Fibromyalgia Support Group

This morning I actually have some energy to research this. It seems like there are some websites out there that want to sell you their diets and cures.

WebMD has a good article on "FM - The Diet Connection" which actually made alot of sense.
It's alot of basics - stay away from chemicals in your food (MSG, aspartame, nitrates), stay away from simple carbs (sugar, white bread, etc) and stay away from yeast and gluten. They also suggest no dairy if you are allergic, and no nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers and eggplant). The hardest for me is the getting rid of caffeine - coffee, tea, colas and chocolate. I love my coffee and chocolate.

The link for this website is:

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/...

Blessings,
Jan

I just lost a total of 60 lbs. I didi it very slowly but steadily. My HMO offered me an opportunity to take a free nutrition class.

I cut out the caffeine, sugars, fats red meat and sodas out of my diet. Not entirely....I would treat myself periodically. But I learned that it was better to eat 4 - 6 small meals a day. Being careful about portion control. My diet consisted mostly of whole grains, veggies and fruits.....some chicken and fish. About once a month, I allowed myself to have a piece of beef. (My family were cattle ranchers for years....gotta have my beef.)

I just stuck with it....even when I hit those plateaus where you level off and can't seem to get any lower.....and I am down to 135 lbs.

My mother has been on a long course of steroids and she looks like the pillsbury dough boy. She jokes about looking like Ted Kennedy.....even her face is "fat".

I hope you find something that works for you. It can be a tough thing to do....especially with some of these meds we take....but if you are determined, YOU CAN DO IT!!

Gentle hugs....

I'm still knee deep into my research.

I agree with what Basket said Portion control. I feel like I graze all day long in the kitchen (LOL). But I eat 3 small meals and about 3 snacks (which are just a tad smaller than the meals). I use either a 4" plate or a 7" plate. Not your average dinner plates. I started out using paper plates since they are smaller.
I'm steadily loosing weight. About 5-10 lbs a month.

But where I get confused is the whole nightshade plants. You read one thing and it says to avoid them.
And if you follow some protocols, your left with bird seed and lettuce. How can that be healthy for you?

I have adapted the sonoma diet. It calls for peppers, I have learned to love them. Broccoli, Almonds....and I now crave them. I feel better in my stomach when I eat salads...but my IBS doesn't like them....but I'm not giving up my daily salad.

The Sonoma diet also has you doing balancing your plate. You divide it in quarters. Serve up veggies, fruits, carb and meat. Each meal. In the beginning, they want you to stop all sugar (including artificial)...then slowly re introduce it. This is only for 10 days.

But I agree, sugar adds to pain. An abundance of dairy adds to pain. So I stick to my 3/day. Dairy builds up malic acid....but if you want to enjoy that bowl of ice cream every once in a while...just soak in a tub with epson salts.

So, the way how I see things, if you want to loose weight - in a healthy way, you can't avoid all of the pain reducing diet products.

And for anyone who has a hard time with whole grains....I have a killer home made bread recipe that uses 100% whole wheat white flour. And Dream fields makes a great tasting lower carb alternative so you can still have your pasta.

Please send your recipe to me, Winder. I had 16 inches of my colon removed to cancer 5 yrs ago and can't do fresh fruits & veggies too much, NO nuts and whole grains...unless super ground up....don't mix well with me.

I hate it too since I was big on salads and fresh fruits. I still periodically will have them, but boy do I pay for it if I eat too much.

When the pain gets bad enough, you'll have no trouble saying good riddance to chocolate or sugar. After awhile, you'll see that they were your main tormentors. Green peppers also do it for me - bad. Or maybe you'll wise up and just fore go the extra pain. I won't fault you either way. I know how hard it is.

I found things got easier for me when I started avoiding partially hydrogenated oils about 15 years ago. In a word you may be more familiar with: Shortening. I think this manufactured fat sticks with us longer and is harder to get rid of. It's like, one molecule away from plastic.

It's in most processed food because it extends shelf life into the next millennium. Some food makers have been using alternative, healthier oils and you'll notice a shorter shelf life for those products, but it's the stuff that makes cancer - free radicals - and we can do without. Look it up. They also call it Trans Fats.

It's good you're starting to see the connection between your health and your diet. Making a commitment is a huge step to feeling better and living better.

We are stars.
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.

I have had chronic headaches and migraines since I was around 13, and until recently have had a migraine every day for nearly 2 years. I have found that making everything from scratch and reading labels is the best bet. The following is my mish-mash of information on the subject gleened form MANY different sources.

Aspartame, MSG, and L-cysteine are excitory neurotransmitters and have been linked as a trigger to:
Chronic Fatique Syndrome, Post Polio Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel, Anxiety/Phobias, MS, Alzheimers, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, and many more.

Excitory Neurotransmitters or excitotoxins, cause the brain to begin to misfire as they cause the brain to get excited and fire mega impulses both good (as in a little "high") and bad (as in the extreme pain and exhaustion that they trigger).

Common names for Free-Glutamate containing ingredients.

These have high levels of factory created free glutamates:
MSG, Monosodium Glutamate, Monopotassium Glutamate, Glutamic Acid, Gelatin, anything Hydrolyzed, and Autolyzed, Casseinates, Textured Protein, Yeast Extract, Vegetable Protein Extract, and Senomyx.

