Lady of Lyme
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Products I Love
    • Supplements & Meds
    • Makeup & Skincare
    • Food & Diet
    • Apps & Organization
    • Gift Guides
  • Resources
    • Symptoms/Resources
    • Lyme Vocabulary
    • Printables
    • Books & Reading
  • Features
  • Testing
  • Contact
  • Treatment Info
    • DesBio Treatment Facts
    • My Treatments
    • Treatment Blog

The Lyme Diet: Everything You Need To Know

12/22/2011

23 Comments

 
Disclaimer: This is info on the Lyme Diet, which is essentially an anti-inflammatory diet. But before making any dietary changes consult your Doctor, and do what works for your body. Each body is different and has different needs, so please keep this in mind as you read below.
The "lyme diet" is great for anyone who wants to take down inflammation in their body and boost their immune system! I joke with my family that by the end of this journey we will all be very healthy & they will be shriveled down to nothing! (I kid!) Basically, a huge part of fighting this disease is having a proper diet. Killing off the Lyme from the inside with antibiotics is one step, but it's important to starve the disease of foods that fuel it. You must not give the bacteria anything which would "feed" it, or give it more power or strength. It's also really important to remove foods from the diet which are inflammatory, as this can cause added trouble and pain. And with that, this brings me to the Lyme diet!

If you aren't interested in the specifics and would rather just get some recipes, these are the cookbooks I used and can recommend:
1. Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook: 30 Minute Recipes
2. Anti-Inflammatory Diet: 4 Week Meal Plans To Heal The Immune System
3. The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet For Beginners
4. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Top 100 Recipes
5. Anti-Inflammatory Diet: 100 Recipes, 5 Ingredients (Useful for those with food sensitivities or on a budget)

But for those who want details, read on...

The Lyme diet does 2 things.
1. It's an anti-inflammatory diet. Lyme has many debilitating symptoms due to its nature which causes inflammation in brain tissue and all throughout the body, which is what leads to the intense joint pain many patients suffer from. This diet avoids all foods that cause inflammation in the body.
2. It's a diet which starves the bacteria and also the formation of biofilm, which is the little layer the Lyme bacteria builds to save it from the immune system. As the biofilm is starved & the Lyme can't be fueled, you help the body get a winning advantage

What does this diet entail?

Basically everything delicious...

1. Sugar. Sugar is the biggest culprit when it comes to feeding bacteria. There have been studies which show that cancer tumors have glucose receptors on them which means every bit of sugar helps them grow. At this point in time 80% of foods in the grocery have added sugar, which is a shocking and upsetting statistic. A whole host of foods will be taken out of your diet, but its for the better. Unfortunately this means no cookies, cupcakes & other treats that you are used to in the traditional sense. However, there are some alternatives I will get to below. When I first gave up sugar it was like an addict giving up a drug. Studies have also show that sugar lights up the same pleasure centers and addiction centers in the brain as cocaine. Giving up sugar is not easy, and if you go cold turkey be prepared for some serious migraines, mood swings, and cravings. I struggled badly to cut it out, but once I did my body thanked me for it. It helped my nausea a lot and my stomach as well.
Alternatives: Stevia, Xylitol, Coconut Sugar, Agave nectar
*Stevia does NOT feed bacteria at all, and there is talk amongst Doctors that it can also kill the Lyme bacteria. This study was only done in vitro though, so the jury is out on if it will help in the body. The main take away for me however is the fact that it does not actively feed the bacteria, which is great!
*Xylitol also does NOT feed bacteria, and has been shown to break down biofilm. So if you need to sub sugar this is a great cup for cup substitute which many people love.
*Agave Nectar has a different chemical compound than sugar, and does not raise blood sugar levels the way sugar does. I found that I do fine with Agave nectar in moderation, where as sugar will make me really nauseous and flare. This is a personal choice, as is coconut sugar. But it's important to list alternatives because not everyone has the luxury or ability to cut out all sugar in every form.

2. Gluten: Gluten is a hot button topic because some people are firm believers that it's fad that is just in people's heads. This is completely untrue. For starters Gluten has been shown to cause inflammation in the human body. It is a food that has HIGH inflammatory properties. Anyone that has a condition with inflammation (RA, IBS, MS, Ulcerative Colitis etc), can benefit from cutting out Gluten for that one reason alone. Secondly, 85% of Wheat in the United States is now genetically modified. Wheat is highly irritating to sensitive bodies (and even those not sensitive), because of the fact that it is commonly full of pesticides and GMO's. Cutting out Gluten makes people feel better NOT because of the placebo effect, but because of actual reasons shown in studies. Yes, I know it's only a small amount of people who are truly Celiacs, however those who are Gluten intolerant or simply have a chronic illness with inflammation will benefit from cutting it out of their diet. At least for now! If you have a chronic infection like Lyme disease you need to avoid gluten at ALL COSTS.
Alternatives: Rice flour, Tapioca flour, Buckwheat flour, Amaranth flour, Almond flour, Coconut flour, Spelt flour, Cassava flour, etc.

