According to the Scleroderma Foundation, what we eat ends up affecting our body and our health in many ways. Fruits and vegetables are beneficial foods since they provide our bodies with energy and essential nutrients.

On the other hand, processed junk foods are devoid of nutrients and when consumed in large quantities can potentially be harmful to our bodies regardless of our age or current health. We’ve listed some general recommendations on how to organize your meals and what to eat to improve your health.

1. Eat less, more frequently

Aim to eat small meals every three to four hours. However, if you are carrying an excessive amount of weight or can only eat small amounts at a time, try to eat even smaller meals every two hours to maximize nutrient intake.

2. Eat fresh and natural foods

Choose whole, fresh, unprocessed foods without any preservatives, artificial ingredients or hydrogenated oils.

Choose products with a short ingredient list. If you spot any “chemical” sounding names in the ingredient list, try to avoid it.

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3. Add herbs and spices

Add anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich spices and herbs, like rosemary, basil, oregano, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, paprika, turmeric and curry powder to foods.

4. Cut down on added sugars

Unless it causes you some GI distress, the natural sugars found in milk, yogurt and fruit are not a concern.

However, keep an eye on ingredient lists for stealthy terms indicating added sugar such as sucrose, fructose, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, agave nectar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, and maple syrup.

5. Multivitamin or mineral supplement

Consider taking multivitamins or mineral supplements. If specific nutrient deficiencies have been identified, extra supplementation may be required.

6. Water, water, and more water

Don’t forget to drink fresh, filtered water — preferably water that’s never been exposed to plastic. Drink only from stainless steel or glass containers and use a water filtration system at home.

Aim to drink at least 50 percent of your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, a 150-pound person should drink at least 75 ounces of water daily.

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Scleroderma News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.