 I tend to agree with the diet which actually would be good for just about anyone to promote healthy lifestyle as well as help loose a few extra pounds. I know my body doesn't like sugar, caffiene nor alcohol. I can usually expect an adverse reaction from these 3 things so simply avoid them which I have done since a small child (with the sugar). I personally think we just need to listen to what our bodies like & don't like then plan our diets accordingly. Dear Linda, Well, the longer version of the diet is here. It explaines in more detail why it works. Also, my mom who has FMS and I are both taking these dietary supplements. I wondered why it didn't work it you just take everything seperately but it doesn't. I read an artical by some doctor, very extensive, but the general gist of it was that you need the exactly right amounts of these things working together to do what you're looking for. Well, the ones I'm taking by New Image International, they're synergistically blended, which means each thing that's in them has exactly enough to make the other ones work better. It's awesome. If you'd like to hear more about them, I'd love to share. It's turned my life around! Take care, Mandi FOODS TO AVOID, AND WHY: Tomatoes - (see White Potatoes) Green Peppers - (see White Potatoes) Eggplant - (see White Potatoes) White potatoes - All these vegetables contain solanine, which interferes with enzymes in the muscles and may cause pain. Red meats Pork Dairy products from a cow - They promote inflammatory response and increase pain. Caffeine - (see Sugar) Alcohol - (see Sugar) Sugar - in ANY form, including honey and fructose. They promote fatigue, increase pain and disturb sleep, which for us is bad enough as it is. If you have been regularly using these things, you may actually feel worse for a short time after omitting them because of the "withdrawal effects", but after that you should notice a definite improvement. Nutrasweet - (see Saccharin) Saccharin - Or products with artificial sweeteners in them. They are chemicals. Many people are sensitive to them, and some get migraines from them. Any processed foods - They are not only usually high in sugar and fat, but they contain large amounts of chemical, and you want to rid your body of as much of these as possible. It is believed that FMS is related to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and Environmental Illness, so we may actually be having reactions to all the chemicals found in our foods. Plus, processed foods have much of their nutritive value leached from them during processing, and we need proper nutrition in order to heal. White Bread - (see White Flour Pasta) White Flour Pasta- The nutrition in whole grain bread and pasta is much greater, and they use chemicals to bleach the flour used to make the white varieties. FOODS TO SUBSTITUTE: Sweet Potatoes - can be used in many of the same ways white potatoes are, including French fries! They're delicious that way. If you are eating out and can't get sweet potatoes, eat ALL of the white potato, including the skin. But try not to do this often. Red, Yellow and Orange Peppers can be used in place of green. Deer or other game meat can be used in place of red meats. They are lower in fats and, being wild, have not been fed with chemical-laden feed. Cheese made from sheep or goats can be used in place of those from a cow, and some of the soy cheeses are not too bad. Soy milk can be used to cook and bake, as well as on cereal or to drink. Even though it has a slightly "nutty" flavor, I got used to it quite quickly, and even prefer it in some instances. There is quite a variety of soy milk available: Regular, Creamy, Chocolate, Cocoa, Vanilla, and Strawberry. OTHER FOODS GOOD TO EAT: Fish Turkey - Dark meat is best Chicken - Dark meat is best Game birds Garlic Onions All vegetables - except those named above. All fruit except grapes - Be careful not to eat too many because there is fructose in them and your pain could flare up. Limit your self to 2 to 3 portions a day. Grapes have far too much fructose so avoid them as well as raisins. All WHOLE grain breads and pastas. Make sure they say "Whole wheat" etc., not just "Wheat". Some bread is made darker to look like whole wheat but it is only regular white bread, They label it "wheat" and get away with it because even white bread is in fact wheat, but most of the good nutrition you need to help your body heal is not found in it. Cheerios - High in nutrition, low in sugar and fat. Shredded Wheat - High in nutrition, low in sugar and fat. Nuts - All kinds except peanuts, or those honey roasted. Many people are allergic or sensitive to peanuts, but there is a wonderful soy-nut butter you can find in the health food section of your grocery store. Use in place of peanut butter. Butter Olive Oil I found that I really missed ice cream, so my husband would make me a fruit smoothie every night: In a blender combine 1/2 cup soy milk 3 OR 4 frozen strawberries 1/2 to 1 frozen banana - cut in 1" hunks 1/2 tsp. vanilla Enough canned pineapple chunks and juice to bring it to a consistency you like. These got me through the summer Doctor Kristopher Hartwig Westfield Family Phasicions (sp) Route 20 (main street) in Brocton NY 14716 or Westfield Ny-don't know the zip. They're also located in Stockton NY-all in the same area. It's about an hour and a half from Buffalo, if that helps, and about an hour from Erie, PA. Yes, he is a really great doctor. I hope we can help out some people. Thanks, Mandi  
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