3. Soy: I will make this short and sweet. Soy is also an inflammatory food and also highly genetically modified.

4. Any non organic meat, and limit red meat. Steak lovers ... It's a tough one! Chicken, turkey and fish are all good to go though! I personally can not eat any red meat, and although I do not have the standard alpha gal allergy I cant have beef, pork or lamb. I am IGE allergic to all 3 and it makes me really sick to my stomach to eat. We all need protein though, so you can either go full vegan and not eat meat at all, or you can eat the safer lean meats which do better to lower inflammation. I personally have a very low body weight & I need all the help I can get in maintaining my weight. I do great with chicken and turkey so I stick to those, but I also get a lot of protein from rice/pea as well as beans. You can play around with this to fit your needs.

5. Dairy: It's an inflammatory food as well (I know, all the tasty stuff!) However if you must do dairy (which I do in moderation to keep on weight), then try to limit it and also always go organic and grass fed. For example I use ghee instead of butter, and if I eat cheese I eat cheddar but stay away from aged cheeses and fatty cheeses. It's all about finding a personal balance. I also LOVE Daiya cheese, and eat a ton of my meals with that and sub as much as I can. I do not do any animal milk (coconut or rice milk only), and that again is a personal choice and a health conscious choice.
Alternatives: Daiya Cheese, almond and other nut cheeses, rice milk, almond milk, goat milk, coconut milk

6. Caffeine: This isn't exactly a "food" but I mention because not only can it cause a ton of unneeded inflammation, but it's something which is typically drank and so most people do not even realize that it could be a trigger. Sadly caffeine is a no-go, and if you can at least cut down intake it will help you out greatly!
Alternatives: Teeccino (brews and tastes JUST like coffee, works great for latte's), Roobois Chai tea, Chicory root "coffee," and Dandelion Root "coffee".

There are so many options for menu choices and that's where getting creative is good! This diet Is strict if you are coming into it all at once, but after an adjustment period it isn't nearly as restrictive as it seems. It really is great for anyone who wants to detox their body & take off the load of inflammatory causing agents. We often don't realize that what we put into our body makes a HUGE impact on how we feel. This is for those who are healthy too! Organic is the best & I strongly urge anyone to chose that over non organic.

Xoxo,
Christina

P.S - This post was originally written in 2011. Since then a lot has changed with my health and I have modified the above diet to fit my dietary needs. Therefore, as I mentioned in the disclaimer above (and all through the post) it is important to take this knowledge and tailor it to YOUR needs. Each of us are different, and the purpose of this post is not to shame anyone for any diet choices they make. This is simply a question I get asked rather often (what is the Lyme Diet) and so I wrote up a framework with alternatives to those who are curious. God bless!
23 Comments
Stacie
11/30/2013 02:39:10 am

Which diet did you follow? Book or from a doctor? I noticed you ate fruit I was told not to because of sugar. I was told no carbs at at all including starchy vegetables. Also noticed you ate vinegar, which I was told not to because it feeds yeast?? I was undiagnosed for 5 years antibiotic treatment for 2 symptom free for 8 months and it has returned feeling extremely frustrated and don't know where to start this time around and really don't want to go back on antibiotics because they caused a severe hormonal imbalance which took 3 months to get back to normal. Looking for any feedback I can get especially from someone who knows how I feel

Reply
Christina
11/30/2013 04:07:28 am

Hi Stacie! The diet I follow is the anti-inflammatory diet. There is a book for it online which I purchased. The fruit is okay but it needs to be limited and certain fruits are off limits. Oranges for example are way too sweet and are a huge no no. But a banana is fine. You need fruits and vegetables to get nutrition. As far as starchy vegetables go I think that depends person to person. Some people are quite sensitive to them & if so then by all means don't eat it! I don't eat them often I also limit those and opt for other veggies most of the time. And lastly with vinegar I have avoided that only because I hate the taste ha ha. But the anti inflammatory diet says its okay. Again, if it causes you issue then I would avoid it. I had Candida in the beginning but now I am candida free & since I don't do any antibiotics & I take lots of probiotics I'm okay with a bit of yeast here or there. When I started this I was VERY strict. As time went on and I felt better I added stuff in and saw how my body tolerated it. Mostly for nutritional value, I need the calories any way I can get it!
I'm so sorry I know exactly how you feel. If you would like, email me at cskova01@ladyoflyme.com I would love to talk to you more about treatments.

