Diet is a hot topic on MyLupusTeam. Members frequently discuss foods that exacerbate their symptoms and ask each other questions about which diet programs have worked to reduce flares.

Most medical professionals recommend people with lupus eat a balanced diet and counsel avoiding garlic and alfalfa sprouts. Members of MyLupusTeam often raise questions about the popular autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which prohibits grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, alcohol, eggs, select oils, and select vegetables. However, safety and effectiveness of the AIP diet has not been proven in clinical studies.

While there isn’t evidence to support the AIP diet, some members saw an improvement when they followed it. “When I eat [according to AIP], flares are kept at bay,” a MyLupusTeam member reported.

Whether or not members follow a specific diet plan, processed and fast foods top the list of trigger foods. “I quit eating processed food and began feeling much better,” one member commented. Another member shared, “I wanted to cheat on my lupus diet and ate two slices of pizza. I woke up to lots of pain.”

Several members have also reported success in cutting red meat, dairy, gluten, and sugar from their diets.

The impact of diet on lupus symptoms is highly individualized. “Everyone can have different food triggers,” a member wrote. “It’s important to find out what makes you feel better and makes you feel worse.”

On MyLupusTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with lupus, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Diet is one of the most discussed topics.

Here are some question-and-answer threads about diet: