Understanding What Is the Sjogren's Diet? A Guide to Managing Symptoms Through Nutrition

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Affecting millions, Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks moisture-producing glands. While not a cure, a focused anti-inflammatory dietary approach, commonly referred to as the Sjogren's diet, can help manage symptoms like dryness, fatigue, and joint pain by reducing systemic inflammation.

Quick Summary

A dietary approach for Sjögren's syndrome involves minimizing inflammatory foods and emphasizing nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory options to help alleviate common symptoms such as dryness and fatigue. Focus on moist, soft foods, stay well-hydrated, and identify personal food sensitivities for better symptom control.

Key Points

Symptom Management: The Sjogren's diet is an anti-inflammatory approach to manage symptoms like dryness and fatigue, not a cure for the autoimmune condition.
Anti-inflammatory Focus: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy omega-3 fats while reducing processed foods, refined sugars, and bad fats.
Address Dry Mouth: Use dietary strategies like eating moist foods, adding sauces, and staying well-hydrated to ease swallowing and oral discomfort.
Identify Triggers: Keeping a food diary can help pinpoint individual sensitivities to common trigger foods such as gluten, dairy, and acidic or spicy items.
Mediterranean-Style Eating: Studies suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean diet, rich in fish and produce, is associated with lower disease activity in Sjögren's patients.
Stay Hydrated and Informed: Drinking plenty of water and consulting with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian are crucial steps for safe and effective dietary management.

What is the Sjogren's Diet?

There is no single, prescribed “Sjogren's diet,” but rather a nutritional strategy centered on managing symptoms of this autoimmune condition. The core principle is to reduce inflammation throughout the body by eliminating or limiting foods that can trigger an immune response and to incorporate foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties. For individuals with Sjögren's, a modified anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce the severity of symptoms such as dry mouth, dry eyes, and joint pain. Adopting such a diet is a proactive measure to support overall health and improve quality of life alongside medical treatments. Some research even indicates that following a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern, which is inherently anti-inflammatory, is associated with lower disease activity.

Principles of the Anti-inflammatory Approach

The Sjogren's diet focuses on a few key pillars:

Reduce Inflammation: Autoimmune diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation. The diet aims to calm this immune response by avoiding pro-inflammatory foods.
Enhance Moisture: The diet includes strategies to help combat the hallmark dryness associated with the syndrome. This involves focusing on foods with high water content and specific dietary fats.
Improve Gut Health: The gut microbiome is linked to immune function, and imbalances can be a factor in autoimmune conditions. The diet encourages foods that support a healthy gut.
Provide Nutrient Density: With potential dietary limitations and potential malabsorption issues, it's crucial to consume nutrient-rich foods to maintain overall health.

Foods to Embrace on the Sjogren's Diet

Incorporating a variety of anti-inflammatory foods can be beneficial. These foods are generally packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats.

Fruits and Vegetables: Aim for a wide range of colorful, water-rich fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens like spinach and kale, berries, cucumbers, and avocados are excellent choices.
Healthy Fats: Include sources rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have potent anti-inflammatory effects. Good examples include fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel), olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
Whole Grains and Legumes: These high-fiber options can support gut health and aid digestion. Examples include quinoa, oats, lentils, and beans.
Lean Protein: Opt for lean proteins like poultry, beans, and tofu. If eating red meat, choose organic, grass-fed options in moderation.
Probiotics and Fermented Foods: Supporting the gut microbiome with probiotics can be helpful. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and miso are good sources.
Anti-inflammatory Herbs and Spices: Flavor your food with natural anti-inflammatory agents like turmeric, ginger, and garlic.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

To reduce inflammation and irritation, it's often recommended to limit or completely eliminate certain food groups that can act as triggers.

Processed and Fried Foods: These are often high in trans fats, refined oils (like canola and corn oil), and additives that promote inflammation.
Sugars and Refined Grains: High-glycemic foods can cause blood sugar spikes that aggravate inflammation. This includes sweets, sodas, and white bread.
Dairy Products: For some, dairy can be a trigger for inflammation due to lactose or saturated fats. An elimination trial can help determine individual sensitivity.
Gluten: Some individuals with Sjögren's report symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet, and it's worth exploring, especially if celiac disease is suspected.
Alcohol and Caffeine: Both are known dehydrating agents and can worsen dry mouth and eye symptoms.
Acidic, Spicy, and Salty Foods: These can irritate a dry, sensitive mouth and exacerbate symptoms. Examples include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and excessive salt.