Christina

Reply
Janet Ulmer
12/1/2016 05:16:01 pm

Was diagnosed with lyme in September still on meds. I have cut out bananas from my diet they are high in carbs and also has 14 grams of sugar per banana. It is a gamble with fruits. Some people can tolerate them with lyme some cannnot. I think you have to know your body.

Chelsie
11/6/2018 06:02:14 pm

Hi Christina, did you take any antibiotics at all? Do you think it's possible to treat it through diet alone? Thankyou, Chelsie x

Marika
1/17/2014 07:09:50 am

Dear Christina,
It's very nice to read something about someone who had candida too. I followed that diet for over a year, because I had many intestinal problems and was desperate for some changes diet wise. It definitely helped, but last summer late stage Lyme disease was diagnosed. This means that I have been taking antibiotics daily for over 5 months now, because of it I have been experiencing additional problems again. Therefore I am looking for a new alternative diet taking the knowledge about my disease into account.
So, I was wandering are you familiar with Lyme Diet by Dr Nicola McFadzean? It seems to summarise and combine multiple diets especially for Lyme patients and which book did you use because there are many different ones.
I also have to say that I am also experiencing a lot of problems with the craving for sugar, how did/do you solve it?? Because I am really do not know what to do, because eating nothings seems to make it worse.

Gr Marika

Reply
Virginia
1/10/2015 02:23:44 pm

Christina,

I am 19 years old and have been struggling with Lyme's for about 10 years now. It has overtaken my body and exacerbated significantly once I began antibiotics. I've been on a strict regime of antibiotics for 6 months now and my body is in complete deterioration because of it. I've begun an herbal treatment and am now trying to heal my body from the rough dose of antibiotics, mostly through my diet. I've been eating all raw, organic, non GMO, and fermented foods. I've been gluten free for quite some time but just began sugar free. I've read in several places that sugar feeds the bacteria and creates a good environment for it to grow in- thus I have been avoiding it! However, I have been consuming a small amount of sugar through raw, local honey. But now my question is raised... how can the bacteria distinguish between the sugars? If we should be avoiding sugar, shouldn't it be in all forms? How does any kind of traditional sugar fuel the bacteria whereas sugar from Stevia or Agave Nectar does not fuel it?
Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!

Reply
Christina
1/10/2015 02:43:58 pm

Hi Virginia! Sugar was the hardest for me as well, it's in everything!
To explain, yes to a degree all sugar will feed bacteria to, even carbs because they turn into sugar when digested. But there is a large distinction between the kinds of sugar and their effect on the body. For starters you have your standard cane sugar which instantly spikes the blood sugar and kicks in the insulin. This can cause a crash later on and it's why diabetics have to watch their sugar intake. That process also creates whole body inflammation.
Your other sweeteners such as stevia is much different in many ways. For starters it has 1 molecule less in its makeup which helps it to not spike blood sugar. It's effect on the body is entirely different. Although it tastes sweet it is molecularly different. Diabetics can have stevia without the worry of a spike or a crash.
That's the basis between the two, the same goes for some other sweeteners. Xylitol and Stevia both have been shown to not only not feed bacteria but also have some antibacterial properties. In most cases it's safer than even fruit juices (which you have to limit the really sweet ones for it's high fructose content)
Agave or honey are better choices than cane sugar but they do still "feed" bacteria to a degree.
It also is a personal choice as far as choosing a sweetener, for me if I eat cane sugar I can feel it because I get nausea and symptom flare. But if I have something with xylitol I have no problems. Same with agave. Honey gives me problems so I avoid that too. It might be worth some trial and error to see which works best for you!

Reply
Rachel
9/26/2020 06:03:57 pm

Hi Christina! If you've been struggling with lyme for 10 years please look into lyme laser treatments! I have lyme and have been struggling with it for 6 years but have noticed a drastic improvement within only 6 WEEKS of doing the lyme diet and doing laser therapy!! its non invasive and I cannot recommend it enough. I feel better than I did even before I had lyme!

Reply
Su
12/12/2020 06:04:52 pm

Could you please provide links for more information? I've had Lyme for 13 yrs and nothing has helped.

