Fibromyalgia is a complex medical condition associated with chronic muscle and tissue pain, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, and many other symptoms. Did you know that diet can have a great impact in your pain management and that there are certain foods to avoid if you have fibromyalgia?

If you have fibromyalgia, you know that its symptoms affect your daily activities and quality of life. However, just as the symptoms of fibromyalgia are unique to each person, so is the way to manage its symptoms and the pain associated with it.

It is known that the foods we eat can directly influence the way that we feel and in time affect our overall health. A study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology stated that nutrition is a promising tool for fibromyalgia patients.[1]

One factor that this study highlighted was that certain foods cause chemicals to be released that can heighten the sensitivity of pain in people who have fibromyalgia. Also, because fibromyalgia is often associated with depression, fibromyalgia sufferers usually have eating disorders which result in a nutrient deficiency in the body.

Because fibromyalgia's symptoms manifest themselves in different ways, there is not one standard diet which you should follow. However, there are certain foods to avoid if you have fibromyalgia because they can aggravate your symptoms.

Remember, though, that sensitivities to certain foods vary from person to person, therefore, it is good to try to identify the foods that you should avoid to help manage your fibromyalgia symptoms. Try keeping a food journal in which you track the foods you eat and how you feel afterwards. Over time, this journal can help you identify any consistencies that may be present between your symptoms and your meals. (Food journals are explained in more detail on the last page.)

This article explores the connection with diet and fibromyalgia. It also explores some of the foods to avoid if you suffer from fibromyalgia and what you can do to ease your symptoms.