Adopting a healthy diet with multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important part of an overall MS wellness plan. A nutritious, well-balanced diet has the potential to reduce some MS symptoms and improve quality of life, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Researchers are discovering that a healthy diet can impact energy level, bladder and bowel function, and overall well-being in people with MS. Studies are looking into whether healthy foods may be able to change the course of the disease by limiting inflammation that can damage nerves and promoting nervous system repair. Eating nutritious foods can also help prevent other chronic conditions that are common in people with MS, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Multiple Sclerosis Diet: What Should You Eat?

People with MS seeking to change their dietary habits to reduce MS symptoms are often at a loss for what to eat. No single “MS diet” has been scientifically proven to treat or cure MS, nor has the medical community issued standard-of-care dietary guidelines for people with MS.

Current studies on diets thought to have MS benefits — such as plant-based, low saturated fat, paleo, keto, Swank, and Mediterranean regimens — report mixed results. Most diets have not been subjected to rigorous, controlled studies. Some may even make misleading claims or contain toxic levels of certain nutrients or dangerously low levels of others. Always talk to your doctor before trying a new diet plan. No diet should ever replace clinically proven MS drug therapies.

In the absence of clinical evidence supporting safe and effective MS diets, physicians who specialize in MS recommend following the same low-fat, high-fiber diets the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society suggest for the general population. Those diets include fresh, minimally processed, mostly plant-based foods that are low in saturated fats and high in vitamin D and in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

“Eating all the greens helps. After I make juice, I get more energy.”

— A MyMSTeam member

Best Foods for Multiple Sclerosis

There is no single food or diet that can cure or slow MS. However, research studies have identified the possibility of some benefits — better quality of life, lower rates of disability — when people with MS adopt a healthy diet. More research is needed to deepen the scientific understanding of diet’s role in MS.

A comprehensive guide from the National Society for Multiple Sclerosis details some of the best foods for people with MS. These include:

• “Good” fats — Also known as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, the fats found in fish, flaxseed, olive oil, avocados, and certain nuts such as walnuts can help lower cholesterol.
• Fatty fish — Certain seafood, including salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines, are very high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
• Vitamin D-rich foods — There is some evidence that vitamin D may reduce MS symptoms and slow MS progression. More research is needed to understand the role of vitamin D in MS. The nutrient can be found in salmon, sardines, tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms.
• Lean meats — Chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef can help limit the amount of dietary fat consumed each day.
• Plant-based proteins — Nuts and seeds, nut butters, beans, and soy products are rich sources of protein.
• Whole grains — Oats, brown rice, quinoa, and other whole grains can help increase fiber and maintain blood sugar.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables — Eating an assortment of brightly colored produce can help ease constipation, deliver nutrients, and stabilize blood sugar.
• Hydration — Some people with MS may limit their fluid intake if they have problems with bladder urgency, but this can lead to bladder infections, constipation, and other problems. Be sure to drink plenty of water.

Tips for Keeping Healthy Food on Hand

Preparing fresh, healthy meals can be time-consuming and challenging for people with fatigue and mobility issues. You can try several strategies to have healthy food on hand if the thought of cooking a large meal feels like too much.

Buy easy snacks like dried fruit, bagged salads, precut veggies and fruit, whole-grain crackers, string cheese, nut butters, and yogurt. Find a few restaurants in your area that deliver healthy meals you enjoy and keep their numbers handy. Consider ordering groceries online and having them delivered to save your energy. Keep some frozen, healthy microwave dinners in the freezer.

When you do feel like cooking, double your recipe and freeze the leftovers. If cooking feels too physically difficult, your doctor can refer you to an occupational therapist, who can help you organize your kitchen to better meet your abilities.

“This disease is so individualized. It is hard to say that what works for one person works for another.”

— A MyMSTeam member

What Foods Do MyMSTeam Members Eat?

Switching to a healthy diet has helped many MyMSTeam members improve their overall well-being. Diets that work for one person, however, may not work for another. Here’s what has worked for MyMSTeam members:

• “The only diet I do is basic, good, fresh food.”
• “I just say no to pop/soda.”
• “After starting a gluten-free diet, serious symptoms disappeared.”
• “I feel better not eating processed junk food.”
• “No more bloating on a vegan diet.”
• “I eat what’s easy to make in a microwave from a wheelchair.”
• “I should eat healthier, but some days I just don’t have the energy.”
• “Diet plans are like politics; you have to sift through a heap of crap to get to the truth.”
• “Once in a while I eat cake. We only have one life.”

You Are Not Alone: Talk to Others About MS Diets

On MyMSTeam, the social network and online support group for people living with multiple sclerosis, members talk about a range of personal experiences. Making dietary changes as part of an overall MS wellness plan is one of the most popular topics.
Have you tried any dietary changes to help your MS? What has worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a post on your Activities page.