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Diet and MS: Eating Right, Eating Healthy
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Eating a healthy diet is the foundation for living well with multiple sclerosis (MS). The temptation to expect even more from food—say, the power to control MS progression—is understandable.  For decades, researchers and individuals have been reporting tantalizing findings that certain diets and nutrients might have such power. But nothing is conclusive yet. There is no proven therapeutic diet for MS, only a healthy diet, which has its own power to ward off other illnesses and help manage some symptoms of MS.
With the goal of eating better, your first mission is to update your food savvy by addressing the following questions: What does healthy eating consist of? And how do you make it happen in your life with MS?
Nutrition Basics
The Food Guide Pyramid of the US Department of Agriculture (www.mypyramid.gov) is the place to refresh your knowledge on what constitutes a healthy diet. The components of the pyramid are grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meats and beans, and oils. Whole grains are recommended over refined, and dark green and yellow vegetables preferred over other colors. Whole fruits are encouraged over juices. The pyramid is particular about fats in meat, dairy, and oil, endorsing: 1) fish, peas, nuts, and seeds as alternatives to meat or poultry, which should be low-fat or lean; 2) low-fat or fat-free milk; 3) oils from fish and vegetables (unsaturated fats); and 4) only limited use of solid fats like butter (saturated fat) or margarine (trans fats). These guidelines have heart health in mind, as well as digestive health and weight maintenance. However, people with a chronic illness like MS should remember that adequate calories and protein in the diet are necessary for energy needs and fighting infections.
Any expert on healthy eating will agree that drinking adequate amounts of water is also key. Too little water can lead to problems such as dry mouth, swallowing difficulties, loss of appetite, and increased risk of urinary tract infections. A minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of plain water is recommended. Fruits and vegetables also hold a lot of water and contain fiber as well. If you are increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, you should also increase fluids. Caffeinated, alcoholic, and sugary beverages are to be used sparingly, and juices should be diluted to reduce your intake of sugar.
Experts say to eat 3 meals a day, but in the interest of fighting fatigue, it is wise to never go longer than 4 hours without food. Enter snacks!
Healthy snacks prepared in advance and kept at hand will help you avoid processed foods loaded with sugar, salt, and/or fat. A healthy list of snacks includes cut-up raw vegetables with a low-calorie dip; fresh or dried fruits; or high-protein foods like low-fat yogurt, cheese, and nuts. Alternately, consider eating a smaller portion of a main meal and saving the rest as a snack. For 10 basic tips for eating well, see the Table.
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Uncovering Depression Within
This article discusses causes of depression, including signs to watch out for, and gives information about seeking diagnosis and treatment.
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 From the Making Strides Inbox
This new feature invites readers to send in questions about MS. The editors of Making Strides will answer one question in each issue. In this issue, the editors address an important question about diagnostic tests for MS: Why do I need a spinal tap? What can an examination of cerebral spinal fluid tell the doctor that other tests cannot?
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