Sticking to healthy eating habits can feel overwhelming for anyone. Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms like memory issues and fatigue can make meal planning feel like even more of a challenge.

The good news is that there are more meal-planning tools than ever to support diet improvement and healthy habit changes. Many MyMSTeam members have firsthand experience with apps and online sites for meal planning.

“I’m trying to eat a plant-based diet. Does anyone have any favorite vegetarian recipes to share?” one member asked. Another replied, “There are tons of vegetarian sites online and some awesome recipes on Pinterest. I’ve been a vegetarian for 25 years — I love it.”

Keep reading to explore popular nutrition apps and online nutrition tools that can help with meal planning, grocery shopping, and reaching your nutrition goals while supporting your MS treatment plan.

How To Choose a Nutrition App for MS

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an important part of managing MS care, alongside disease-modifying therapies and other treatments. Health apps can support lifestyle factors such as:

• Physical activity
• Sleep
• Quitting tobacco
• Nutritional eating

These apps can help you feel more in control of your health and nutrition. Features such as food tracking, goal setting, and progress monitoring can help you understand your eating habits and identify potential health risks. These insights can support lasting behavior change.

Confirm That the App Suits Your Needs

When it comes to choosing the right app for you, it’s important to:

• Check the app’s credibility and safety.
• Consult with your doctor or healthcare team.
• Discover what works best for your lifestyle and personal preferences.

“I’ve started an MS journal to keep track of what’s happening, how I’m feeling, and tricks that work for me. Some work, some don’t, yet I am beginning to feel a small measure of control.”

— A MyMSTeam member

When evaluating a nutrition app for MS, look for one grounded in credible science and developed by healthcare providers, such as registered dietitians, physicians, or other certified providers.

It’s also a good idea to find out who created or sponsors the app. Some platforms may be designed to promote supplements, meal plans, or other products.

Keep in mind that nutrition apps also have limitations. Some rely on categories of food instead of specific products. This can impact the accuracy of the nutrition data or recommendations. Nutrition apps and tracking tools may not account for individual health needs or dietary preferences or be specific to MS treatment and care.

4 Apps and Sites To Improve Your Diet

Research suggests that when people who have been diagnosed with obesity and people with a higher body mass index (BMI) lose weight, their inflammatory markers improve. This weight-loss benefit can be helpful for MS since it’s an inflammatory condition.

If weight is a concern, you can use an app like Lose It! to keep a record of your activity and nutrition. One MyMSTeam member said, “I would recommend the Lose It! app or their website for anyone interested in losing weight. This is a tool you can use whether you are able to exercise or not.”

MyFitnessPal is also a top-rated app that assists in weight loss via calorie and macronutrient tracking. You can also sync your steps, workouts, and weight for easy tracking. “If you have a smartphone, download the app MyFitnessPal,” a member said. “It tracks what you eat and helps with healthier eating.”

Noom is a subscription-based weight management digital health app that focuses on behavioral health. This can be helpful if you’re looking for a benefit to both your mental and physical well-being. “I joined Noom and have been working on healthy eating and lost a little weight — 15 pounds,” one member said.

Unhealthy eating doesn’t cause MS. But too many highly processed foods or emotional eating may increase your risk for other chronic health conditions that can make MS symptoms worse. Some associated health conditions include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.

A healthy MS diet focuses on lots of fresh, wholesome foods. Since MS is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in your body, it’s helpful to focus on anti-inflammatory foods and ingredients. It can also help to reduce inflammatory foods like highly processed options, those with added sugar, saturated fats, and red meat.

“Hi, fellow MS warriors, I’ve had MS since 2001,” one MyMSTeam member said. “To help with brain fog, I make and drink this vegetable smoothie three to four times a week using ingredients from my local grocery store, which helps reduce inflammation, supports gut health, fights fatigue, and keeps me energized. You can find this and other recipes on the YouTube channel Anti-Inflammation Kitchen.”

Mediterranean Diet Resources

The Mediterranean diet is a good option for people with MS because it focuses on anti-inflammatory foods. One example of a tool focused on healthy meals linked to this diet is Lifesum, which was created by nutritionists. It also has a handy barcode scanner which allows for easy access to nutrition information that can be applied to your account.

“I am on day five of the Mediterranean diet and feel less swollen.”

— A MyMSTeam member

Plant-Based Diet Options

A whole foods, plant-based diet is another way of eating that can promote weight loss and overall health. This approach can include a range of eating patterns, from avoiding animal foods to eating occasional meat, as long as plant-based foods are the main focus.

“Once I started eating a whole food, plant-based diet, I felt so good that I never went back,” a member said. “The biggest improvement was in my energy. The best sources for the plant-based diet I’ve found are the NutritionFacts.org website and the book ‘How Not to Diet’ by Dr. Michael Greger.”

MS fatigue can leave you feeling unmotivated to shop, cook, or prep some days. Planning your meals in advance can ensure you get the nutrients you need and prevent you from relying on fast food or take-out ordering.

Paprika is a resource that simplifies recipes and grocery lists. You can upload your favorite recipes and put them into categories, such as sorting by the time the recipe takes to cook.

Mealime also tailors meal plans according to your preferences and can generate a shopping list. The app offers a free basic subscription. If you decide to upgrade to the pro version for more recipes and nutrition information, some health insurance providers may cover it.

Some MS-specific apps can help you keep track of your MS symptoms and connect with the MS community. The nonprofit organization Overcoming MS offers a Live Well hub that’s also available as an app. There, you can discuss lifestyle and dietary changes that may help you stay healthy while navigating MS.

If you’re looking for more accountability, MS Care Connect is an app that includes a symptom tracker and research-backed surveys that can help measure your mental and physical functions. My MS Manager also has a feature that creates charts based on your daily moods or level of pain.

Speak With Your Doctor First

Nutrition apps and online resources can be helpful tools, but it’s important to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for MS. Before using a new nutrition app or making changes to your eating habits, talk to your healthcare provider. They can take your medical history into account as they offer advice.

A registered dietitian can also provide personalized guidance for MS and your needs, dietary restrictions, food allergies, preferences, and health goals. They can recommend apps or online tools that can help keep you on track as you work toward meeting those goals.

Join the Conversation

On MyMSTeam, members share their experience with multiple sclerosis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What is your go-to meal planning app or nutrition tool for MS management? Let others know in the comments below.