MS and Healthy Eating

What you eat can affect how you feel and may help you manage your symptoms.

Before you read on for helpful nutrition tips, keep in mind that there are several nutrition theories or diets that claim to treat MS. These include diets low in gluten (a type of protein found in wheat, rye and barley), high in polyunsaturated fats or high in certain vitamins such as vitamins B and C. Other diets assume that every person with MS is allergic to certain types of food. So far, no diet, vitamin, or dietary supplement has been proven to "cure" MS or completely control symptoms. This is because there is no evidence that a nutrition-related factor is involved in the cause of MS.

So what should you do? Stick to the basics of nutritious eating! Here are some nutritious suggestions for people with MS:

• Add plenty of grains, fruits, and vegetables to your diet. Foods from these groups are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and other substances important for your health.
• Whole grains - such as quinoa, whole grain varieties of brown rice, bread, pasta, and oats - add fibre to the carbohydrates in your diet. Try to make whole grains a quarter of your plate for every meal.
• Aim to make vegetables and fruit half of your plate for every meal. Have dark green vegetables every day and orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potato a few times a week. Fresh, frozen or canned vegetables and fruits are all healthy options, but check nutrition labels to select ones with less added sodium or sugar.
• Choose low-fat protein foods. This includes eggs, lean meats, nuts and seeds, lower-fat dairy products, beans, peas and lentils, and tofu or other soy products. Try to make protein foods a quarter of your plate for every meal.
• Foods containing healthy fats should be preferred over those containing mostly saturated fat. Healthy fats can be found in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, avocado and fatty fish.
• Limit highly processed foods such as baked goods, desserts like ice cream or chocolate, salty snacks, sauces and condiments, and sugary drinks like juice or sweetened coffee or tea.
• Make water your drink of choice.

Keep in mind that some diets that claim to cure or control MS symptoms may actually deplete your body of necessary vitamins and nutrients. Before considering any special diets, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Some people with MS have other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. These people may require special diets or medications. If you have other health concerns, talk to your health care professional or a registered dietitian about your nutritional needs.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/MS-and-Healthy-Eating

You can help manage bladder and bowel symptoms with proper nutrition and fluid intake. If you experience constipation, keep things moving by increasing your intake of fibre. Dietary fibre is found in foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. Try to eat at least 20 to 35 grams of fibre each day. For example, one medium apple contains four grams of fibre, one-half cup of black beans has almost ten grams of fibre, and a half-cup of most bran cereals contains about ten grams of fibre. Check the nutrient information on food packages to see the fibre content.

Here are other tips to increase the fibre in your diet:

• Add fibre to your diet gradually, because too much too quickly may lead to gas, abdominal bloating and diarrhea. Drink a glass of water or other beverage after consuming high fibre meals.
• Choose a high-fibre breakfast cereal and whole grain breads, pasta and cereals.
• Enjoy beans, peas and lentils in a variety of ways, because there are many creative ways to cook with these foods.
• Choose snacks high in fibre, such as nuts, seeds, chopped vegetables and dried fruit. Most health foods stores have nut bars with varieties of dried fruits and seeds.
• Eat fruit for dessert or chopped on cereal, and add vegetables to your favorite dishes.

Also, remember that even mild exercise, such as walking or stretching, can help prevent constipation.

Are you drinking enough water?

Keeping hydrated is important for managing MS symptoms. However, sometimes people with MS are concerned about urinary frequency or loss of bladder control and limit their fluid intake. Restricting fluid intake can contribute to problems such as dehydration, dry mouth, difficulties with swallowing, loss of appetite, constipation, and even deficiencies in certain nutrients. Therefore, you should drink 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of water every day.

If that seems like a lot of water each day, try these tips to make sure you get the fluid you need:

• When you pass by water fountains, take a long drink.
• Carry a full bottle of water with you when you leave home.
• Have water with meals.
• Limit caffeine-rich drinks such as coffee, tea, cola and other soft drinks. Caffeine should be avoided if you have bladder problems.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink them in moderation. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system and can increase balance and coordination problems. It may also irritate the bladder and aggravate problems with urinary urgency.

If you have bladder symptoms such as urinary frequency of loss of bladder control, talk to your doctor and ask for their recommendations on managing symptoms.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/MS-and-Healthy-Eating

Certain types of fatigue such as neuromuscular fatigue, depression-related fatigue, and MS lassitude can affect people with MS. Fatigue can decrease your appetite, activity levels, and interest or ability in preparing food.

Here are some tips to help you get the nutrition your body needs when fatigue becomes challenging:

• Eat smaller meals more frequently. Keep your fridge and cupboards stocked with healthy, energizing snacks such as peanut butter, pre-shredded cheese, dried fruit or raisins, individual cartons of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, or bagged salads and pre-cut vegetables.
• Dial for dinner! Find restaurants that deliver healthy or special meals - keep a file with their menus and telephone numbers.
• Make shopping lists before visiting the grocery store.
• Stock up on the basics, such as canned beans, chopped tomatoes, sauces, canned tuna, and any other foods that you eat or cook with frequently.
• Make extra food when you're cooking lunch or dinner; store or freeze leftovers for more meals.

How user-friendly is your kitchen? An occupational therapist can suggest ways to rearrange your kitchen to make meal preparation easier. There are utensils, storage systems, reaching aids, and adapted stovetops that help make cooking and eating easier. Your doctor can refer you to an occupational therapist who can help you rearrange your kitchen to best meet your needs.

Also, if you have trouble carrying groceries home, find delivery or shopping services in your area, or ask for help from friends and family.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/MS-and-Healthy-Eating

Good nutrition is essential for everyone, but people with MS may have special considerations and needs. Your symptoms or your medications can affect your ability to eat certain foods which, in turn, can affect your health. Talk to your health care professional about dry mouth and other symptoms that interfere with eating.

If you have difficulty chewing or swallowing, you may need to change the form of some of your foods. Keep the following tips in mind:

• Thick drinks such as milk shakes or juices can make swallowing easier.
• Crackers, cookies and cakes crumble easily and can cause choking; avoid these foods if possible.
• Preparing foods with a blender can help make chewing easier.
• Eating smaller meals more frequently, instead of three large meals, can help you eat more easily.

You should also talk to your doctor about swallowing problems. A doctor might refer you to a specialist who can suggest changes in the way you prepare foods or in the way you sit and breathe while you eat.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/MS-and-Healthy-Eating