A strong lupus diet meal plan is the ideal diet management plan for patients suffering from this chronic autoimmune disease. Lupus is a condition that causes inflammation, and a worsening condition of lupus could attack several body organs and tissues. Its most vital targets are the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, and thyroid and adrenal glands.
Patients with lupus take the condition mainly from genetics. Did you know? More women suffer from this condition than men do at big 90 percent, and in the average age range of 15 – 45. If you are an Asian, Native American, or African-American, you are more likely to develop this condition than Caucasians do. If a patient did not acquire it genetically, it means he/she may have some nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, unhealthy eating choices, toxins exposure, or leaky gut. Taking this lupus diet meal plan will advise you to cut down on sugar, red meats, saturated and trans fats, and as much as possible, take zero alcohol drinks. A well-balanced diet like this lupus diet meal plan will not only improve your hair, skin, nails, and overall health, it will also reduce your risk of acquiring diseases in the heart or certain cancers. Taking these foods also lowers blood pressure and heightens energy levels. Read more about this healthy diet below.
Lupus Diet Meal Plan for Beginners
Patients with lupus will need to go through several lifestyle changes like food intake switches, regular exercise, as well as take several medications to control the condition’s symptoms regularly. These medications range from pain relievers, thyroid supplements, corticosteroid drugs, to hormone replacement drugs.
Lupus symptoms are as follows:
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Pain in the joints
- Sleep deprivation
- Skin rash
- Fatigue/ weakness
- Stress
- Memory problems
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Digestion problems
Foods to Consume in the Lupus Diet
Raw or cooked veggies
Eating raw vegetables gives your body copious amounts of potassium, vitamin C, selenium, magnesium, among plenty of other nutritional advantages. In addition, these veggies carry stronger alkaline levels, and plenty of alkaline keeps inflammation at bay.
Alkaline also performs several functions such as prebiotics, vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Best choice raw/cooked veggies include beets, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, and mushrooms.
Fresh fruits
Fruits contain plenty of essential vitamins from A to E, whether it’s oranges, apples, bananas to cherries (high in antioxidants), fruits must always be part of your lupus diet meal plan or any meal at that. Be sure to consume the non-sweetened and sugarless variety.
Omega-3 fatty fish
Coldwater fishes such as sardines, salmon, anchovies, cod, halibut, trout, and tuna diminish levels of inflammation in the body. Eating them at least 3x a week will surely aid in a healthy eating plan to fight symptoms of lupus. Seafood such as scallops and shrimps are also good for the diet.
Calcium-rich food
The doctor can prescribe a steroid drug to help manage the condition, but this also thins out the bones which make the lupus patient more vulnerable to fractures. Eating foods rich in both calcium and vitamin D such as yogurt, cheese, spinach, kale, tofu, and low-fat milk strengthens the bones.
Vitamins and supplements
Supplements and tablets high in essential vitamins, especially vitamin D, are implemented in the lupus diet meal plan. Those with a more severe form of lupus usually suffer from a lack of vitamin D, so taking these regularly daily would help greatly. Seek a health professional first for the precise prescription and dosage.
Bone broth
Bone broth is known for its nutrients like glutathione, collagen, and other trace minerals which lower symptoms of inflammation such as joint pain and indigestion. Eating at least 16-oz broth amounts per day to replace sugary beverages or eating it as a soup will make big differences in your health path.
Probiotic Foods
Probiotics are a good kind of bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal tract and keep it protected and healthy. Foods high in probiotics include kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
Tea, Herbs, And Spices
Tea is rich in antioxidants. Also add in good spices and herbs like oregano, turmeric, thyme, basil, and ginger.
Fatty oils such as avocado, olive oil and coconut oil, seeds and nuts like almonds, chia, and walnuts, raw milk and cucumbers, melon, and berries are other important foods that combat skin dryness and irritation which are lupus symptoms.
Risky Foods for the Lupus Diet Meal Plan
The lupus diet meal plan is a meal plan which concentrates on good and healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, or calcium-rich food selections, among many health-promoting sources. Thus, it restricts salty, sugary and overly processed food items that spike inflammation. Read the list below to watch out for below.
- Refined vegetable oils (e.g. safflower, canola, corn, soybean and sunflower oil)
- Pasteurized dairy
- Sugar-filled treats
- Salty snacks
- Trans and saturated fats
- Red meats
- Alfalfa (contains amino acid L-canavanine resulting to fatigue or muscle pain)
- Garlic (contains ajoene, allicin, and thiosulfinates which flare inflammation)
- Eggs
- Poultry
- Nightshade veggies (e.g. tomatoes, hot pepper, sweet pepper, white potato, eggplant)
- Caffeine
- Alcohol (due to its interaction with lupus medication such as Naprosyn or Motrin)
Lupus Diet Meal Plan Selections
Breakfast
- Oven-baked sweet potato + green tea
- Low-fat greek yogurt w/ hemp, flax, chia seeds and honey + fresh carrot or apple juice
- Toasted multigrain bagel w/ radish and avocado spread
Lunch
- Bibimbop w/ mushrooms and sesame oil dressing
- Lunch: multigrain rice roll with ramp kimchi
- Short rib bone-in soup w/ brown rice
Snacks
- Mango slices or navel oranges
- Sliced papayas w/ lime
- Blue corn chips w/ guacamole
- Fresh mint tea + dried berries and mixed nuts
Dinner
- Cucumber salad w/ salmon and toasted whole grain rye bread
- Clam soup w/ poached cod and leeks + toasted whole wheat
- Whole lemon-herb roasted chicken w/roasted sweet potatoes + rye bread and and red cabbage slaw
Dessert
- Mixed berries (raspberry/blueberry/strawberry) + banana and flax seeds (ground)
- Fresh watermelon sorbet
- Strawberries w/fresh mint and honey
Additional Lupus Diet Meal Plan Tips
- Limit on salt and MSG or ask it to be reduced during dine-out meals
- Order more vegetables and cook them regularly
- Ask to have the sauce on the side
- If experiencing a craving pang, cook air-popped popcorn instead
Lupus usually develops from teenhood to thirty years of age and can be mild, sporadic, continual to chronic. It is important to being the lupus diet meal plan when symptoms are still mild.