Food and Fibromyalgia

DOES IT MATTER WHAT WE EAT IF WE HAVE FIBROMYALGIA?

This is a question that has plagued many a doctor and scientist, as well as patients who have had fibromyalgia (fibro) for years. There are mixed conclusions, so I am going to give you my take, as a fibromite, on whether or not food affects this disease.

It most definitely does! Of course, since this is a disease of many mysteries and many symptoms and we all differ in those some what…it all depends. It depends on your physical and chemical makeup. So with each of us it is different to an extent.

Yet, there is one common denominator, sugar. Those foods that have sugar or create sugar (carbs) play a definite role in the activity of your strength and sometimes your pain level.

Magicians or folks who want to sell you something concerning balance will have you hold your hands out, test your strength and then put sugar on your tongue and test it again. You will be much weaker.

It is no trick, unless it is a trick of Mother Nature. You can take a strong muscular man/woman and a small weak one and will find the absolutely same reaction from sugar on the tongue. Sugar is no discerner of persons.

Am I for banning all sugar? Absolutely not.

Balance is the key, as well as moderation. If you know that sugar is a big problem for you, wisdom would dictate avoiding it as much as possible.

However, if you cannot resist, say, chocolate cake…imbibe in a small amount. Remember you ate it and rest accordingly. Pick your battles; it’s much more fun that way.

I have denied fervently that sugar, chocolate, bananas cause me to become weak or cause migraines. I was addicted. Never mind my denial, when I indulge in these things, I wind up hurting. I can no longer deny the affect these things have on my body.

I realize the huge impact that eliminating or even cutting sugar down in your diet will cause. It is a challenge that should be in the Olympics, in my humble opinion. You must train for it and then constantly exercise those brain vibes to be consistent.

It is really difficult; especially when no one else understands the impact of sugar and other foods have on your body? Difficult, but not impossible.

You are not alone. New diabetics are going through the same thing as you. Only for them, it is life threatening to continue on with the sugar.

For you, as a fibromite, it is life altering and once you have altered your way of thinking about how you eat, you will only improve.

It is very important to keep a balanced diet; vitamins are good, and often necessary, but so is eating real food. I learned this the hard way, naturally!

Just because we hear good advice does not mean we know it is true. Especially when whatever is hurting us is our emotional crutch.

Food has more benefit than just taste and satisfaction. It is truly the honest fuel for human bodies.

Knowing what is good for your particular body is important and a mystery until you become a detective and find out.

Do not, I repeat, do not approach this challenge as I did.

When I discovered the bit about sugar, I simply quit eating. Everything had sugar in it and I wanted to feel good again.

This approach had the opposite effect. I did not feel good at all. I felt worse. My head swam; I was constantly tired and too weak to lift even a gallon of milk or a two liter of soda.

So I started with simple foods, like oatmeal, with artificial sweetener (S&L). I added tart dried cherries and sometimes raisins, although I must only eat a few raisins at a time.

I started with two bowls of oatmeal a day. I now eat twice a day and have a decent snack somewhere in between. I never eat after 6:00 pm.

Many foods, like raisins, are full of natural sugar. So beware how your body handles this, and eat accordingly. (Personally bananas and raisins affect me.)

I drink at least 7 glasses of liquid a day (sugar free, of course). Cleaning out the system is essential to good health.

Also, I began taking very short walks until I was doing it with ease. Then I lengthened my walks. With time I will be able to go back to the YMCA and join the water aerobics class. I look forward to that.

A bonus: I have lost over 46 pounds and am still losing, without trying. I am simply improving my health.

Most of what I have said is applicable to any disease or wellness program. However, it is vital, as a fibromite that you take it seriously.

Keep a positive outlook and remember that it takes more muscles to create a frown than it does a smile. Stay young longer. And, yes, you will feel so much younger once you start feeling better.

I wish you healthy days!!