As my twin with MG and I get older, our diets are an issue

I’ve heard that as we age, we shouldn’t focus on the loss of youth but instead on the acceptance of new chapters. Frankly, it’s hard for me to agree with that because I’m having trouble coping with aging right now.

I’ll be 50 in a few days, and it’s bumming me out — particularly because I can’t eat the way I did when I was younger. While losing weight isn’t impossible for me, it’s gotten harder as I’ve aged. And sticking to a rigid diet is difficult because I love fast food too much. But I’m trying.

My predicament makes me think of my twin, Aaron, who was an exercise fanatic in his youth — before he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) at age 24. But in his late teens and early 20s, he exercised regularly and worked as a manual laborer.

Aaron, like me, was not the healthiest eater, however. He compensated by working out like a beast, and his metabolism was high. I knew he still works out, but I didn’t know how he manages his diet with MG, as the disease must have some effect on how he eats. We chatted about this set of issues on a video call, before our shared birthday.

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One thing I know about MG is that it can cause difficulty chewing, swallowing, and breathing. Until recently, I’d never considered how much MG might affect how Aaron eats. He used to love eating pork chops, steak, and other chewy cuts of meat when we were younger, and even after he was diagnosed. But can he still eat those foods today?

“Not as much as I’d like,” he said, adding that in rare instances, our sister will help him cut his tougher food because of his muscle weakness. Tough cuts of meat are exhausting to chew and potentially dangerous, as large pieces could be a choking hazard. He avoids them.

Additionally, he stopped eating large meals in one sitting because his jaw has to work too hard. He now breaks his meals into a few smaller ones. He also tries to eat softer foods when possible, such as pasta and rice.

Roasted and moist meats that fall off the bone are safer for him than takeout food. He still loves fast food, but he can only indulge in it when he has enough energy.

As we chatted, I desperately wanted to tell a joke to lighten the mood, but I stopped myself. Instead, I asked if he’s eating more fruits and vegetables these days. He waited a beat and then said, “Sometimes?”

I told him to try drinking V8 vegetable juice or get a juicer as a way to avoid dense fruits and veggies. He loves oranges, but sometimes he can’t peel them. Biting a hard apple or pear is out of the question. I told him I still love applesauce and suggested he try it.

Beyond those difficulties, Aaron also told me that he tries not to eat food when it’s too hot. He’ll let it cool down first. Dry food, like crackers, is also a challenge, he said; he’ll break it into fine pieces that won’t cause him to cough or choke. Given the possibility that he’ll cough, however, he makes sure he has a drink nearby.

He said he’d resisted adapting his diet for a long time after his MG diagnosis, especially when he was younger, but now it’s not optional for him.

We’ve both lost our youth. Aaron, though, says he thinks about the chapters of his life that lie ahead. A few days ahead of our 50th birthday, we both promised to try to eat a healthier diet. Because of his MG, Aaron must keep his promise. I may not have a disability or chronic illness, but I don’t have an excuse not to keep my promise, either.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.