I was watching a Fox News station the other day and they had a nice 3 – 4 minute segment on fibromyalgia. That was a nice thing to see.
It was quite good, and the nutritionist on the show was talking about different foods that can aggravate fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as providing some substitutes or alternatives to try instead. Here are some of the notes I scratched down:
One of the things she stated was that there was a trend in people using gluten-free foods as an alternative because foods with gluten can tend to aggravate or flair up some of the symptoms. I had not really heard this before. I might give it a try, but I want to research this a bit more before I spend the money on them.
Here are some of the reactive foods: soy, wheat, caffeine, corn, dairy. She even mentions apples and blueberries.
I can understand some of that. But, soy products are also a trend that I have seen to help fibromyalgia, not cause an aggravation. So, I’m not so sure about that.
Here are some of the substitutes: almond milk, rice milk, millet, quinoa, amaranth.
The nutritionist went on to mention that a deficiency in Vitamin D was also something that can cause fibromylagia symptoms to flare up.
My Response
First of all, when I watch something like this, it is good to see it being covered. But, I’m also like “What doesn’t cause symptoms to flare up?” AND, who can truly afford to be buying all those substitutes?
The substitutes that are generally recommended are either typically only available at a specialty food store for about 50% more, or they are in my local store, but I cannot afford to constantly be using them.
Some things like almond milk… no problem. It’s not that bad. But, it gets down to something different, and this is what I’m driving at, and what I would really like your response from:
Fifty to seventy-five years ago, were there this many women (and men) suffering with fibromyalgia?
I don’t think there was, and I don’t think it is because it just wasn’t being diagnosed.
Were things like rice milk and quinoa being served on the dinner tables of America?
I don’t think so.
Nutrition IS important, but it isn’t as if corn and dairy are the enemy. Something bigger is the issue here.
Women from 50 years ago ate corn, dairy and apples.
Bottom Line
Be smart and use your common sense. If you find a food makes you feel worse, stop eating it, or at least eating as much of it. Don’t jump on every band wagon that says you need to eat this and not that. Part of it is them wanting to make a buck off you. Part of it is they saw it work for one person so it must work for everyone.
Be smart.
Keep asking questions.
In my opinion, there is still something missing, and I feel I have an idea what that is, but it’s gonna take me some time to put that together.
Let me know your thoughts!
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