Fibromyalgia is a serious condition that leads to excessive pain and tender points in the body. Many times, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are confused with joint inflammation or arthritis. Because of this, the problem gets hard to treat. Thus, it is imperative to see a doctor who has considerable experience in treating fibromyalgia.

Here we discuss choosing the right foods which can help in lessening the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Avoid foods that contain glutamate
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that is naturally present in the body. This ingredient is also added to certain food items to enhance their flavor.

Studies reveal that consuming glutamate can aggravate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Common food items that contain this ingredient include canned soups and vegetables, processed meats and Chinese foods.

Steer clear of processed foods
It is advisable to avoid processed foods and instead choose more of whole foods. This is because processed food items, such as white pasta, white rice, white flour, among others contain more additives. They have been stripped off naturally occurring nutrients and fiber.

It is better to focus on whole foods, such as whole wheat, berries, brown or wild rice, quinoa, among others.

Opt for a DASH diet
A DASH diet plan focuses on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, seeds, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy products. It offers real health benefits, including lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduces inflammation.

Avoid cured meats
When buying meat, try to avoid smoked or cured meats or those that have been flavored with salt or preservatives. These types of meats include hot dogs, ham, corned beef, canned meat, bacon, sausage, deli meat, and beef jerky.

It is advisable to avoid products that say “natural flavor added”. This is because this natural flavor often contains high quantities of monosodium glutamate.

Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin D
Studies have shown that foods that contain vitamin D are helpful in reducing pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. Such foods include tuna, swordfish, eggs, salmon, orange juice and milk. Some people also take vitamin D in the form of supplements or cod liver oil.

Include magnesium-rich foods
Magnesium citrate is an important ingredient that lessens the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This is because it helps to prevent the excitotoxicity caused by glutamate.

Foods that contain magnesium include nuts, seeds, dark and leafy greens, fatty fish, dark chocolate, legumes, yogurt, bananas, and avocados.

Avoid artificial sweeteners and limit sugars
It is advisable to avoid the intake of artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. Instead, use honey or normal sugar to sparingly sweeten the foods.

Increase the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in reducing inflammation in the body and boosting immunity. It can be found in foods such as walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and wild-caught seafood.

All these simple foods can help in effectively treating the pain and other agonizing symptoms of fibromyalgia.