If someone told you that you could cure Lyme disease just by eating certain foods, that’s not true. However, eating a healthy diet can make a big difference in how your body fights the disease. By eating the right foods, you can reduce the stress on your body, giving it more energy to focus on healing.
The Problem with the Standard American Diet (SAD)
Many people don’t realize that a lot of their body’s energy is used up just trying to fix the damage caused by the Standard American Diet (SAD). The SAD includes a lot of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats, which can make your body weaker and less able to heal itself.
Some studies might say that the SAD is good, but many of these studies are funded by big food companies that want to sell more of their products. These foods are often full of chemicals and preservatives, especially ultra-processed foods, making them hard for your body to process. Instead of giving you energy, they can actually make you feel worse.
How to Help Your Body Heal with a Healthy Diet
To help your body fight Lyme disease, try eating a mild, healthy diet that’s easy to digest. This way, your body can spend less time breaking down food and more time healing. Here’s what to eat and what to avoid:
Foods to Eat for Lyme Disease
Fresh Vegetables: Eat lots of leafy greens, broccoli, and other non-starchy veggies. They’re full of vitamins and minerals that help your immune system.
Low-Sugar Fruits: Berries and green apples are great because they have lots of antioxidants without too much sugar.
Lean Proteins: Choose organic chicken, turkey, fish, and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. These help your body repair itself.
Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, and virgin coconut oil are good fats that can reduce inflammation.
Fermented Foods: Foods like yogurt and sauerkraut have probiotics that help your digestion and boost your immune system.
Herbal Teas and Broths: Herbal teas like ginger and chamomile can calm inflammation, and bone broth is good for your gut.
Food to Avoid with Lyme Disease
Processed Foods: Stay away from foods with lots of additives and preservatives. These can make Lyme disease and inflammation worse.
Sugary Snacks and Drinks: Avoid sweets and sugary drinks. Any sugar, not a natural part of your food, can make you feel worse, feed harmful bacteria giving them a boost.
Gluten and Dairy: Some people with Lyme disease feel better when they avoid gluten and dairy because these contain fat or can cause more inflammation.
Red Meat and Pork: These can be hard to digest, so try to limit or avoid them because they rot in our rather long colon for at least three days on their way out.
Alcohol and Caffeine: These can stress your body, so it’s best to cut back on them and eliminate them if you seriously intend to kick these bugs.
Eating the right foods won’t cure Lyme disease, but it can help your body heal. By choosing a mild, healthy diet, you can reduce the stress on your body and give it more energy to fight the disease. Remember, a healthy diet is just one part of getting better, so combine it with other treatments and healthy habits for the best results.