Diet Plan for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a condition in which trigeminal nerve is compressed or inflamed. Trigeminal nerve supplies sensation to face, and other parts of the head. According to Ayurveda, Vata – aggravating foods can cause and be responsible for this problem, so avoiding them and consuming a diet full of anti-oxidants, fats, and the food items that can balance the Vata Dosha will be very beneficial to manage Trigeminal Neuralgia.

DIET CHART FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

EARLY-MORNING

Luke warm water / Soaked almond -4 / Indian gooseberry -2 / Aloe Vera juice

BREAKFAST

Vegetable Poha (Rice flakes) / Vegetable Porridge (Dalia) / Vegetable Upma (Veg semolina) / Ragi chapatti (Finger millet) / Multigrain chapatti + Vegetable / Fresh Juice

MID-MORNING

Fruit juice / Fruit/ Herbal tea/Green tea

LUNCH

Chapatti / Multigrain Chapatti / Rice / Veg Pulao / Veg + Dal / Salad/ Non –veg (once in a week)

EVENING

Fruit/ Sprouts chat/ Rice flakes / Egg-1/ Soup/Veg or Non-veg (homemade)/ Roasted makhane (Foxnut)

DINNER

Chapatti / Multigrain Chapatti /Brown rice / Veg pulao / Veg + Dal

BED TIME

Skimmed milk+ A pinch of turmeric / 3-4 drops of Cow’s Ghee

DIET INSTRUCTIONS

CEREALS

Cereals to be consumed

Wheat, White rice, Brown rice, Sorghum, Amaranth, Finger millet, Foxtail millet, Pearl millet, Buckwheat, Little millet

Flour Ratio Wheat Atta (50%) + Soybean Atta (20%) + Ragi flour (30%)

Cereals to be avoided

Refined flour and its products

FRUITS

Fruits to be consumed

Apple, Banana, Water melon, Muskmelon, Avocado, Peaches, Pear, Coconut, Pomegranate, Litchi, Custard apple, Sapodilla, Blueberries.

Fruits to be avoided

Orange, Pineapple, Strawberries, Mangoes, Lime, Lemon

VEGETABLES

Vegetables to be consumed

Zucchini, Sweet potato, Pumpkin, Ginger, Celery, Red onion, Coriander, Radish, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Mushrooms, Spinach, Carrot, Fenugreek leaves, Potato, Yam, Bottle gourd, Beetroot, Turnip, Bitter gourd

Vegetables to be avoided

Tomatoes, Lemon, Peas, Okra, Eggplant, Cabbage, Capsicum, Bell pepper

PULSES

Pulses to be consumed

Green gram, Yellow lentils, Red lentils, Pigeon peas

Pulses to be avoided

Kidney beans, Black gram, Chickpeas, Green peas, Bengal gram, Broad beans

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Dairy Products to be consumed

Skimmed Milk, Tofu

Dairy Products to be avoided

Whole milk and cream, Full-fat yoghurt, Cream cheese, Condensed milk, Unpasteurized cheese and All Milk Products.

OILS

Oils to be consumed

Cow ghee, Sunflower oil, Canola oil, Olive oil, Mustard oil, Rice bran oil, Coconut oil

Oils to be avoided

Cream, Palm oil

SPICES

Spices to be consumed

Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Ginger, Pepper, Fennel, Cinnamon, Carom seeds, Thyme seeds, Turmeric, Bay leaves, Fenugreek seeds

Spices to be avoided

Red chilies, Green chilies, Cardamom, Cloves, Garlic

DRINKS

Drinks to be consumed

Coconut water, Homemade soups and juices, Herbal tea

Drinks to be avoided

Whole milk drinks, Cream based liqueurs, canned soup and packaged soup, Alcohol, Sweetened drinks, Squashes, Carbonated drinks

FLESH FOODS

Flesh Foods to be consumed

Egg white, Chicken

Flesh Foods to be avoided

Processed and fried meat, Red meat- (Beef, Lamb, Pork)

DRY-FRUITS / SEEDS

Dry Fruits to be consumed

Almond, Raisins, Walnut, Peanuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds.

Dry Fruits to be avoided

Cashew, Pistachio

SWEETENERS

Sweeteners to be consumed

Jaggery

Sweeteners to be avoided

White sugar, Refined Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners

OTHER FOODS

Other Foods to be consumed

Homemade only

Other Foods to be avoided

Bakery and Processed Foods, Fried Food, Junk Food, Pickles, Packed Soups, Frozen foods

HOME REMEDIES

• Almonds - Soaked almonds can be taken in morning or almond milk can be consumed.
• Turmeric - Add 1 tsp of turmeric in milk and consume it daily.
• Carrot juice - Drink carrot juice at least once in a day.
• Mulethi - Have 1/4th tsp. of mulethi with warm water.
• Pumpkin juice - Have 100 ml pumpkin juice daily.

DIET INSTRUCTIONS

• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid simple carbs and saturated and trans fats.
• Do not use refined sugar.
• Add foods from all food groups.
• Avoid consumption of packed foods.