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The impact of diet with Myasthenia gravis
As we navigate the challenges of living with Myasthenia Gravis, we must explore how our diet might influence our symptoms and overall well-being. I’ve personally experimented with various diets, including pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan, to see how they differently affect my MG symptoms and energy. I am curious about your experiences with diets and MG.
Have you tried any specific diets or made dietary changes to try and manage your MG symptoms or energy levels? If so, what motivated you to make those changes, and what has your experience been like?
Are there particular foods you’ve found beneficial, or on the contrary, foods that seem to exacerbate symptoms?
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15 Replies
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I have totally revamped my diet to clean cooking, attempting to use only fresh products and avoid processed foods. Over the course of 8 months I’ve lost 25 lbs. I also slowly began going to gym to help strengthen my muscles. I feel great, less days of pure weakness and my balance has improved.
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I lost 70lbs in the last year and a half. Why?
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I only eat food I cook and a soft diet also. I belong to an organic farm. I can’t eat too much salad or tough greens it is hard to swallow. Don’t drink and exercise most days.
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I have SIBO and other food allergies as well so its difficult sometimes to find the right balance of nutrition without issues because I can no longer enjoy my favorite spices. I’m considered a flexitarian which consists of a mostly plant-based diet with chicken, turkey, fish for protein. I’m also gluten-free.
I can say though, that my energy changed dramatically with this food alteration and I have very minimal swallowing problem since most of my food is on the softer side.
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I have noticed more energy from certain fresh foods – fresh blueberries are the most noticeable so I have them everyday at breakfast. I only supplement with Vitamin D. I try to get all my nutrients from mainly fresh and home prepared foods but dang all that chopping and prep is tiring at supper time so I cook larger quantities to cover several meals and freeze leftover meat in portions for salads, wraps, sandwiches. I track & balance nutrient content by logging foods in an app – I use the My Fitness Pal app but would be interested in hearing what apps others use.
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Love this! Fresh blueberries are one of the best superfoods. I feel you on the chopping, I invested in a sharp knife and keep it sharpened, and if I am smart enough to remember, I put on safety gloves. Prepping in batches and freezing portions is also a go-to for me. I have tried MyFitnessPal, but I have trouble keeping up with the habit of food tracking. For the minerals and vitamins that are not in foods I typically eat, I have been lately going a couple minerals and vitamins at a time and trying to make those foods a habit of eating routinely. Then, I focus on more once I have built the habit. I’m curious to see what others are using also.
– Jodi, Team Member
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I went to a mostly organic plant based diet for ease and convenience as well as health issues. I only chew animal protein a few times a week as it’s just too hard. So I added collagen and protein powder shakes 3 times a day fortified to get my calcium daily requirement and extra animal protein. I’ve lost 20 lbs in a year, which put me back in my healthy range and fixed my cholesterol issues. I also gave up most processed food but allow some cheat foods lol. I feel better overall too
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It’s impressive that you’ve lost 20 pounds and improved your cholesterol. Finding a balance with a mostly organic, plant-based diet must feel rewarding. It’s great to hear you’re feeling better overall. What has been your favorite part of this food journey of yours?
-Jodi, Patient Advocate
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I dramatically gained weight during my first year with MG and the high dose of cortisol (100mg daily over months) lead to increased appetite and terrible cushing syndrome. Tried to start all kinds of diet efforts without any successs at all.
I had to learn patience. Reduction of cortisol doses took months and even when I finally got down to 5mg, my body would still not react to any diet changes. After all November last year I found some balance and started a diet substituting 2 daily meals by specific shakes or bars. Lost 25kilos since then which enabled me to physically work on my muscle deficiencies.
Despite this success I am well aware that I need to find a more balanced diet. Substituting meals by fabricated products might have been a good way to get started on the long run, however, I still need to learn which kind of food helps to cope with MG. Thankful for any advice. 😉
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The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America held an excellent webinar on diet and fuelling led by a dietician on May 19 – the replay can be viewed at https://myasthenia.org/mgfa-events-webinars/webinars/wellness-series/
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Very interesting and helpful. Thank you very much!
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Since I was diagnosed in summer of 2024, I have changed my diet from eating out to eating at home, preparing my own meals. I do go out every so often and have a Wendy’s or Filet-O-Fish, but they are far and few between.
I have lost over 30 lbs. in the last 8 months, from eating a healthier diet of more fruits, vegetables and fish. I have grown to love Celery and Natural Peanut Butter, Strawberries, Blueberries, Apricots and many other fresh foods.
I do indulge in a nice Sirloin or Filet when the spirit moves me, as I just can’t seem to give up that great taste of red meat.
As for supplements that I am currently taking, they are B-12, D3 and Fish Oil. I was taking Collagen, but my Neurologist wanted to me to stop taking it, as she wasn’t sure if it was causing any issues with my MG.
Since changing my diet, I feel much better / lighter and needed to purchase new pants, as I have dropped two pant sizes.
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It’s fantastic to hear about the positive changes you’ve made since your diagnosis! Transitioning to a healthier diet is not easy. Losing over 30 lbs and dropping two pant sizes is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations! As for your supplements, it’s always wise to consult with your healthcare provider regarding what works best for you. -Jodi, Patient Advocate
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I just started the Newlife Promise eating program. It is Christian based and God centered. There is a prayer to say every morning. I do not consider this a diet. I am not so much interested in weight loss but ridding my body of inflammation. There are grocery lists for the week, meal plans for each day and recipes. Each meal is perfectly balanced with carbs, fats, and protein. For an extra charge of $12 a month, I will continue getting meal plans, can view videos, and there is a Facebook page exclusively for those in the program. Today is the fifth day of the first week and I am already feeling better. More items will be added after the first four weeks. It is a commitment, but I am loving it.
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Thank you very much for the functional fueling seminar! I would have liked hearing about collagen supplementation to support bone density. Excellent seminar!
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