Fibromyalgia, Hypoglycaemia and Diet
Over a year ago I was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia and forced onto a hypoglycaemic diet. Little did I know that 40% of fibromyalgia patients also have hypoglycaemia.
I attributed my lessening fibromyalgia symptoms to the addition of Mag-Citrate (Magnesium/Malic Acid) to my diet, and my ability to learn my limitations and pace myself. I had no idea my new diet was also helping my symptoms.
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia as a result of low blood sugar are weakness, dizziness, possible fainting and rapid heartbeat. The long list of fibromyalgia symptoms includes chronic pain, fatigue, irritability, headaches, depression, blurry vision, poor memory, anxiety, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and carb cravings. I have had fibromyalgia for 14 years and until now, I had no idea carb cravings are a symptom of fibromyalgia. I guess that explains a lot.
Eating heavy carbohydrates will increase insulin, decrease blood sugar and bring out hypoglycaemia and fibromyalgia symptoms. Foods to avoid are pasta, white bread, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, brown rice, corn, whole grain and whole wheat cereals, breakfast cereals, bananas, carrots, watermelon, all fruit juices, raisins, many types of beans (baked, pinto, navy, kidney, fava & black), potato chips, corn chips, cola, cookies, candy, cake, ice cream, pizza, tacos and anything with hidden sugars in them. These carbohydrates will increase insulin and lower blood sugar and make fibromyalgia symptoms worse and, coincidentally, induce IBS symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, cramping, bloating, gas).
So what can we eat? Light carbohydrates, healthy proteins and healthy fats. These light carbs include cherries, blueberries, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini and mushrooms. Apples, onions and oranges can be added as long as portion sizes are kept small.
The best sources of protein are those with very little saturated fat such as chicken breast, turkey breast, egg whites, fish; hot dogs, sausages and burgers made from soy. Healthy fats come from nuts such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts. These are good snacks that will also fill you up so you don’t eat large portions at mealtimes.
It is best to eat 4-5 smaller meals per day. Eating too much food in one sitting can increase insulin, decrease blood sugar, and induce fatigue.
Foods to avoid for IBS are alcohol, caffeine, milk products, foods high in sugar and fatty acids, and gas-producing foods such as beans, broccoli and cabbage. Beans were already eliminated above, now eliminate the broccoli and cabbage that are considered light carbohydrates. Eating small meals 4-5 days is consistent with IBS as well as fibromyalgia and hypoglycaemia. Drink plenty of water, exercise and eat light meals slowly.
Whether you have fibromyalgia, IBS, hypoglycaemia or not, water, exercise and eating small meals is a healthy lifestyle choice all human beings should take.
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swatilohani | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
excellent share
Radamel | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
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Anita Treso | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Very interesting article. Another reason why our diets are such an important factor for our health and wellbeing.
drelayaraja | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Wonderful share on important issues. Thank u
Nina Mason | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Some of what you can’t eat is the same for me but most is what I am supposed to eat, namely beans, lentils, bananas…
Very informative write Pat, very good.
johnnydod | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Fibromyalgia-Hypoglycaemia.That’s easy for you to say.
joking aside this is a very interesting and informative article thanks.
Christine Ramsay | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I am glad to that you have managed to improve your condition through careful eating. A very useful and well written article.
Christine
Lady Fantasy | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Has fibromylagia and has fort many years and its no fun.It dont stop me but it does slow me down some.May have to this if its gonna help me feel better.A informative article to read and use.
mo hoyal | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
A very informative article. I too suffer from both but would never be able to keep to all of this diet so guess I have to pay the price!
QuinMonty86 | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I am a firm believer that how we eat affects how we feel, especially those of us with fibromyalgia. I went to a vegetarian diet because of the IBS in December of 09, and since then have had no episodes at all!! I have noticed recently that I feel better, too. My pain is less, for the most part, although, I still have the occassional flair up due to weather or stress, but overall, I feel better. I’m taking less pain meds and that in itself is a good thing!!
Great write. Everything we can share that has helped us has a potential to help someone else.
Sourav | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
A very informative article!
Trakiya | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Excellent article.Thanks for sharing.
giftarist | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Very informative article.
Darlene | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
A very interesting article Pat. Thanks for sharing.
velvetrose | Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
I had no idea about the carb cravings either. I love carbs. I am struggling with symptoms simular to MS but cannot be diagnosed at this time. There are so many diseases that can overlap other disease symptoms, which makes diagnosis so hard. I’ve actually had the tenderness in my elbows and sides but have gotten to the point where I’m embarrassed to mention anymore symtpoms to my doc. Great article. Very informative.
Ruby Hawk | Mar 13, 2010 | Reply
Excellent information for sufferers of this disease. Your diet is very similar to mine designed for a kidney problem. I miss my beans, potatoes and tomatoes most of all but I obstain.
Jenny Heart | Mar 13, 2010 | Reply
I want to share this article on facebook. Do you mind? I have Fibromyalgia and this answers a lot of my questions. Nust have been meant to read this. God bless!
XXElleXX | Mar 14, 2010 | Reply
Water aerobics and other low-impact aerobic exercise is excellent for this disorder Mary…advice about this condition is always welcome from those who suffer from same
Dr Shalini Kapoor Kad | Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
An absolutely enlightening piece
Joe Poniatowski | Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
Man, the list of foods *not* to eat would suck for me, since it pretty much defines my current diet. I suppose one adjusts when one’s health depends on it.
Alive11 | Mar 20, 2010 | Reply
Very Impressive write
Rose | Mar 20, 2010 | Reply
Great article. I’ve had fibromyalgia for years. People might be interested to know that gluten can play a huge part in chronic fatigue symptoms. It was the first thing I eliminated from my diet and I felt amazingly better after 2 days gluten free. From then on I eliminated caffeine and a whole heap of other foods following the advice I read on another website which I will include here. This diet plus being gluten free and basically eliminated all fibromyalgia symptoms in me.
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=8287
qasimdharamsy | Mar 29, 2010 | Reply
Great Info….well written….
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Diamond Channing | Apr 23, 2010 | Reply
Very informative article. well thought out and well written. Impressive. I can see you know what you write about and perhaps do very good research. A+++!!
ladym33 | Apr 30, 2010 | Reply
Thank you for sharing your personal experience and the excellent diet information. I hope others will learn from what you have written and will help themselves.
Ruth Cunningham | May 3, 2010 | Reply
Hi Pat,
A very informative article. We are all striving with our own challenges, so often unseen by others. Thanks for sharing – it’s how we learn compassion!
Tulan | May 10, 2010 | Reply
thank you for the excellent information.
RS Lannan | May 19, 2010 | Reply
Yeah, the food we eat has such an effect!
3cardmonte | Dec 2, 2010 | Reply
A really interesting article. I must show it to my ~Mother because she suffer with fibromyaligia