Comparison of Sjogren's Diet Recommendations


Food Category	Recommended for Sjogren's Diet	To Limit or Avoid for Sjogren's Diet
Protein	Fatty fish (salmon, tuna), lean poultry, tofu, legumes	Processed meats, conventionally-raised red meat
Fats	Extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds	Trans fats, hydrogenated oils, corn and canola oil, saturated fats
Carbohydrates	Whole grains (oats, quinoa), high-fiber legumes, fruits, vegetables	Refined grains (white bread, pasta), sugary foods and drinks
Dairy	Fermented non-dairy products, unsweetened yogurt (monitor for tolerance)	Cow's milk, cheese, and other dairy products (potential allergen)
Beverages	Water, herbal teas, broths	Alcohol, caffeinated beverages, sugary drinks, carbonated drinks

Dietary Strategies for Symptom Relief

In addition to what you eat, how you eat can make a significant difference in managing Sjögren's symptoms.

Choose Moist Foods: Opt for soft, moist foods like soups, stews, sauces, smoothies, and casseroles to make swallowing easier.
Soften Your Food: Add sauces, gravies, or broths to moisten dry foods. Blending or pureeing can also be effective.
Stay Hydrated: Sip water, herbal tea, or coconut water frequently throughout the day, especially with meals, to aid in swallowing and keep your mouth hydrated.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum or Lozenges: This can help stimulate saliva production. Opt for products with xylitol to help protect against cavities.
Identify Personal Triggers: Keep a food journal to track what you eat and how your symptoms react. This personalized approach can help you pinpoint specific trigger foods.

Consulting a Healthcare Professional

While dietary changes can be a powerful tool for symptom management, they are not a substitute for prescribed medical treatment. Always consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet to ensure a personalized and nutritionally complete plan. A healthcare provider can help you navigate potential deficiencies and tailor a diet that best suits your needs.

Conclusion

For individuals with Sjögren's syndrome, adopting a mindful, anti-inflammatory dietary pattern can offer significant relief from chronic symptoms like dryness, fatigue, and pain. By prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods and identifying personal triggers, you can reduce inflammation and improve your overall well-being. Coupled with a personalized treatment plan, the anti-inflammatory principles of what is the Sjogren's diet can empower you to take an active role in managing your health. For more resources on living with Sjögren's, you can visit the Sjögren's Foundation.

Sjögren's Foundation: Nutrition to Improve Symptoms of Sjögren's

Note: Medical advice is not provided. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new diet or health regimen.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there is no single diet that cures Sjögren's syndrome. Instead, people adopt an anti-inflammatory dietary pattern that helps manage and alleviate symptoms like dryness, fatigue, and joint pain.

You may benefit from limiting or avoiding processed foods, fried foods, sugary drinks and sweets, refined grains, excessive salt, alcohol, caffeine, and acidic or spicy foods, as they can exacerbate symptoms.

Keeping a detailed food journal is an effective method. You can track what you eat and drink, along with any symptom changes, to help identify specific foods that worsen your symptoms.

Yes, research has shown a link between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and lower disease activity and reduced ocular dryness in Sjögren's patients, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

For dry mouth, try consuming soft and moist foods like soups and sauces, sip water frequently with meals, and use a straw to make swallowing easier. Avoiding very hot, dry, or crunchy foods is also helpful.

Not necessarily for everyone. Dairy and gluten are potential inflammatory triggers for some people with autoimmune diseases, but responses are individual. An elimination trial, guided by a healthcare professional, can help determine your specific tolerance.

Hydration is crucial. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain moisture in mucous membranes and is particularly important for relieving dry mouth and eye symptoms.

Yes. Cooking methods like boiling, baking with moisture, slow cooking, or pressure cooking can help produce softer, more palatable foods that are easier to eat with a dry mouth.