MS Diet: Best and Worst Foods for MS

• Leafy greens such as spinach, kale and swiss chard
• Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and cauliflower
• Root vegetables such carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and parsnips
• Squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and zucchinis
• Green beans and peas
• Onions, garlic, chili, ginger and fresh herbs

• Orchard fruit such as apples and pears
• Stone fruits such plums, apricots, peaches and nectarines
• Citrus fruits such as oranges, clementines, grapefruit, lemons
• Berries such as blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries
• Melons such as watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe
• Tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, papaya, guava, kiwi fruit, pineapples and pomegranates
• Tomatoes, olives and peppers

Helpful hint: Coconut is not included on the Overcoming MS diet due to its high saturated fat content.

• Pasta
• Rice
• Oats
• Barley
• Cereals

Helpful hint: Some people choose to eliminate gluten from their diet. While gluten isn’t known to be problematic for people with MS, you should avoid it if you have also been diagnosed with celiac disease

• Including: black beans, broad beans, kidney beans, borlotti beans, pinto beans, soybeans, chickpeas/garbanzo beans, lentils, etc.

Helpful hint: Peanuts are defined as a ground nut and not recommended due to their higher saturated fat content, and the fact that they are usually roasted in oil.

• Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, herring
• White fish such as cod, bream, haddock, halibut, monkfish, mullet, plaice
• Shellfish such as prawns, lobster, crab, clams, crawfish, langoustine, mussels
• Squid, octopus

Helpful hint: Oily fish should be enjoyed in moderation – aim for approximately three servings a week

• Soy milk, yogurt, ice cream, etc
• Oat milk
• Hemp milk
• Almond milk

Helpful hint: Read labels carefully – store bought dairy alternatives can contain unhealthy vegetables oils

Helpful hint: Egg whites can be eaten but egg yolks should be avoided due to the saturated fat content 

• Tree nuts, including: brazil nuts, almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts, pistachios and pecans
• Seeds, including: pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds
• Nut butters such as almond, macadamia, cashew nut butter

Helpful hint: Nuts and nut butter should be consumed in moderation.

Milk, cream, butter, ice cream, cheese, yogurt, whey powder

• Commercially-baked doughnuts, cakes, cookies, pastries, pies

Chips, crackers, chocolate, snack bars, oil-popped popcorn

Margarine, mayonnaise, lard, coconut oil, palm oil, unnamed vegetable oils

All meat from land animals, including cured, processed or canned meats

• Any foods fried in oil, including: doughnuts, fries, battered or crumbed fish or chicken, corn dogs, spring rolls, dumplings

Burgers, fried chicken, fries, hot dogs and chicken wings

Egg yolks should be avoided due to the saturated fat content.