Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus develops outside the uterus. Good nutrition is more important than eating any one specific food and certain nutrients can help to reduce inflammation, while other foods specifically make pains worse. For patients with endometriosis, high fiber diet, Omega 3 fatty acids are a good option. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts are good to control the symptoms to some extent. Saturated fats should be taken in limited quantities.
DIET CHART FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS
EARLY-MORNING
Amla juice / Herbal tea / Barley water / Wheatgrass Juice
BREAKFAST
Broken wheat porridge (Veg / Sweet Dalia) / Veg Oats / Veg Semolina (veg upma) / Veg Poha (Rice flakes) / Veg Idli / Vermicelli (Sewian) / Besan pancake (gram flour) / Chapatti with veg or Dal / 1- Egg white portion only
MID-MORNING
Fruit / Coconut water / Herbal tea / Green tea
LUNCH
Boiled Rice / Wheat flour Chapatti / Vegetable + Dal / Steamed Salad
EVENING
Sprouts / Green tea / Soup (Home-made) / Herbal tea / Roasted chickpea / Rice flakes snack
DINNER
Chapatti / Vegetable + Dal + Steamed salad
DIET INSTRUCTIONS
CEREALS
Cereals to be consumed
Whole grains cereals, Whole wheat, Oatmeal, Quinoa, Barley, Millet, Multigrain, Rice flakes, Puffed rice, Corn, Brown rice
Cereals to be avoided
White refined flour, White rice and refined grains
FRUITS
Fruits to be consumed
Banana, Prunes, Papaya, Avocado, Cherries, Figs, Apples, Amla, Pear, Pomegranate, Apricot.
Fruits to be avoided
All canned and packaged fruits
VEGETABLES
Vegetables to be consumed
Beans, Sprouts, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Beat, Onion, Garlic, Artichokes, Carrots, Spinach, Kale, Peas, Turnips, Lettuce, Bottle gourd, Bitter gourd, Ridge gourd, Pumpkin, Coriander leaves, Fenugreek leaves, Mustard greens, Chicory, Winter squash, Mushroom.
Vegetables to be avoided
Overcooked, Fried, Baked and frozen Vegetables
PULSES
Pulses to be consumed
All whole pulses, Lentils and Legumes
Pulses to be avoided
Dried and frozen pulses
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Dairy Products to be consumed
Soya milk, Tofu
Dairy Products to be avoided
Milk and its products, Whole milk and cream, Full-fat yogurt, Cream cheese, Condensed milk
SPICES
Spices to be consumed
Cumin, Fennel, Coriander, Salt, Thyme, Turmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper, Fenugreek seeds, Mustard seeds (in moderate quantity)
Spices to be avoided
Red chilies and Green chilies
DRINKS
Drinks to be consumed
Coconut water, Fat-free homemade soups, Green juice, Herbal tea, Beetroot juice, Aloe Vera juice, Barley water, Wheatgrass juice, Gooseberry juice, Pumpkin juice, Pomegranate juice, Dandelion tea
Drinks to be avoided
Whole milk drinks, Cream based liqueurs, Canned soup and packaged soup, Alcohol, Sweetened drinks, Squashes, Hot chocolate drinks, Coffee, Tea
FLESH FOODS
Flesh Foods to be consumed
Egg white only, Lean meat, Skinless chicken, Grilled or roasted fish (0ccasionally)
Flesh Foods to be avoided
Prawns, Lobster, Crab, Lean beef, Pork, Lamb, Ham, Very lean minced meat, Turkey, Rabbit, Mutton, Duck, Hot dogs, Organ meat like Liver, Kidney and Chest, Red meat, Dark meat poultry, Smoked and canned fish.
SEEDS AND DRY FRUITS
Dry Fruits to be consumed
Almond, Walnuts, Figs, Brazil nuts, Flax seeds, Pumpkin seeds
Dry Fruits to be avoided
Peanuts, Raisins, Pistachio, Cashew nuts
OILS
Oils to be consumed
Cow ghee, Olive oil, Canola oil, Fish oil, Mustard oil
Oils to be avoided
Hydrogenated oil, Butter, Palm oil,
OTHER FOODS
Other Foods to be consumed
Homemade only, Jaggery, Honey
Other Foods to be avoided
All bakery products or processed foods, Sauces, Fruit jellies, Jams, Mayonnaise, White sugar, Ice-cream, Coconut bar, Chutneys, Pickles, Junk food, Deep fried foods, All Spicy foods, Too much salty food, Frozen food.
LIFESTYLE AND DIETARY TIPS
- Walk for at least 30-45 min is recommended.
- Whole fruit should be preferred to fruit juices.
- Water intake should be increased at least 8-10 glass regularly
- Herbal Tea– Boil ½ tsp each of fennel, coriander, cumin in 3 cups of water till it’s reduced to 1 cup.
- Soaked Almond- 5 pieces
Note – So, we have listed all the essential food items that are good for women with endometriosis. So do not forget to include these in your diet.