I’m making changes to my diet to help me better manage MS
Now an empty nester, I have more time to focus on nutrition
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.
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.
About the Author
Sharon Dillon
My ms specialist doctor said that there was no need to change my diet !! Surely they should be promoting this via a nutritionist . I’m in the uk .
Bon Trathen
Try roasting veggies with seasoning. Absolutely delicious, and even good cold for lunch the next day!!
And yes I’m with you on trying to find more fish recipes that I like too. 😊 Good luck on your food journey!
Amanda Sadofsky
Thank you so much for sharing your story! This is the first article I've seen, but I plan to search for more and share with my sister as she was diagnosed with MS ~15 years ago. I've always looked up to you since my rotation with you during pharmacy school!! I'm in awe of your strength and tenacity!!
Kathie
Planting a garden is amazing, especially watching
things grow. We sometimes grill veggies when cooking outside. I’ve started using zucchini in a lot of dishes. I’ve been using it and yellow squash in making paste and cutting the carbs. Enjoy!!
ELIZABETH COHEN
POSSIBLE FISH OPTION: TRY COD FILLETS WITH POUPON MUSTARD AND SOME PARMESON CHEESE ON TOP; BAKE FOR ONLY 5 TO 7 MINUTES. REALLY YUMMY. THIS WORKS FOR ANY FLAT WHITE FISH--SHOULD BE FRESH AND WILD CAUGHT, NOT FARMED.
Joe
Can’t beat anything homegrown. I made changes to my diet too after my diagnosis. I mainly avoid omega 6 oils, sugar, and sat fat. It’s actually pretty easy, but requires careful reading of ingredients. Most of the store is loaded with garbage foods unfortunately. Some of my favorite brands are Siete, Simple Mills, and Boulder Canyon potato chips. As for sweeteners, try using stevia or monk fruit. Some healthy snacks include them as well.
Ra
Invest in an Instant Pot- it´s life changing. Go-to recipes for me are Cuban black beans, Chicken Tinga and Tacu Tacu. Non-instant pot recipe go-tos are: Venison or beef bulgogi, cioppino, gazpacho, hummus, babaganoush, oatmeal for breakfast from whole groats, chickpea flour for breads (am gluten free). Please try going dairy free, at least all or nothing for a month. The oatmeal is my nutriceutical.
Michael Joseph Varino
Forgive me if this offends anyone. I'll eat what I want, when I want, and how much I want.
Sim
Thank you for sharing. Your post here seems very real and something a few of us would be able to relate to, yes it’s a bit confusing from a diet perspective as there seems to be a no clear diet protocol, however I took some of the general guidelines for a healthy diet - limit refined carbs, bad fats and refined sugars; yes foods do start looking very sad 😔 some days but try to remember we are eating to nourish our body not to entertain - as a parent I am sure you have been taking care of kids trying to provide them with the best of healthful meals- perhaps it’s time to parent yourself and choose what is best for your body. Taste is 5 mins experience but your body will thank you for nourishing it with healthful foods.
Yes veggies don’t taste too good without seasoning - I would recommend sautéing and seasoning them, start small - it’s almost like re-training your tastebuds - will take a few attempts. Try to manage stress, reconnect with yourself and your purpose, stay positive and stay active.
Cynthia MacFarlane
Just a comment about the candy .... I like all of those , too . I try to avoid them now ( as you said - too much sugar) but also because of all the artificial colours and flavours. I have a bad reaction to these chemicals .If I eat them , my MS symptoms are worse and I get depressed.I am unable to function.And I agree ... a good diet is essential. In my case , it must be without chemicals and as natural as possible.
Thanks for a great article.
Russell Stumman
diet is most important thing one can do....after 30 yrs `w/3rd worse type of m.s., more natural is better... I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian...egg whites only....sitting so much is tough.....use isometrics and creative ways to squiggle in bed while you can...raw carrot juicfe, flash pastuerized is closest and kefir every day helps....sooo much sugar in everything, watch A1C #'s....at my advanced stage, transfers are hardest, many falls, biggest fear....vaporized pot helps brain fever for quick fast slowing of action potentials firing out of the brain to every function a body does, but be careful....too much, not good unless totally bedridden.....know your maker....He is the beginning and end of all.......3 stooges help to, as does star trek TOS
Tom A
Opening up Pandora’s Box? Yes, we need to know we are doing the best we can. But we shouldn’t confuse hope with a real treatment.
Yes, I’m vegetable smoothie 2 cups daily, salmon or chicken weekly, no processed foods, no added sugar, oatmeal breakfast, many veggies from garden. But his is not my MS strategy. It works great for pre-diabetes, high BP, weight loss, and cholesterol.
The “quote from Laviai Nielsen implies that lifestyle interventions, i.e. diet and nutrition, are how they manage their MS. Yes, lifestyle interventions are essential, but they should be complementary and not an alternative to DMTs to manage active MS. …“I am haunted by too many patients who I have seen over the last 25 years who have had catastrophic relapses from delayed DMTs and are now disabled.” https://gavingiovannoni.substack.com/p/q-and-a-45-not-to-treat-ms-and-smouldering
Emily Taylor
After years of digestive problems, I went on a gluten-free diet this year. I don't know if it's had any impact on my MS, but I feel a lot better. I don't think I have Celiac disease, but I do think I have a gluten sensitivity. I had my yearly MRI's last week and my disease is stable. I haven't had an enhancing lesion since 2016. I was diagnosed with MS in 2005 when I was 26.
Laurie A Jost
I follow the Overcoming MS Diet by Jenkins. Saturated fat intake less than 15 grams/day, only fish, EVOO, Avocado and flaxseed oils. Basically a vegan diet, gluten and dairy free, with seafood. It sounds impossible, but I have been feeling great and have not had any new lesions. Also, an abundance of faith in God helps get through the scary days and depressing thoughts. Make your life simple, exercise, eat well, and put your health first! That's the best way to live for everyone.