What foods are good for scleroderma? A nutritional guide

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

People with scleroderma often face a higher risk of malnutrition and experience various gastrointestinal issues, making nutrition a critical component of symptom management. Finding what foods are good for scleroderma involves creating a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet that provides essential nutrients while minimizing triggers and addressing specific GI concerns.

Quick Summary

This nutritional guide explores beneficial foods and dietary strategies for managing scleroderma symptoms. It highlights anti-inflammatory foods, tips for addressing digestive problems like reflux and bloating, and adaptations for swallowing difficulties.

Key Points

Anti-inflammatory foods are key: Focus on whole foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to help combat inflammation associated with scleroderma.
Manage reflux with smaller meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding trigger foods like citrus, tomatoes, and coffee can help minimize acid reflux.
Address bloating with dietary adjustments: For GI discomfort, consider a temporary low FODMAP diet to identify problematic carbohydrates and increase fluid and soluble fiber intake.
Adapt food textures for swallowing issues: If dysphagia is a concern, opt for soft, pureed, or liquid foods like smoothies and soups to maintain adequate nutrient intake.
Avoid processed foods and added sugars: Minimizing ultra-processed items, high in additives and sugar, can help reduce inflammation and improve gut health.
Stay hydrated and consider supplements: Proper hydration is crucial, and supplements like vitamin D and probiotics may be beneficial, but always consult a doctor first.

Navigating a diet with scleroderma can be challenging due to the wide range of individual symptoms, including inflammation, digestive issues, and swallowing difficulties. While there is no specific cure-all diet, focusing on whole, nutrient-dense, and minimally processed foods can significantly improve quality of life. The following guide outlines key nutritional strategies to help manage common scleroderma symptoms.

Combating Inflammation with an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Inflammation is a hallmark of scleroderma, and dietary choices can play a key role in managing it. An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids while minimizing pro-inflammatory items.

Omega-3-rich foods: These fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
- Fatty fish: Include salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines in your meals.
- Nuts and seeds: Incorporate walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds into your diet.
Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables: Deeply colored produce is packed with antioxidants that combat inflammation.
- Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are excellent choices.
- Dark leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and other dark greens offer a nutritional boost.
Spices and herbs: Many common spices have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound.
- Ginger: Also has strong anti-inflammatory effects.

Managing Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Scleroderma-related gastrointestinal (GI) issues can be complex, ranging from acid reflux to bloating and malabsorption. Dietary adjustments can provide significant relief.

Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Eat small, frequent meals: Large meals can increase pressure on the stomach and trigger reflux.
Stay upright after eating: Avoid lying down for at least 2-3 hours after a meal to prevent stomach acid from traveling up the esophagus.
Avoid trigger foods: Common culprits include fatty or fried foods, spicy items, tomatoes, citrus, coffee, and alcohol.
Consider softer foods: Warm soups, yogurt (dairy-free if needed), and cooked vegetables can be gentler on the digestive system.

Bloating and Constipation

Increase fluid intake: Staying well-hydrated helps promote regularity and prevent constipation.
Eat soluble fiber: Foods like bananas, oats, and apples contain soluble fiber, which can help regulate bowel movements and aid with diarrhea.
Probiotics: Daily supplements or foods like yogurt with active cultures may help restore gut function.
Consider a low FODMAP approach: For persistent bloating, gas, and abdominal pain, a healthcare provider might recommend a temporary low FODMAP diet to identify specific triggers.

Comparison of Scleroderma-Friendly Foods and Triggers


Symptom	Recommended Foods	Potential Trigger/Problematic Foods
Inflammation	Fatty fish (salmon), walnuts, spinach, blueberries, turmeric, ginger	Processed foods, added sugars, refined grains
Acid Reflux	Non-citrus fruits, cooked vegetables, gluten-free oats, ginger tea	Citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, fried foods
Bloating	Gluten-free grains, lactose-free dairy (if sensitive), cooked vegetables	High FODMAP foods (onions, garlic, wheat, certain fruits), beans, carbonated drinks
Constipation	Soluble fiber (oats, bananas), plenty of fluids, probiotics	Highly processed foods, inadequate fluid intake
Swallowing difficulty	Smoothies, pureed vegetables, soft proteins (eggs, fish), gravy	Dry or tough foods, sticky items like peanut butter
Raynaud's	Warm soups and beverages, foods rich in Omega-3s	Cold foods and drinks, caffeine, smoking

Adaptations for Chewing and Swallowing

Difficulties with chewing and swallowing, known as dysphagia, are common and can lead to malnourishment. Adjusting food texture can make eating easier and more enjoyable.

Liquid and pureed options: Utilize smoothies made with fruits, vegetables, nut butters, and protein powder. Soups with pureed vegetables are also excellent.
Soft, moist proteins: Choose soft foods like scrambled eggs, fish with gravy, ground meats, or cottage cheese.
Moisten dry foods: Dunking bread in broth or adding extra sauces to meals can help.
Chew thoroughly and eat slowly: Taking your time with meals and chewing food into small pieces aids digestion and prevents issues.

Foods to Limit and Avoid

Beyond known triggers, minimizing ultra-processed foods is a sound strategy. These items, often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients, can promote inflammation and disrupt gut health.

Ultra-processed foods: This includes packaged snacks, instant noodles, sugary drinks, and fast food.
Added sugars: Excess sugar can fuel inflammation and negatively impact the gut microbiome.
Grapefruit: Can interact with certain medications, including calcium channel blockers often prescribed for Raynaud's.

Conclusion

While a scleroderma-specific diet doesn't exist, a personalized, anti-inflammatory approach focusing on whole foods is highly recommended. By incorporating nutrient-dense items like fatty fish, colorful fruits and vegetables, and easy-to-digest options, you can help manage symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Always consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet to ensure your nutritional needs are met.

For more detailed guidance and resources, visit the Scleroderma Research Foundation at srfcure.org/living-with-scleroderma/resources/diet-nutrition-scleroderma/.

Frequently Asked Questions

To help prevent acid reflux, it is often recommended to avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, fried foods, and large meals. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help manage symptoms.

A low FODMAP diet may be beneficial for some individuals with scleroderma who experience persistent gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. However, it is a restrictive diet, and you should consult a dietitian before starting it to ensure adequate nutrition.

If you have difficulty swallowing, focus on soft, moist foods. Good options include smoothies, pureed fruits and vegetables, soups, scrambled eggs, and ground meats with gravy. Chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly is also important.

Yes, incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds, can help reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, along with spices like turmeric and ginger, also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day can provide a continuous source of energy and help stabilize blood sugar levels. Ensuring a balanced intake of nutrients, staying hydrated, and checking for potential iron or vitamin deficiencies with your doctor can also help.

Supplements like probiotics, vitamin D, and biotin may be beneficial, but it is important to discuss them with your doctor before starting. Blood tests can identify specific deficiencies, and an excessive intake of some vitamins can be harmful.

Grapefruit can interact with certain medications used for scleroderma, such as calcium channel blockers prescribed for Raynaud's phenomenon. It can increase the medication's effect, so it's important to consult your doctor about potential interactions.