It doesn’t happen often that some of my favorite things in my diet are also the ones that have extensive health benefits for my Multiple Sclerosis. I know a lot of people say that it can’t be healthy if it tastes good, but I must admit that many healthy foods are in fact delicious! I want to talk about three of my favorite things that help me live an MS symptom free life and also three things that I will stay away from at all costs.
My Favorite
Pineapple- I’m not sure I’ve met a person who didn’t like the amazingly sweet taste of pineapple. Nonetheless, it’s that much more amazing due to its excellent health benefits. Pineapple has a large amount of the antioxidant vitamin C. Many people know vitamin C for helping boost the immune system, but along with fighting bacteria, vitamin C also helps the body recover and heal. Bromelain is a natural anti-inflammatory that assists many MS patients in their digestive health. The enzyme in bromelain breaks down amino acids in protein to make for easier digestion.
Yerba Mate- This leafy tea is great because it has the health effects of tea, but the energy boosting effects of coffee…without the jitters. I drink this about 4 times a day and because it’s loaded with vitamin B it keeps me alert all day. The numerous antioxidants in this all natural supplement keep my immune system in check.
Dark Leafy Greens- Greens like kale, broccoli rabe, and collard greens are super rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K. The health benefits for MS come in the form of these greens’ anti-inflammatory agents. They are also beneficial for digestion and eyesight. Dark greens are so healthy that even eating them once a day can put your body in a healthier place.
My Forbidden
High Fructose Corn Syrup- This stuff is one of the worst things you can put in your mouth. High Fructose Corn Syrup is made from manmade sugars that are then broken down much differently by the body than natural sugar is. This is something to avoid whether you have MS or not, it’s simply not healthy and causes weight gain, dental problems, and increases your heart attack risk.
Aspartame- Aspartame is a terrible ingredient to include in your diet for many reasons. There is evidence in tests that this artificial sweetener has exitotoxins which can cause prolonged worsening of MS lesions. This chemical also has a long list of side effects including headaches and increased risk of some types of cancers.
Fried Foods- Fried foods are so damaging to our health, especially us with MS. These foods contain hydrogenated oils that are horrible for overall health with its abundance of fat content. Fried foods also have acrylamide, a neurotoxin that can harm the central nervous system. If one has MS, the central nervous system is already damaged, so fried foods should be avoided at all costs.
In the chapter entitled Diet and You in my book MS – Living Symptom Free I talk about these items and more as I live everyday to fight MS and live MS symptom free. Be sure to check out my Facebook Page for daily updates and to participate in a great MS community!