What foods should you avoid if you have myositis? A nutritional guide to managing inflammation

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of myositis, a rare autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness. Understanding what foods should you avoid if you have myositis? is a key part of an anti-inflammatory diet that can help manage symptoms and support overall health.

Quick Summary

For individuals with myositis, avoiding pro-inflammatory items such as processed foods, refined sugar, and saturated fats is critical for symptom management.

Key Points

Processed foods: Avoid processed and fast foods, which contain inflammatory ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and excess salt.
High-sugar items: Limit intake of sugary drinks, pastries, and white flour products, as these can cause inflammatory blood sugar spikes.
Unhealthy fats: Cut back on foods high in saturated and trans fats, such as fatty red meat and fried foods, which are pro-inflammatory.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can cause myopathy and promote inflammation, so limiting or avoiding it is recommended.
Dysphagia considerations: If you have difficulty swallowing, avoid dry and crumbly foods and opt for softer, moist alternatives like smoothies and pureed vegetables.
Medication adjustments: Tailor your diet to counter medication side effects, such as reducing sodium and sugar intake when taking corticosteroids.
Careful with supplements: Be cautious with immune-stimulating supplements like spirulina, echinacea, and elderberry, as they may exacerbate autoimmune activity.

Understanding the role of diet in myositis

Myositis is a group of rare autoimmune diseases causing muscle inflammation and weakness. While medical treatment is essential, diet can complement this by reducing inflammation. Certain foods are known to promote inflammation, making it important for those with myositis to limit or avoid them.

Foods to limit or avoid

To help manage myositis symptoms through diet, it's generally advised to reduce or eliminate foods known to increase inflammation:

Processed foods and unhealthy fats: Foods high in saturated and trans fats, found in many fast foods and baked goods, are pro-inflammatory. Processed items often contain sodium and artificial ingredients that also contribute to inflammation. Focusing on whole, fresh, and minimally processed foods is recommended.
High-sugar foods and refined carbohydrates: Sugary items and refined carbohydrates like white bread and sugary cereals can cause inflammatory responses and blood sugar spikes. Sugary drinks, especially sodas with high-fructose corn syrup, are particularly problematic. Opting for whole fruits and whole grains is a better choice.
Red meat and processed meat: Red and processed meats contain saturated fats that can promote inflammation. Leaner protein sources like fish, poultry, eggs, and plant-based options are suggested alternatives.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol is linked to myopathy (muscle damage) and can worsen muscle weakness and inflammation in myositis. Limiting or avoiding alcohol is advisable.
Gluten: While not all myositis patients are affected, there's a higher rate of celiac disease in those with myositis, and gluten may trigger symptoms in some genetically predisposed individuals. Discuss screening for celiac disease or a gluten-free trial with your doctor if you have digestive issues.
Certain supplements: Immune-stimulating supplements like spirulina, echinacea, and elderberry may potentially worsen autoimmune conditions. Consult your doctor before taking these.

Addressing dysphagia and medication side effects

Many myositis patients experience dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). To manage this, avoid dry, crumbly foods and favor moist options like blended soups and smoothies. Medications such as corticosteroids can increase appetite, blood sugar, and fluid retention. Limiting sugar and sodium intake can help manage these side effects.

Comparison table: Inflammatory foods to limit vs. anti-inflammatory alternatives


Inflammatory Foods to Limit	Anti-Inflammatory Alternatives
Red meat and processed meats (bacon, sausage)	Lean poultry, fish (especially fatty fish like salmon and sardines), beans, tofu
Fried foods (fries, fried chicken)	Grilled, baked, roasted, or broiled dishes prepared with healthy oils
Sugary drinks (soda, sweetened juices)	Water, herbal tea, green tea, homemade smoothies
Refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta)	Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread), legumes, vegetables
Trans fats (margarine, certain baked goods)	Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil
Processed snacks and fast food	Fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts and seeds

Conclusion: A personalized approach to nutrition

A diet that avoids pro-inflammatory foods can support myositis management, but it is not a cure and should complement medical treatment. As individual needs vary, consulting a healthcare professional like a rheumatologist or dietitian before significant dietary changes is essential. A personalized plan can help identify specific food triggers and ensure nutritional needs are met, contributing to better symptom management and quality of life.

Making informed dietary choices

Making thoughtful dietary choices, focusing on whole foods while limiting processed, sugary, and high-fat items, can help manage myositis symptoms by reducing inflammation. Adjusting your diet for medication side effects and swallowing difficulties is also important. The most effective approach involves collaboration with your healthcare team. The Myositis Association provides additional resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should limit or avoid red meat and processed meats like bacon and sausages, as they contain saturated fats that can promote inflammation. Focus on leaner protein sources instead.

Not necessarily for everyone. While there is a higher incidence of celiac disease in myositis patients, gluten-sensitivity seems to primarily affect a subset of genetically predisposed individuals, and not all myositis patients see improvement on a gluten-free diet.

You should be cautious with immune-stimulating supplements such as spirulina, echinacea, and elderberry, which have the potential to worsen autoimmune symptoms in some patients. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement.

Corticosteroids can increase blood pressure, fluid retention, and blood sugar levels. You may need to limit sodium and sugar intake to manage these side effects.

If you experience dysphagia, it is best to avoid dry and crumbly foods that are hard to swallow. Moist foods, blended soups, and smoothies are often easier to tolerate.

No, there is no single myositis diet. The general advice is to follow an anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole foods, but specific recommendations should be personalized in consultation with a healthcare professional.

Instead of frying, opt for healthier cooking methods such as grilling, baking, roasting, poaching, or broiling to reduce your intake of unhealthy fats.