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Carbohydrates and Fibromyalgia

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Posted 7/21/2012 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
We had a new member come on and mention how tired they were and they had carbohydrates for breakfast.  I know carbs affect me but I thought it was mainly because I'm diabetic but I was wrong!  I checked it out and found out that limiting the carbs will help with fibro pain and fatigue! 

 

I lost 85 pounds about seven years ago and have kept it off by counting carbs.  I've told everyone how much better I felt but I thought it was mainly because of the weight loss.  I'm sure that had a large affect on me but not eating a lot of carbs did too.  I just didn't put two and two together.  I don't eat a lot of carbs because I want to keep the weight off and am also diabetic.  So, this might be something some of you might want to try. 

 

It isn't hard counting carbs.  The first few days, maybe, but after that you will know pretty much how much to eat of the carbs.  I'm an avid label reader, too.  Now, I know exactly what I can eat and sometimes I "fudge" too but not very often.  There are all sorts of sites on the Internet that will help  you learn how to count carbs.  I also will have most meals on a sandwich plate!  This way, the plate is full and I'm full after eating it.  The size of the plate fools you.  LOL  

 

Anyway, here is a good link about carbohydrates and how they affect fibromyalgia.

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/354226-fibromyalgia-carbohydrates/

 

Sherrine 

Posted 7/21/2012 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
I wish potatoes were a protein...they're one of my favorite foods. yeah

The refined carbs are the worst for you...the ones loaded with sugar and starch. People who eat a mostly a high carbo diet  need to make sure they aren't deficient in the B vitamins. If you are deficient that will ony add to your pain and stiffness. The B vitamins are good for memory too.

My rheumy has me taking sublingual B12. Absorption can decrease with age.

Milky Ways aren't a protein either...what's a girl to do? turn

Hugs, Robin

Posted 7/21/2012 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I do eat potatoes because they are my very favorite food.  I just don't buy those jugundous baked potatoes they sell in the store...the 2 pound ones!  LOL

 

Potatoes have a lot of wonderful benefits, too.  I just watch what I put on the potato.

 

Didn't you know that Milky Ways have no carbs...at least that's what I tell myself when having one!   devil  

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/21/2012 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yep....I pretty much gave up simple carbs when I switched over to eating all organic a year and a half ago.

I have seen a huge difference in both my muscle aches as well as energy levels.

The carbs would provide a quick jolt in energy because of the sugar...but then come crashing back down and make it even worse afterwards.

So now with complex carbohydrates (in small amounts) added in with a meal of protein...my body processes everything better and no spikes in sugar levels. As Sherrine shows...there is lots of info online about the difference between simple and complex carbs and what is considered good/bad for inflammation/muscle aches.

My digestion has also been so much better with not having any preservatives, chemicals, and artificial colors/ingredients.

And as I mentioned...my energy levels have increased ten-fold with eating natural/organic. I am not a vegan/vegetarian as I eat lean meat once or twice a week. Same with fish.

I cut coupons...and because pretty much every regular grocery store has their own version of organic/natural now...it costs me the same of what I used to pay for my food.

Good thread Sherrine! I strongly believe there are many things that we can do on our end to help with our illnesses and be as healthy as we can:)
Posted 7/21/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
This summer I have been keeping track of sugar and headaches. I get migraines, which seem to resist most meds. This past spring, I noted a seeming connection between the headache and eating some sugar.

Idon't tend to eat sugared products, so it was easier to make the connection. They are a treat, but if the dayafter I eat them, Iam incapacitated with a migraine....

MySO has been on a low carb diet for over a year and lost 65
pounds.
Posted 7/21/2012 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the suggestion,
Posted 7/21/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I don't eat refined carbs. I eat ezekial bread which is sprouted bread.

Eating these makes me more tired and in more pain.
Posted 7/21/2012 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
This is what I was talking about two weeks ago. The fatigue you get from the high carbs intake. I started at it because I thought that what was causing my fatigue so bad. I know after meals sometimes I would just crash. I think between my thyroid and hypoglycemic reaction is the culprit. I have made small changes in my diet already. I want it to work, so I am going slow. Lol
Posted 7/23/2012 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I really like the south beach diet (when I follow it), but it sounds like if I do that it may help my fibro, cause it limits carbs, discourages bad carbs, and sugar. I need to just get on that may and stick to it.
Posted 7/23/2012 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
The word "diet" ruins it for me.  I will not diet.  I will, though, eat the good foods and watch the others.  It's easy to count carbs...honestly.  That make you be in control of what you eat but doesn't deprive you of anything.  If you want those chips and dip, then have some but you will have less carbs to work with for the rest of the day.  You won't feel like sitting down with the entire bag of chips because you will be losing weight and not want to mess it up.

 

But the food choices are totally up to you.  This way, it becomes a way of life....not a diet.  I have been on millions of diets and spent loads of money on some diets too but as soon as I stopped the diet I piled on the weight again...and then some!  But now, this is a way of life for me.  I don't really think about it now.  I know what I like to eat and how much I can eat with out gaining weight and have kept the weight off for 7 years.  I've gone on so many trips and cruises and not gain weight either...well maybe a pound or two but it all come off withint a week after being back home!

 

You do need carbs in your diet but not all the carbs most of us eat. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/24/2012 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
Carbs...  My old suggestion for carbs, close your eyes then they don't count because you can't see them.. (Milky Ways..  lol)

However, upon reading further into it, I guess carbs are not a fibromites friend..  What to do I''m a Carbivore!  ahhhh!!!! 

I am going to work hard at it.  My husband is diabetic and needs to watch his carbs, so it shouldn't be THAT hard.. :)

Thanks for the suggestion!!!  :)

Amy

 

Posted 7/25/2012 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
I find myself recently becoming carb intolerant (wether from fobro or meds) and know that I should modify my eating and take out the refined carbs and white rice etc but it takes a lot of brain power and planning and I am usually to tired to have to plan and cook when refined carbs are soooo easy. A number of years ago I lost a lot of weight on a no carb diet but it took alot of my time preparing things. Now that I work full time am battling fibro, and other problems I don't know if I can cope with going low carb. How do you all do it?
Posted 7/25/2012 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
"Possible carbohydrate intolerance" is listed as one on the symptoms of fibro in Fibro 101 so this isn't unusual.  I know I am and it's so hard to not eat carbs.  They are "feel good" foods until the extreme fatigue hits!

Sherrine 

Posted 7/25/2012 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I use to crave carbs but no longer crave them because I pretty much stay away from them. It seems when I eat carbs my pain increases and my stomach bloats. I use to also crave fast food but because I no longer eat it I no longer crave it.

I eat brown rice pasta, wild rice, and red rice. Brown rice pasta has a lot of fiber and like I said in a post above I eat Ezekial bread. One slice a day.

When we go out to a restaurant I don't eat from the bread basket. I love greek yogurt with walnuts for a

mid-afternoon snack. Yum! My favorite mid-morning snack is homemade guacamole and a few lowfat low salt tortilla chips. It seems avacadoes give me more energy, help my somewhat upset tummy, and help my pain. They're recommended for osteo arthritis. I'll take all the help I can get.

Posted 7/25/2012 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Ozzie...just FYI but Uncle Bens now has microwave 90 second brown rice. You just open up the package...pop in the microwave...and done!

Just like choosing any type of bread using 100% whole wheat....Any type of "whole grain"

Fruits packed with complex carbohydrates include apricots, oranges, plums, pears, grapefruits and prunes

Beans are a type of legume that is a complex carbohydrate. Specific examples include lentils, kidney beans, black beans, peas, garbanzo beans, soy beans and pinto beans.

There are a lot of easy ways to stay away from simple carbs and add in complex ones.

So...it's really about just choosing these things when shopping and having them around the house to make meals...then it really isn't much use of brain power..LOL..as the choices are all good.
Posted 7/25/2012 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
lol Amy.

I've been a carbivore the past 14 or so months - lots and lots of emotional eating in search of comfort, and all my binge/comfort foods are loaded with sugar. I've put on 25kg doing it and am still gaining weight and no matter how many good intentions I have at times I can't seem to stop (yet). I used to eat so healthy! Sigh. I know gaining all this weight is making the pain and fatigue worse but, as much as I don't want to face it, all the refined sugar and flour I'm eating is too.

Meg
Posted 7/26/2012 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the ideas Snowbunny, will try and start after my next shop it will be interesting to keep tabs on my symptoms. Thanks for starting the thread Sherrine
Posted 7/26/2012 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MegNZ,

Sorry to hear about your issues. Did you know carbs and sugar are highly addictive?

Would you be able to throw out all of your unhealthy foods and replace them with healthy ones?

I use to crave carbs and sugar and high fat foods. But when you don't eat them at all for a while, a long while, the cravings go away and you crave the healthy ones.

Good luck to you.
Posted 7/26/2012 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I agree about craving healthy foods when you stay away from the carbs and sugars. When I eat sugar, it is natural, fruit and vegies. I think it makes a big difference. We do eat a lot of avocados too. With tomatoes. And a little catalina dressing. Soooo gooood....

It is hard to get started, but stick with it and your body starts recognizing the good foods. I wish you all the best...

Hugs, Karen

Yay for Avocados!!!
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