I’m making changes to my diet to help me better manage MS

My youngest recently left for college. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know it was time to let her go. I am now an empty nester, though I prefer to think of myself as a successful bird launcher.

So what happens now? Many people get to know their spouse again, reconnect with friends, and find a new hobby. Yes, I need to do all of those things, but I also want to focus on improving my overall health and diet, in the hopes that it will help slow the progression of my multiple sclerosis (MS).

I’ve been reading a lot about the connection between your gut and brain and the impact of different foods on autoimmune diseases like MS. Some foods may worsen inflammation, for example, while others may help to ease disease symptoms. As MS News Today notes, there’s no evidence that any particular diet is best for people with the condition. Generally, though, well-balanced meals are recommended, including “lots of plant-derived foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and fewer foods that are processed or high in refined sugars and fats.”

I know I need to make changes to my diet.

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A focus on nutrition

Unfortunately, I am not a big vegetable eater. I like fresh, raw veggies and will eat salads. I planted a very small garden for the first time this year and grew cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, banana peppers, sweet peppers, oregano, basil, and cilantro. It is definitely true that homegrown vegetables taste so much better than grocery store produce.

However, I really dislike most cooked veggies. I’m sure one of the reasons is that I steam them and put no seasonings on them. I am planning to learn more about seasoning and cooking vegetables.

I like most fruits, but they’re never my first choice when grabbing a snack. I am trying to be more purposeful in my snack selections. I took an apple to work yesterday.

Over the last two years, I have decreased the amount of red meat I eat. I love the smash burgers my husband makes on the griddle, and I enjoy a good steak, but I only eat red meat a handful of times each month. I’m pretty good at cooking chicken, but I dislike pork. Again, this is probably an issue of me not knowing how to prepare it correctly.

I want to eat more fish, but I only know how to prepare salmon. I make a wonderfully seasoned salmon in my air fryer, but I don’t want to eat it daily. I plan to try a different type of fish — something basic and affordable like tilapia — using the same recipe, and then branch out from there.

I like candy, especially anything fruity, chewy, and sweet like Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, and gummy bears. Unfortunately, these are loaded with sugar! Candy is my weakness; I don’t eat it every day, but when I do, it’s not just one piece. I plan to pay more attention to the amount of refined sugar that’s in the foods I eat and make an effort to consume less of it.

In addition to making all of these changes, I must relearn how to prepare meals for only two people. I started with a family of four, which included my son, an offensive lineman, and my daughter, also an athlete. Now it’s just me and my husband.

As an empty nester, I should have more time to focus on myself, my health, and my MS. I want to make good food choices, which will require preparation, planning, and time — something that was in short supply when the children were living at home. My hope is that eating a more nutritious diet will have a positive effect on my MS.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.