Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Cathy
People have used food as a way to manage MS since the 1950s. Here you will find which foods to eat and avoid for multiple sclerosis (MS).
A team of scientists from the United States and Germany has discovered that excess salt from processed foods and fast food restaurants is to blame for the alarming rates of these diseases.
If you were eating “healthy” following the USDA food pyramid, you would consume 6-11 servings of bread, pasta, cereal, and rice daily.
Bread is the number one source of refined salt. The bread alone from a 6-inch Subway Roasted Garlic sandwich has 1,260 mg sodium which equals 14 pieces of bacon!
It’s not just the salt it’s also all the artificial ingredients in processed foods. Take a look at the ingredients on a food label, a lot of those ingredients are hard to pronounce and who knows what they even are?
You don’t want to continue putting garbage into your body, don’t let MS continue to ravage your body.
BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS
To help put your MS or any other autoimmune disease into remission, it’s extremely important to avoid processed foods that can keep your body from healing.
Processed foods over time begin to break down your intestines allowing food and toxins to pass into your bloodstream, this is what is called a leaky gut.
As the food and toxins begin to pass into your bloodstream, your body sees these as foreign invaders and begins to attack. Your body is now attacking itself, known as an autoimmune disease.
It’s essential that you stop eating foods that are harming you and start the healing process as soon as possible. The longer you continue to eat these foods the more damage is done to your body.
Everybody’s MS is different, what might be causing a problem for me may not be causing a problem for you. For example, I’m extremely sensitive to eggs but you may be very sensitive to dairy.
Some people have a problem going “cold turkey” due to detox so go slowly if you need to, this isn’t a race.
This is not a guarantee that it will put your MS into remission. But, if you never try you will never find out if it does work. You will have nothing to lose by trying, except possibly more energy, less fatigue, and less brain fog. Your body will love you for it!
Most important you need to stop going to fast food restaurants, plan your meals and start cooking at home.
Food and Drinks to Avoid
Alcohol
- Alcohol and mixers
- Beer
- Rum
- Tequila
- Vodka
- Whiskey
- Wine Coolers
Artificial Colors
Artificial Sweeteners (Stevia is natural so it’s OK in smaller amounts)
Condiments
Most store-bought condiments have ingredients you should avoid. Always read the labels before purchasing any condiments. Instead, substitute it with something else or make your own. For example, instead of soy sauce use coconut aminos, and instead of buying ketchup make your own.
Homemade ketchup recipe:
- 3/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/3 cup apple juice, I juice my own apples using this Omega juicer
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/8 teaspoon red chili peppers, optional
Blend or whisk the ingredients together until smooth.
Dairy
- Milk (including flavored milk)
- Butter, margarine & margarine types
- Buttermilk
- Creams
- Coffee creamers
- Cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Ice cream
- Half-and-half
- Ice milk
- Powered Milk
- Sherbet
- Whipped cream
- Yogurt and frozen yogurt
- Dehydrated Fruit, is very high in sugar
Energy Drinks
- 5-Hour Energy
- Amp
- Full Throttle
- Monster
- NOS
- Red Bull
- Rockstar
- XS Energy Drink
Fruit Juices
Gluten
This includes bread, cereals, pasta, and some alcohols like beer (wheat, rye, barley).
Grains
Including buckwheat, rice, oats, corn, and quinoa.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Junk Food
Including candy, chips, and fast food restaurants.
Legumes
Which includes beans, peanuts, lentils, and soy.
NSAIDs
Such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Processed Meats
Including deli meats, ham, hot dogs, pepperoni, etc.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils
Processed foods
Soft Drinks
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are not in the nightshade family so they are okay to eat.
Preservatives
Vegetable Oils
Such as canola oil, corn oil, peanut oil, and soybean oil.
Eat high-sugar fruits in moderation
Berries are the best plus they are high in antioxidants. Having MS you should eat wild blueberries daily, they have two times the antioxidants. They not only taste better, but they are also good for your brain.
Starchy Vegetables
Starchy vegetables are higher in carbohydrates so you should limit them. Examples include:
- Acorn squash
- Beets
- Butternut squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Yam
- Yucca
Most boxed and canned items are processed, if you can’t pronounce them you probably shouldn’t be eating it. It’s also a good idea to avoid the middle isles of the grocery stores, that’s where most processed foods are.
It’s tough when you start out, but as time goes by, it becomes easier and easier.
WHICH FOODS CAN YOU EAT?
- Vegetables and fruit
- Pasture-Raised Poultry*
- Grass-Fed Meats including nitrate-free bacon
- Wild-Caught Fish
It’s best to avoid eggs. Dr. Terry Wahls, the author of The Wahls Protocol, found people with MS tend to have more problems with eggs.
Eat organic as much as possible, for tips on saving money on organic check out How to Save on Organic Produce.
Foods to Eat and Avoid for Multiple Sclerosis
Changing from the standard American diet to a clean, whole foods diet can feel overwhelming. Start by eating an anti-inflammatory diet that promotes overall health. Then adjust the diet to fit your needs.
Besides diet, you need to promote overall wellness by listening to your body. The human body is amazing at healing itself and it will send you signals when something isn’t right. You need to become a detective and figure out what works best for you.
“Gluten-Free,” “Natural,” or “Organic” on the food packages does not mean the food is healthy. Always read the ingredient label so you know what you’re getting.
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet full of vegetables, fiber, phytonutrients, and healthy fats
- Remove foods that cause inflammation (processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugar)
- Identify food sensitivities/intolerances and remove them from your diet
- Provide nutritional support for the body’s detoxification systems
Also, start exercising! Even if you are in a wheelchair it is important to exercise. I use an MS online gym called OptimalBody Personal Fitness that I really like. The owner also has MS so he knows which exercises work.
The exercises use tension bands like these: Resistance Bands Set.
It’s important to stay positive! Don’t let others tell you that it’s too hard or you can’t do this. Stay strong, and believe in yourself. You have the power to heal yourself!
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Foods to Avoid for Multiple Sclerosis
