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Question & Answer

We are discussing Nutrition for a happy, healthy life
With Jacinta Dugbaza, Sarah Flanagan and Vinni Dang

Question:
Advise please on diet for fibromialgia and osteoarthritis

Answer:
Jacinta -Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are two different medical conditions although both are musculoskeletal illnesses that have associated severe chronic pain and limit a person’s functioning ability.

Unlike other medical conditions e.g diabetes that has nutritional therapy as part of the treatment, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis do not have specific diet therapies. However, a healthy diet is very important in managing the chronic pain and also helping prescribed medications to work.

"The Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians" are still an important tool to use for healthy eating with these conditions. The emphasis should be on regular nourishing food intake and the use of fruits, vegetables and legumes (vegetable sources of protein). Using the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis provides the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed by the body. Some studies have shown that a change to a diet that has increased amounts of plant foods has benefited some people with these conditions.

Chronic pain reduces appetite, affects your ability to prepare meals and limits the range of foods selected. This causes reduced use of foods that provide the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by the body. Small frequent meals are important especially when you cannot eat much at any one meal. Use foods low in fat and added sugar and include fruits and vegetables to ensure that you provide the body with the essential nutrients without excess energy to affect your body weight.

Meals could be modified in texture (liquid or soft and moist) to suit how you are feeling. For example, breakfast could be a nourishing drink of a cup of hot Milo made on skim milk or a glass of fruit smoothie (a blend of fruit (fresh or canned), low fat yoghurt and milk) rather than a cup of tea or coffee or having nothing to eat. Lunch could be thick soup that includes vegetables and some meat when you want something easy to eat. Instead of starting from scratch, canned or packet soup can be used as the base with preferred vegetables (fresh or frozen), beans or some meat added.

Generally, it is not recommended to avoid particular foods unless you have a diagnosed allergy or it has been recommended by your doctor. In such situations you will be referred to a dietitian who will help you with the change to ensure that your meals are not deficient in essential nutrients.

Because of the variety of symptoms that people experience and the different medications used, the best approach to obtaining individual dietary recommendation is to consult an Accredited Practising Dietitian in your local area. A referral letter from your doctor would help to provide the dietitian with your medical details for the consultation.

For more information please see The Dietary Guidelines for Older Australians on the Nutrition Australia website.

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