cucumber and cut in half. Juice the cucumber and add a cored green apple, then add 1 cup raw spinach. The apple gives a mild sweetness to the cucumbers and spinach, which provides two servings of vegetable and one serving of fruit between solid meals.
Step 4
Mix the different vegetables and fruits to your liking. Start expanding the produce you use once you adapt to using a juicer. Add parsley, cilantro and fennel to improve the flavor of vegetable mixtures. Juice fruits for breakfast, or as an afternoon snack. Consume the produce shortly after juicing to maintain the health benefits and active enzymes.
Step 5
Eat lean protein sources between juicing meals. Juicing to improve nutritional deficiencies and symptoms related to fibromyalgia is significant for your health. However, the National Fibromyalgia Research Association also indicates that consuming lean and low-fat meats, such as salmon, tuna and chicken, is helpful in maintaining nutrition by protecting your immune system and decreasing inflammation associated with fibromyalgia. Pair baked salmon with a glass of juiced spinach, kale and celery to boost your immune system while also consuming antioxidants.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose a juicer that is easiest to handle and fits into your budget. Electrical juicers come in the form of centrifugal, single gear and twin gear. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Juicing maintains the vitamins, minerals and enzymes in raw produce. Your body absorbs juice faster than when eating solid foods alone.
Things You'll Need
- Juicer
References
- National Fibromyalgia Research Association: Fibromyalgia Diet
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia Support: Fibromyalgia and Nutrition
- Holistic Online: Treatment of Fibromyalgia Alternative Medicine
- The Best of Raw Food: Super Tips for Juicing Vegetables
- Mercola.com: Juicing Benefits
