If you are NEW to Lymphedema and no one has told you that food is a potential trigger for swelling, IT CAN definitely be a source for more inflammation. The catch is everyone is different, so the triggers are NOT the same for all. This concept is similar to someone eating chocolate and breaking out in acne, or headaches from the sulfites in wine.
Factors involved include but are not limited to –
✔️Genetics
✔️Environment
✔️Food allergies
✔️Co-existing conditions like diabetes, etc.
For example, sodium is NOT a trigger for me but watermelon makes me swell. I don’t know how many people have told me my Lymphedema would be “cured” if I just avoided salt. I wish it were that simple.
Again, I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I have just lived with this for over 1/2 my life. Not here to recommend a specific diet or get into a debate about the best one. That is a multi-billion dollar industry in and of itself.
YOU know your body and needs best. No one else can tell you how YOU feel when you eat something.
I’m here to pass the message to pay attention to your diet for any clues on how it impacts your swelling. Keep a food diary or notes on these observations and take action if necessary to make changes. Ask around for what others are doing or trying, and make your own judgement call for your lymphatic health.
Best,
Lymphie Strong
