Eating well when you have multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important part of staying healthy. A nutritious, well-balanced diet may help reduce the risk of MS and could even affect how the disease progresses, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Healthy eating can also lower your risk of heart disease. This is important because heart disease is linked to more MS activity and symptoms. Eating nutritious foods may also help reduce inflammation, which plays a role in MS. And eating well can also prevent other chronic (long-term) conditions that are common in people with MS, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Multiple Sclerosis Diet: What Should You Eat?

If you have MS and you want to eat better to reduce your MS symptoms, you might wonder where to start. No single “MS diet” has been scientifically proved to treat or cure MS. Doctors also haven’t agreed on a standard set of guidelines on the best diet for people with MS.

Some diets — such as plant-based, low saturated fat, paleo, keto, Swank, and Mediterranean — have been studied for possible benefits for people with MS. But the results are mixed, and most diets haven’t gone through rigorous, controlled research. Some plans may even make misleading claims or contain toxic levels of certain nutrients. Others may leave out important nutrients your body needs.

Always talk to your doctor before starting any new diet plan. Diet should never take the place of treatments that are shown to work, like MS drug therapies.

In general, doctors suggest the following:

• Cook meals at home whenever you can.
• Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables every day.
• Choose lean protein and healthy fats.
• Pick whole grains instead of refined ones if you eat grains.
• Use herbs and spices to flavor food instead of extra salt or sugar.
• Try to limit processed foods and added sugars as much as possible.

The American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society also recommend healthy diets including fresh, minimally processed, mostly plant-based foods that are lower in added sugar and salt.

“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. But some research suggests that a healthy diet may improve quality of life and reduce disability in people with MS. More research is needed to better understand how diet affects MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society highlights several foods that may help support your overall health if you have MS:

• “Good” fats — Also called polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, these are found in foods like fish, flaxseed, olive oil, avocados, and nuts such as walnuts. They can help support brain and heart health.
• Fatty fish — Certain seafood, including salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart and may help reduce inflammation.
• Vitamin D-rich foods — Some research suggests that vitamin D might help reduce MS symptoms and slow MS progression, but more studies are needed. Foods like salmon, sardines, tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms are good sources.
• Whole grains — Foods like oats, brown rice, quinoa, and other whole grains provide fiber, which helps with digestion.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables — Eat a mix of colorful produce every day. These are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help protect your cells.
• Hydration — Some people with MS may drink less fluids if they have bladder issues, but this can lead to problems like bladder infections or constipation. It’s important to drink enough fluids every day.

Tips for Keeping Healthy Food on Hand

Making fresh, healthy meals can be hard if you have fatigue or trouble moving around. But there are ways to keep healthy food on hand, even when cooking feels like too much.

Stock up on easy, healthy snacks like dried fruit, bagged salads, precut vegetables and fruit, whole-grain crackers, string cheese, nut butters, and yogurt. Try to find a few restaurants nearby that deliver healthy meals you enjoy, and keep their contact info handy. You can also save energy by ordering groceries online and having them delivered.

Keep a few frozen, healthy microwave meals in your freezer for days when cooking isn’t possible.

When you do feel like cooking, make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for later. If cooking is hard because of physical challenges, ask your doctor about seeing an occupational therapist. They can help you set up your kitchen in a way that works better for your needs.

“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?

Many MyMSTeam members say that changing their diet has helped them feel better. Still, what works for one person may not work for another. Here’s what some MyMSTeam members have shared:

• “The only diet I do is basic, good, fresh food.”
• “I just say no to pop/soda.”
• “After I started 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.”

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyMSTeam, the social network for people living with multiple sclerosis, members talk about a range of personal experiences. Members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with multiple sclerosis.

Have you tried making changes to your diet to help with your MS? What has worked for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.