These may have factory created free glutamates:

Malted Barley, Malt Extract, Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Caramel flavoring/coloring, Carrageenan, anything Protein Isolate, Pectin, Flavors, Flavoring, Soy Sauce, Soy Extract, Corn Starch, Protein (Corn, Wheat, Rice, or Oat), anything Enzyme Modified, Modified Food Starch, Rice Syrup, Citric Acid, Milk Powder, Dry Milk Solids, Annatto, Spice, Guar Gum, Dough Conditioners, and Whey Protein.

I have also found that the only poulty that is safe to eat is air-chilled.

By avoiding these ingredients you can't help but lose weight, have less bloating, and feel better. I do also have to agree with everyone else....no caffeine and very minimal sugar. Its hard but it helps with the pain and the weight.

given to me by
mynameisD
great diet & has helpt w/pain 7 loosing weight & getting more energy!
THE DIET


IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED, IT IS THE EASIEST DIET IN THE WORLD. THE RESULTS ARE
EVIDENT IN A VERY SHORT TIME.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU MUST EAT OR AVOID AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE
RECOMMENDED

BEAR IN MIND THAT NO ONE IS EVER ABLE TO STICK TO THESE RESTRICTIONS COMPLETELY
OR FOREVER...THE DIET IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE AND THEREFORE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT
YOU WILL CHEAT FROM TIME TO TIME.

ONCE YOUR SYSTEM IS CLEANSES OF MANY OF THE TOXINS WE CARRY AROUND WITH US, YOU
WILL KNOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER EATING SOMETHING, IF IT IS GOOD FOR YOU OR BAD FOR
YOU. YOU WILL FEEL SLUGGISH OR BLOATED WHEN SOMETHING IS BAD FOR YOU. YOU WILL
ACTUALLY FEEL LIGHTER AND IN HARMONY WHEN SOMETHING IS GOOD FOR YOU.

1. USE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN IN COOKING OR AS TOPPINGS TO FOOD:

-allspice=natural anesthetic

ginger=ati-inflammatory

red pepper=analgesic, stops nerves sending pain messge to brain

garlic=reduces inflammation in tissue and cartlidge

fennel=anti-spasmodic

celery seed=weight loss, or weight maintenance

cinnamon=pain reliever, lowers blood pressure

dill=increases circulation by opening blood vessels, reduces blood pressure,
reduces inflammation in joints

basil=stimulates immune system and releases natural endorphins

bay=anti-inflammatory



2. EAT OR DRINK TEAS WITH THESE THINGS OFTEN:

licorice-natural pain reliever, great for headaches also

echinacia#####1 time a week for the first month, then at least once every 2
months lubricates joints

ginger=fresh or in canisters

valerian=anti-inflammatory (can be found in Sleey Time Tea)

Broccoli******eat a few sections once a day for the first month, after that eat
it 3 times a week, cooked, steamed, Raw.....NEVER FROZEN OR CANNED Natural pain
killer

apples=#####eat at least 2 times a week the first month, then at least once
every 3 months=anti-oxident, anti-inflammatory, and source of fiber

celery###eat 3 stalks at least once every 2 weeks=anti-inflammatory and diuretic


Papaya####disolves cellular debris between disks and ribs

chamomile=natural muscle relaxant, anti-toxin

cauliflower ###eat 2 times a week, cooked, steamed, or raw NOT FROZEN OR CANNED
Natural pain reliever

spinache###RAW ONLY...eat once a week for the first month in place of lettuce in
salads after eat at least 4 times a month=reduces inflammation in disks and rib
cage

chicken=eat as often as you like

turkey=eat as often as you like

fish=eat 2 times a week until you are pain free, then at least once a month
***best are Sole, Salmon, Tuna, Flounder, lobster....avoid crabs

pasta=eat 2 times a week=anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic.......avoid heavy
cheese fillings or heavy tomato sauces with high sugar content (make your own)

extra virgin olive oil
canola oil
safflower oil
vinegar
green olives (without pimento)
squash
cucumbers=anti-toxin

1% or 2% milk

Silk or soy based coffee creamers

Sharp cheddar cheese***really the only cheese you will tolerate after a while
and the others will make you sluggish

popcorn=NOT BUTTERED or heavily salted=eat as often as you like=natural pain
killer

black tea
green tea

french bread
whole wheat bread
rye bread



3. AVOID IF POSSIBLE

sugar=inflames joints, organs, weakens muscles that support skeleton

ketchup
mayo
vegetable oil
corn oil

any oil except Extra Virgin Oilive, Safflower, or Cannola

whole milk
coke
sprite
any diet sodas
chocolate
white bread

red mean=###maximum amount allowed is 3 ounces a week

pork=contains a lot of salt that causes inflammation in joints and supportive
tissue

cream, heavy cream, light cream, whipped cream
american cheese
lunch meats

read ingredients labels....you may be surprised that you are eating things you
are not aware of
belly fat diet is four main foods to eat everyday =combine with any meal & only eat four meals no more then 400cals ea meal
avacado
olive oil
dark chacolete
almonds