Linda Wade
6/11/2017 07:52:32 pm

l have lyme disease too since 2015. l am now starting oxone treatment hoping it gets rid of it. l have had all the bad antibiotics a pic line a year of oral. The dr has sucked my ins. for all he could get and l am still very sick. Ozone is cash only they do not take insurance. Now they tell me there are co infections l need to be tested for its $500.00.
Wish me luck!

Reply
Shelley
4/10/2020 06:33:14 am

Hi Linda. I hope and pray that you are doing much better. I was hoping to ask you where you went for ozone treatment? Did you find it helpful?

Reply
Andrew
6/12/2020 10:10:01 pm

Check out this book on curing Lyme's disease with herbs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0970869649/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Evd5EbF71RAB0

Reply
Rachel
9/26/2020 06:05:33 pm

PLEASE look into lyme laser treatment! I've had lyme for 6 years and this has made me feel incredible in less than 6 weeks. I do the lyme diet and non invasive laser therapy, and take all natural supplements. Please look into this I swear it will change your life!

Reply
Christina
10/9/2020 03:11:50 pm

Hi Rachel! That is incredible! Would you mind sharing some more info on which laser therapy and how it works? You can also email me cskova01@ladyoflyme.com

Ean Nicole
7/1/2017 02:22:09 am

What about Cacao Nibs?

Reply
Christina
7/1/2017 03:16:05 am

Yes those should be fine! Chocolate without sugar is not a problem at all. I have found dark chocolate bars sweetened with stevia which are a delicious treat & a really yummy alternative to quench a sweet tooth!

Reply
AnnettePK
7/12/2020 09:42:12 am

Cacao nibs and cacao powder do have caffeine, though.

Keri
10/9/2020 11:35:43 am

What Lyme diet book specifically did you use Christina?

Reply
Christina
10/9/2020 02:46:24 pm

Hi Keri! The books I listed at the top of this post are what I used. I bought them all and then chose which recipes I liked from them each since I can be a little bit of a picky eater!

Reply
Ann
12/11/2020 12:33:51 am

Just wanted to note that the Dandy Blend dandelion coffee is *not* gluten free as it contains barley. My sister in law and I are both struggling with Lyme and she purchased the coffee recommended here above. After several days of worsened issues I happened to be over and she offered me a cup .... as someone with Celiac also my first step is always reading ingredients... the first of which is roasted barley which is definitely it gluten free.... we trashed it.

Reply
Tina
2/21/2021 04:47:37 pm

Hi!
I have been seeking diet plans for my own Lyme diagnosis, which is extremely painful. I do not want to go in to any detail as this IS an old thread and I do not know if it's active still.

Reply
Ruby
5/31/2021 10:00:39 pm

Just to let some know, I have also done laser treatment for lyme. It did NOT work. I have had treatments until the chiropractor said I was "cured" of lyme. I cried because I still felt like garbage. This chiropractor is a friend, too. Always the same story. I spent so much money. My son went through this, too.
One interesting thing I will say after hearing lyme is curable..the other night on the local news, they actually said there was no cure for lyme. I was shocked that someone in the news actually admitted it.
I have bought a zapper and I am going to try that. I think it does more then the laser because I got a fever the next day. I live in Connecticut..have been dealing with this for most of my life. I hope the laser really helps Rachel, but I felt it was important to let you know both sides because it is expensive and insurance did not cover it.
Thank you Christina for writing this blog. I have a lot of reading to do. Hugs to all who suffer.

Reply
Trouble Mandeson
7/18/2021 02:42:32 pm

I was just told I gave Lyme although I'm asymptomatic. I also have Granuloma Annulare so prone to rashes. Its hard to change my diet and lifestyle when I feel healthy and strong yet my Lyme level was over 9 and I tested abnormal for 8 out of 10.. I'm going to try to cut out sugar and since I work on a farm much if my food is locally grown. Funny thing is I can eat anything and I don't have any digestive issues! Thanks for the support. I don't want to ignore but its hard when I feel fine and healthy and strong. Keep on trucking.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Enter your email address to subscribe to new posts:


    Follow @ladyoflyme


    Follow Lady Of Lyme (@ladyoflyme)

    10.2k Followers, 618 Following, 51 Posts - Follow (@ladyoflyme)


    Categories

    All
    Crohn's
    Educational Posts & Info
    Gift Guides
    Giveaways & FREE Resources
    Health/Life Updates
    Interviews & Features
    Lyme Awareness
    Quiz & Polls
    Reflective Thoughts
    Things About Me

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2022
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

© 2011 Lady of Lyme™. All Rights Reserved.

Terms and Conditions  - Privacy Policy
Connect with me:
Facebook
Twitter
Contact   About   Email Me


Lady of Lyme is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.