Food doesn’t cause, prevent, or treat amyloidosis. But what you eat can affect how you feel. Fortunately, there are many tasty, healthy foods you can include in your amyloidosis diet.

Eating nutritious foods can offer many benefits for people with amyloidosis, such as:

• More energy
• Stronger muscles
• Better recovery after treatment

Here’s what to know when planning meals with amyloidosis.

How To Plan Your Amyloidosis Diet

There’s no single diet that works best for everyone with amyloidosis. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making major changes to what you eat.

Everyone’s nutritional needs are a little different. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a tool called MyPlate Plan that helps estimate how much you should eat from each food group.

Some people prefer a specific eating plan. One option often recommended by healthcare professionals is the Mediterranean diet. This diet focuses on:

• Whole grains
• Vegetables and fruits
• Beans
• Olive oil
• Nuts and seeds
• Fish and seafood

It also includes poultry, eggs, and dairy in moderation. Red meat, added sugars, and animal-based fats like butter should be limited.

This way of eating supports heart health, which makes it a good fit for people with AL amyloidosis or ATTR amyloidosis, since both types have a higher risk of heart problems. People with kidney problems related to amyloidosis may also need to limit their sodium (salt) intake to help protect kidney function.

Most people with amyloidosis should follow the general guidelines for a healthy diet, including a variety of nutritious foods. However, depending on your health and medical history, you may need to avoid certain foods.

What To Eat

If you want personalized help with meal planning, talk to a registered dietitian. These healthcare professionals can give you advice based on your symptoms and nutritional needs. If you’re just getting started, these four types of foods are a good place to begin building a balanced diet.

1. Whole Grains

Carbohydrates give your body energy. There are a different types of carbohydrates:

• Sugars break down quickly, which can cause blood sugar to spike and crash.
• Starches are long strings of complex carbohydrates that take longer to digest, helping blood sugar stay stable and giving you longer-lasting energy.
• Fiber supports healthy digestion, helps you feel full, lowers cholesterol and supports overall health.

Whole grains are a great source of fiber and other nutrients. Whole wheat bread or pasta, oatmeal, brown rice, popcorn, and grains like quinoa and buckwheat can all be important staples in a healthy diet.

2. Colorful Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are another great source of fiber. Scientists recommend filling half of your plate with fruits or nonstarchy vegetables to optimize your health. When possible, eat the skin of fruits and vegetables — it’s often where most of the fiber is.

Examples of nonstarchy vegetables include:

• Broccoli or cauliflower
• Carrots
• Celery
• Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini

Colorful fruits and vegetables have a variety of vitamins and minerals. They help keep your immune system strong to fight off infections. They also support the health of your nerves and body tissues. “I eat a lot more fruits and vegetables than I did before my diagnosis,” said a member of MyAmyloidosisTeam.

If you’re worried you’re not getting enough vitamins and minerals from food, you may consider taking supplements. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor first. Some products, including natural supplements, herbs, and vitamins, can interfere with amyloidosis medications.

For example, some treatments for amyloidosis shouldn’t be taken with vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Studies show that vitamin C can make certain medications less effective. It’s usually safer and more beneficial to get this vitamin through food instead of supplements.

3. Healthy Fats

Fats give your body energy and help it work properly. Everyone needs fat — with or without amyloidosis — to absorb certain vitamins and function properly. However, it’s important to choose the right kinds.

Too much saturated fat or trans fat can raise your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Saturated fat is found in foods that come from animals, such as fatty meats and dairy products. Although trans fats have become rare in food in the last decade, small amounts can still be found in ultraprocessed, prepackaged, or fried fast food. These fats should only be eaten occasionally.

On the other hand, healthy fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can help maintain healthier cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease. Good sources include:

• Nuts
• Avocados
• Flax seeds
• Fatty fish (like salmon or sardines)
• Olive oil

You can add these fats to your meals by cooking with olive oil, topping your oatmeal or cereal with ground flaxseeds, or snacking on a handful of raw nuts.

4. Lean Proteins

Protein helps your body build and repair muscles, skin, and bones. It also supports hormone and enzyme production. Eating enough protein each day is important for staying strong and healthy.

There is no need for people with amyloidosis to lower their protein intake. Although amyloidosis is caused by a buildup of amyloid proteins in the body, food protein doesn’t make the disease worse. The proteins found in food are different from the abnormal proteins made by the body during amyloidosis. A high-protein diet won’t cause more amyloid deposits to form.

However, people with amyloidosis who also have kidney disease may need to follow a low-protein diet. Your doctor can help you decide how much protein is safe for you.

Choosing low-fat sources of protein can help you get the nutrients you need while avoiding saturated fats.

Healthy protein choices include:

• Lean meats (such as pork loin or 93 percent lean ground beef)
• Poultry (like chicken or turkey)
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds
• Beans, lentils, and peas
• Soybeans and soy products (like tofu)
• Seafood (such as salmon and trout)

One member of MyAmyloidosisTeam shared, “I still eat meat, but I ensure it’s not ham. Steak must be 97 percent lean, like filet mignon. I eat as little fat as possible. … Remember to avoid lunch meats, hot dogs, and salami, but certain fish are definitely better, like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.”

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyAmyloidosisTeam, the social network for people with amyloidosis and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with amyloidosis.

How do you manage healthy eating with amyloidosis? Do you feel like having a balanced diet improves your quality of life? Share your experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.