When it comes to living symptom free with MS, your diet is one of the most important factors. We’ve talked a lot about the power foods you should be incorporating into your diet, but avoiding bad foods is just as important.
Read on to learn the 3 non MS-friendly foods you should avoid to live symptom free with your MS.
Saturated Fats
Saturated fats are a bad choice for anyone, but especially for those suffering from MS. Saturated fats increase LDL, or bad cholesterol, which can lead to heart issues. Saturated fats are found in many meats and full-fat dairy.
Need another reason to pass on the milk? Proteins in cow’s milk could be detrimental to those with MS. The original authors of the study said the benefits of milk outweigh the risks, but if you aren’t finding relief, you may consider passing on the dairy products. If you decide to keep them in your diet, be sure to choose low-fat options to decrease your saturated fat intake.
Trans Fats
There has been a lot of talk about trans fats the past decade or so, and for good reason. Trans fats increase inflammation in your blood vessels. Because much of the pain associated with MS comes from inflammation, you should definitely avoid trans fats wherever possible.
Trans fats are found in margarine, some vegetable oils, and fast food. Nutrition labels will tell you how much trans fat is found in something. When cooking, replace trans fats with healthier fats such as coconut oil or olive oil.
Salt
Decreasing your salt intake is one of the most important things you can do to improve your MS symptoms. According to a 2014 study, sodium intake is associated with increased disease activity in patients with MS. Sodium is found in just about everything you eat. Even “healthy” packaged foods may have higher levels of sodium than you would like.
Always look for low-sodium or no-sodium added options when you are grocery shopping. When you cook at home, experiment with other herbs and spices to flavor your foods. Get double the benefits by using the spices mentioned in this post about natural anti-inflammatory foods.
Changing your diet can be a difficult process, but as you cut out foods that make your MS worse, you will feel better. Replace them with good foods that fight MS symptoms, and you will be well on your way to living symptom free with MS.