Nutrition Therapy for Lupus: Dietary Recommendations to Thrive

Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that continues to challenge those living with it. While we know that medications are a primary form of treatment for lupus patients, there are also lifestyle changes that can be made to further manage symptoms. One of the best? Utilizing nutrition therapy for lupus.

As someone living with lupus myself, I know that this diagnosis can feel heavy. There's a lot to learn about the topic and many different options for treatment. Bearing all of this in mind, nutrition therapy for lupus offers a way to effectively manage flare-ups naturally. Wondering what the connection is between diet and flares? It all comes down to inflammation.

The Impact of Inflammation on the Body

If you're living with lupus, you likely already know that increased levels of inflammation in the body exacerbate symptoms. This is also true when it comes to many other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease. When inflammation is high in the body, you're more likely to experience common lupus symptoms such as:

• extreme, chronic fatigue

• pain or swelling in the joints, hands, feet, or around the eyes

• headaches

• constant, low-grade fevers

• sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent light

• chest pain when breathing deeply

• skin rashes and irritation

I think we can all agree there's nothing fun about feeling this way on a consistent basis. Symptoms like these make it difficult to carry out the daily demands of life and can leave us feeling deflated mentally, emotionally, and physically.

One of the ways that I encourage my clients to take control of their lupus is through nutrition therapy. While medications and medical treatments are part of the puzzle, they are certainly not the only factor. A holistic approach that incorporates lifestyle choices in conjunction with medical treatment is much more likely to help control flare-ups and improve overall quality of life.

There are other benefits to incorporating nutrition therapy as well! Choosing to adopt a dietary pattern that supports your health and reduces symptoms will feel empowering. It gives you some of the power back and allows you to make informed choices to calm inflammation naturally.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet as Nutrition Therapy for Lupus

So, what is the best dietary approach for lupus? While everyone is unique and will have individualized needs, an anti-inflammatory diet is generally considered the best option for those living with lupus.

Personally, I think this is wonderful news because this particular eating style uses a balanced approach, and no main food groups are off limits. There are a wide variety of foods to choose from, and you can find them all at your regular grocery store. This means there's a way to incorporate this diet for everyone!

Anti-Inflammatory Diet 101

As a general rule of thumb, the anti-inflammatory diet consists of whole foods with a focus on variety to get a broad range of nutrients. Here's a quick overview:

Fruits and Vegetables - When considering nutrition therapy for lupus, it's important to understand that fruits and vegetables are key! Both starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens and broccoli, are a crucial part of the anti-inflammatory eating style. Aim to incorporate many different types each day to keep inflammation at bay and ensure you're getting adequate fiber.

Healthy Proteins - A mix of animal-based proteins, such as poultry, seafood, and lean beef, is recommended in addition to plenty of plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils.

Healthy Fats - Foods such as nuts, olive oil, avocado, and fish are all excellent sources of healthy fat and a key component to the anti-inflammatory diet.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids aid in reducing inflammation, so these are an important part of this dietary approach. Foods like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and salmon are all great options.

Whole Grains - When consuming grains, it's important to choose whole-grain options such as quinoa, oats, and brown rice. Keep in mind that this will vary by person, as many people living with lupus or other autoimmune diseases also find that they do not tolerate gluten well.

See what I mean about variety? There are so many wonderful foods that can be incorporated and used as nutrition therapy for lupus! When first getting started with an anti-inflammatory diet, have fun with it! Try new fruits and vegetables, look for interesting ways to prepare your favorite proteins, and add sources of omega-3 fatty acids to your regular meals. This dietary change can be an enjoyable one, I promise!

What to Avoid

Now, you may be wondering if there is anything to be avoided. This is a great question and something that, again, will vary by person. However, there are a few general recommendations that apply to everyone.

• Limit sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar - Being mindful of reducing sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars is a great way to reduce flare-ups. Getting in the habit of checking labels is a great way to do so.

• Reduce processed foods - Our modern era is positively jam-packed with processed foods, so I know that this one can feel tough! My best advice is to take it slow and gradually work towards consuming less highly processed foods over time.

• Alcohol - In any healthy diet, alcohol must be consumed moderately at most. This equates to one drink or less per day. Not only is this key in reducing lupus flare-ups, but also living a healthier life in general.

Personalized Nutrition Therapy for Lupus

As I mentioned throughout this post, these are generalized recommendations and a great place to start!

The most important factor in finding long-term success with nutrition therapy for lupus is to build a plan that is customized to your unique needs. By focusing on customization, we're building in sustainability for your real life, food preferences, and eating style. There are many great ways to achieve this, such as elimination diets, food journaling to identify flare triggers, and nutrition counseling.

In my practice, I offer a wide variety of services to help you find what works best for your body. Whether you'd like the support and accountability of 1:1 nutrition counseling or prefer a group learning format, I've got you covered! If you're ready to learn more about creating a custom plan for your needs, click the button below to learn more.

I also have my doors open for The Lupus Breakthrough Program, if you're ready to chat about how I can help you, schedule your Free 15-minute Discovery Call below!

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