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Fibromyalgia and Nutrition
What Do We Know About the Low FODMAP Diet?
The low FODMAP diet is now recognized as an effective intervention for many people with IBS. It involves temporarily reducing certain fermentable carbohydrates that may trigger abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel habit changes in sensitive individuals.
However, it is important to distinguish the effects observed on IBS from those observed on fibromyalgia itself. Some studies have reported improvements in certain symptoms among people with fibromyalgia following a low FODMAP diet. However, current evidence mainly suggests that this approach may be helpful when fibromyalgia is accompanied by digestive symptoms consistent with IBS. Therefore, the low FODMAP diet should not be considered a treatment for fibromyalgia. Nevertheless, it may be an interesting option for individuals who also experience abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
The Mediterranean Diet: A Promising Approach
Among the nutritional approaches studied in recent years, the Mediterranean diet has generated growing interest. This dietary pattern emphasizes vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, and fish. Long associated with cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, it is now being investigated in several chronic diseases.
Recent studies have observed improvements in pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life among some people with fibromyalgia who adopted a Mediterranean-style diet. A systematic review published in 2025 also concluded that this approach may have beneficial effects on several symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. These findings are encouraging but should be interpreted with caution. Studies remain limited, and more research is needed before the Mediterranean diet can be officially recommended as a treatment for fibromyalgia.
Nevertheless, unlike many restrictive diets, this approach has the advantage of being consistent with general health and nutrition recommendations.
The Most Strongly Supported Intervention: Physical Activity
Although this article focuses on nutrition, it is important to remember that the non-pharmacological strategy with the strongest scientific support remains appropriately tailored to physical activity. Recommendations from the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) indicate that exercise is the only intervention that has received a strong recommendation for the management of fibromyalgia. Observed benefits include improvements in pain, sleep quality, functional capacity, and quality of life.
This does not mean starting an intensive exercise program overnight. For people living with fibromyalgia, a gradual approach is generally the most appropriate. Walking, aquatic exercise, stationary cycling, and light strengthening exercises can all be excellent starting points.
Author
Lyna is a McGill University–trained registered dietitian and has been a member of the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec (ODNQ) since 2020. Through several years of varied clinical experience, she has developed a strong interest in science-based nutrition that is meant to be understood and applied in everyday life. Always with her glass of mint tea, she enjoys making complex nutrition concepts clear, practical, and accessible. She is particularly interested in the development of tools and projects with a broad positive impact, supporting informed and sustainable food choices.
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