Nutrition

Nutrition plays such an important role in our lives that I thought we’d talk a little about how nutrition applies to a person with Myasthenia Gravis.

Let me start by disclaiming I am not a nutritionist. In fact, I can’t even really call myself a healthy eater. I try to be, but I find convenience attractive and I have one tooth way, way, way in the back of my mouth that craves sweets on a regular basis. For that reason, take everything I say with a grain of salt. No, too much salt is bad for you. Take everything I say with skepticism and apply your own common sense.

I like “Planned” desserts. “Planned” desserts are a bit of a joke in my family. I like to have a little something around 8:00 PM in the evening. If I leave it up to my wife, she will tell me to have a cookie or something we normally have around the house. To me, that’s not dessert. That’s a snack. A dessert is something you intentionally planned. You purchased it or baked it or made it with the intention of serving it as dessert. Hence, “Planned” dessert. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, although the Chantilly cream cupcakes sold at our local grocery store fit the bill of “Planned” dessert and are both fancy and delicious. I have deemed them to be “healthy” because they always have a berry or two setting atop the mound of delectable Chantilly cream.

So, now you know my downfall when it comes to nutrition. You’ll notice I don’t use the word “Diet”. I don’t know of a single soul that enjoys that word. You might just as well replace it with “scourging” or “self-mutilation” in my book. Deprivation is just not something a person should do to their body. On the other hand, eating healthy and improving your nutrition are both admirable and quite satisfying, if done correctly.

I’ve taken a nutrition course or two due to some of the other medical conditions I have and each course I’ve taken sounds like dieting. There’s no better way to put it. Yes, they talk about healthy foods to eat, but then they ruin it by trying to convince you to eat a truckload of vegetables a day and tell you a healthy portion of protein (meat) consists of what will fit in the palm of your hand. I, for one, don’t have very big hands. Then they tried to tell me that ground turkey can be used to make a hamburger. No, it can’t. A hamburger is ground beef. If you want to have a ground turkey burger, then be my guest, but don’t try to pawn it off as a hamburger, for heaven’s sake.

I know I’m probably offending all nutritionists and those that religiously practice healthy eating. I do apologize for that. If you can forgive me for my assault on nutrition, I can forgive you for ground turkey burgers.

Okay, I’ve had my fun smearing the good name of nutrition, so let me get down to some serious business.

I had to look it up and my old friend ChatGPT helped, but here are some things people with Myasthenia Gravis should include in their nutritional plan (“Diet”, you are dead to me!):

1. Soft and Moist Foods: Since MG can affect chewing and swallowing, soft moist foods are easier to eat. They include items such as cooked vegetables, soups and broths, smoothies and purees, mashed potatoes or other mashed vegetables, applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, soft fish and tender chicken.
2. Nutrient-Dense Foods: These include items like lean protein (chicken, fish and eggs); healthy fats like avocados, nuts and olive oil; complex carbohydrates like whole grains, oats and brown rice; and fruits and vegetables.
3. Hydration: Adequate water intake is essential to not only prevent dehydration but also to assist with swallowing and digestion.
4. Small, Frequent Meals: Eating smaller meals more frequently can reduce fatigue and aid in digestion.

What foods should we avoid?

1. Foods That Are Hard to Chew/Swallow: such as tough meats, raw vegetables, hard or crusty breads, and crackers or chips that are dry and crumbly.
2. Highly Processed Foods: foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats can contribute to inflammation and fatigue, potentially worsening MG symptoms. These include foods such as sugary snacks and soda (ok, I guess you can add “Planned” desserts here), fast foods, fried foods, and processed meats like bacon and sausage.
3. Caffeine: Excessive caffeine from coffee, tea, or energy drinks can increase nervous system activity, potentially worsening symptoms like muscle weakness and fatigue.
4. Alcohol: can interfere with medications and worsen muscle weakness, so it’s best to avoid or limit use.
5. Potassium-Rich Foods (With Caution): Some MG medications, like immunosuppressants, can alter potassium levels, so it’s important to monitor potassium intake under medical advice. Bananas, oranges, and spinach are all high in potassium.
6. Foods That Cause Acid-Reflux: MG patients are often at risk of reflux due to weakened muscles. Acidic or spicy foods, citrus fruits and tomato-based products may aggravate reflux symptoms.

So, there you have it. I make light of good nutrition, but it’s actually extremely important. My wife works with a young lady who recently started preparing and selling healthy meals two times a week for her friends. She was already cooking healthy for her family and several of her friends convinced her to start packaging meals for others. My wife and I decided to try them. They are absolutely delicious. The portions are just perfect and we’re actually eating healthy when we eat them. The best part is, since she prepares two of our dinners per week, that’s two days I don’t have to cook. The meals are only $10 each and we have the option to select or opt out of either of the meals each week, should they contain something we may not like. It’s perfect for us.

An arrangement like this may or may not be an option for you in your area, but you may want to look into it. I know there are larger services out there that will provide healthy meals or ingredients. I’ve not tried them, but I know people who have. The one thing I would caution you about these types of services is make sure you don’t get into a long term contract. You become tied to their service and if your dietary needs happen to change, you may be out a large sum of money. Just be cautious and use your head.

The long and short of it all when it comes to nutrition is you need to do what’s right for you. Remember, just because the package or recipe says it’s healthy doesn’t mean it actually is. Also, if you’re trying to shove food you don’t like down your throat to satisfy your goal of eating healthy, is it really healthy to do so? It may be healthy for your body, but is it really healthy for your mind and your general overall well-being?

I’ve always followed the premise of “Moderation in Everything”. I totally believe that. I eat when my body tells me to eat, but I try not to overindulge in big meals. Yes, I have my “Planned” desserts some nights, but I don’t do it every night. I never have more than a glass or two of wine and then, only with dinner. Even that is only once or twice a week at the most. If we dine out, I usually eat only half of my meal and take the rest home for lunch or dinner the next day. I find overeating is not only bad for my health, but it makes me feel uncomfortable. My digestive system just can’t handle all that much at one meal.

Try to add some of the foods recommended above to your meal plans and try to cut out some of the foods suggested to avoid. Do what’s right for you. No crazy diets. No depriving yourself. Just do what makes sense for you.

Healthy eating, and remember, moderation in everything!