Eating fruit

[recall92]

Hey everyone. I have complex partial seizures. I usually have about 4-7 a week. I have only had 1 tonic clonic. It' happened about four months ago. I have simple partials also. Well I rarely eat fruit. Never ate it much during my youth. I'm 23 years of age. Just wondering if I was to eat fruit will that improve my seizures?

[Nakamova]

It's unlikely that eating fruit all by itself would do the trick, especially because the fruits are all supply different nutrients, ones that you can also get from other foods. (For instance, bananas are a good source of potassium, citrus fruits offer vitamin C, tomatoes are a good source of lycopene and antioxidants, etc.). Fruits are high in fiber, but also high in sugar.

On the other hand it certainly can't hurt to make sure you are following a healthy diet, one that includes fruit and vegetables. A good basic diet to consider is the mediterranean diet -- it's one that emphasizes grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, flax and olive oils, and fish protein.

[JimNavy]

I don't know. But since fruit and vegetables are good for you they could improve your overall health

I don't eat nearly as much as I should.....

[valeriedl]

I usually have some type of fruit once a day, an orange, apple, some watermellon. I don't know if it helps or not. Becareful though what kind you eat. I don't know what meds you are one but with one of mine I cannot eat grapefruit.

[SteveUK]

Some sound advice there from Nakanova! Mediterranean diet is a classic diet to follow, I lived in Spain for one year and the fresh markets had fruit and veg everywhere! Flax seeds are also a good one to take! Best to buy it in tablet form, currently taking it by the spoonful - not the most pleasant experience.

I eat lots of fruit and veg as a personal choice. I asked my neurologist would this help with my Epilepsy? He said it would not necessarily help directly. However, put simply, in my own experience the more nutrients and minerals you provide your body with the better my general well being and overall happiness, the happier I am the less stressed I am, the less stressed I am the less likely I will have petit mal seizures.

If you chose to go down the fruit route, start easy, say one piece of fruit per day for a week and build up gradually to 2 or 3 pieces of fruit.

One solid rule would be 1 litre of water per day, this will help with your digestion.

This is only my opinion, maybe ask your doctor for some advise too - they always know your personal situation (hopefully)

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Steveo

[Billyboyboo]

I eat fruit daily...
I eat vegetables as well...
To me if I eat fruit instead of a candy bar, I feel healthier and better...

Billy.

[shortie89]

I think fruits and veggies would def improve...(but i hold no PhD or MD). However you would def be getting your natural sugar, as well as a good source of vitamins. Those two things together i think would def improve with your seizures.

I was always one who ate veggies and fruit just because it was there, i liked them, and thats what my mom had around. Dont get me wrong i love me sweet as well *guilty face*.

You said that you have about 4-7 seizures per week...well, maybe a little change in the diet might help. I have maybe about 2-3 seizures every few months. And i eat alot of fruit. I get what ever fruit is on sale and in season..it just becomes apart of the menu.

Shortie

[RobinN]

If you have a sugar imbalance it might be helpful to supplement the tropical fruits for more berries. Tropical fruits are the highest in sugars. I have for now, eliminated bananas from Rebecca's diet and included more blueberries, and strawberries.

Steve - I was told by Rebecca's nutritionist that ground flax seed is what I should be using. I add it to baked goods. The body I guess has difficulty digesting seeds, so much is eliminated before their nutrients can be absorbed.

I rank fruit and vegetables higher on the food pyramid, before grains and meat products.

[SteveUK]

@ Robin, yes ground flax seeds possibly are a better buy - I buy the oils as a more accessibly / lazy option, don't really bake much (if at all). I think you can sprinkle flax seeds over cereal too - maybe something else I could consider

I hope this is all helping you Recall and it is not too much info? Nutritional information can appear a mine field, perhaps just take fruit intake very little by little?

Steve

[Nakamova]

Chia seeds are a good source of Omega3s too. And they work well in seed form.

[RobinN]

@ Robin, yes ground flax seeds possibly are a better buy - I buy the oils as a more accessibly / lazy option, don't really bake much (if at all). I think you can sprinkle flax seeds over cereal too - maybe something else I could consider

Steve

I think it is more the fact that the whole seed isn't as easily absorbed as the ground seed is.

For now our nutritionist wants us to keep Rebecca's supplements as is. Then after about 2-3 yrs of being seizure free, he will ask us to introduce more food products to replace the supplements.