Sugar, white flour, caffeine and rls.

A brief confession(LOL). I usually try to eat healthy and mostly I do but a few nights ago I was upset about something , got hold of a bag of yummy cookies and ate a bunch. With some coffee in the middle of the night,no less. The next day and night, my legs were worse, my whole body ached and I was generally miserable-mostly mad at myself. You'd think I would know better but we all have our weak moments. The lesson is it will be a long time before I want to feel that bad again over cookies! Hopefully.. I shouldn't have had a whole bag of cookies in my house to begin with! Feedback welcome.

[Joolsg]

It's so tempting to eat the forbidden fruit isn't it. I did something similar a couple of weeks ago. I had a glass of Sicilian red wine. It tasted divine. I was up all night with the legs. Ah well. At least we know our triggers.

[Raven123 in reply to Joolsg]

Red wine is loaded with histamines which is a trigger for rls.

[Hidden]

Yep, I'm all too familar with your plight! I try and eat healthy as well, but when you don't feel good about yourself/feel really down you really do need something comforting, don't you? Even though you know you will pay for it you don't care. I have these arguments with myself all the time. For me it starts in the fizzy drinks-aisle at the store. My conscience kicks in and says "wait! You know what'll happen if you get one". On the days when I care, it will win and I won't get one. But on days when I don't care, I win and get one. And on the days where I really don't care, I get something unhealthy to have with the cola.

There is a direct correlation between our mood and eating habits.

Stay healthy,

[kicinskil]

I was having trouble nodding off so decided to have some toast. haven't had bread for a month. Result - 2 hours sleep followed by horrible agitated feeling in mind and body. basically no sleep after 3.30pm. Looked at the packet, all sorts of e numbers!?

[wantmysleep]

I love all sorts of nuts, particularly cashew. Always have 1.3kg unsalted Costco cashews in my TV room. 6 months ago, I read about high oxalate food might trigger rls so I stopped completely. One evening a month ago, I was so tempted and had 2 big handfuls. That night, the attack was so severe that I would not touch cashews again for a long time. Probably nothing to do with cashews, but I won't risk it.

[2everett]

I've noticed a huge connection between food and RLS. I've read RLS is caused by inflammation. I looked up what causes inflammation and its anything which causes sugar in the body. I have to think about every mouthful and work out is it worth it.

[Hidden in reply to 2everett]

Hey, that's a good idea! "Is it worth it?" I'll try that. Thanks!

Although...when you're in a bad emotional state the mood completely takes over. It becomes way too strong to follow any rational thought. The thought might be there, but the mind couldn't care less about following it.

[2everett in reply to Hidden]

I make a dessert from frozen berries (enough for two days). If I'm in a rush I'll stew them in a saucepan. I add cinnamon and clove powder.

When they are cooked I sprinkle chia seeds, cocoa nibs, ground flaxseeds, chopped hazelnuts and coconut flakes. It's my version of a crumble. It's gorgeous and it satisfies my sugar cravings. Plus berries are recommended for Parkinson's.

[Hidden in reply to 2everett]

You're on the right track. Lots of good info online about eating anti-inflammatory foods. I have a list of antiiflammatory and inflammatory foods. I stick with it pretty well most of the time and it really helps a lot of health problems and how I feel. The glitch is when healthy food is turned unhealthy by the recipe. One of my favorite foods is avocado aand esp guacamole. But I only eat what I fix.

[Roos in reply to Hidden]

I've found that eating spinach (high in iron) every day really helps with RLS, it's a bit dull, but seems to work. You do have to eat quite a lot so its easier if it's cooked as it shrinks quite a bit. Also kale works, but doesn't shrink as well when cooked so you could try one of those trendy, but pretty foul kale smoothies!

[Hidden in reply to Roos]

I agree. I do eat a lot of greens since I mostly follow a plant-based diet (unless I'm cheating with cookies. Love the greens but have never gotten into smoothies. Wish I liked them better-good way to get lots of nutrition easily but I like to chew so fix mostly salads.

[Hidden in reply to Roos]

You're absolutely right about the spinach! I cooked a whole bagful down one night with some mushrooms and good seasonings as my complete supper and slept as though I had been drugged! The best night's sleep I had in years!!

Terra Firma

[maryenglund]

I can totally relate to the cookies for stress relief!! I started making my own cookies and freezing them. If I must have some now !! I just put a couple in the microwave. I make "healthy cookies" lol, they have good things like wheat germ, nuts and other things like that. ( of course a small amount of dark chocolate chips.) Definately butter and not margerine. I learned that it is the processed food that has a great impact on my restless legs. If you read the ingrediants on some of these store bought cookies and other comfort snack foods you will find you cannot pronounce a lot of the ingrediants. I am so happy to be able to eat cookies but I eat my own cookies because I know exactly what is in them.

[Hidden in reply to maryenglund]

Thanks, good idea, especially re freezing them so they aren't immediately available in large amts. Will work on a cookie recipe of my own to freeze.ave been doing the same thing for a flatbread that's healthy and gluten free that I make. I also like to know what's in my food.

[restlessinlondon]

I know that one of my triggers is alcohol but we moved recently and a friend brought round a bottle of bubbly - well it would be rude not to join in(!). But, oh, I regretted it that night!

[Hidden in reply to restlessinlondon]

Hi, restlessinlondon. I hear you. Just a humorous (wicked) thought I had reading your post. I'm not a big drinker but do like red wine with dinner. I don't drink anymore, however, because I don't want the after effects. HOWEVER, I am willing to endure one night of discomfort. I know politics is a volatile , button-pushing subject, but here goes: The senior highrise I live in has many "current US president supporters". I'm in the minority on this. So if he ever leaves-resigns, whatever as news rumors state, I am going to have a champagne party in my apt with select friends!!!!! Couldn't resist.LOL

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to Hidden]

I’ll join you in that celebration!

[ratfancy in reply to restlessinlondon]

I can't connect diet or caffiene to my experience of RLS, however alcohol! Wow - can't even have a glass of wine or any drink anymore! I was never much of an imbiber to begin with, but I absolutely cannot have alcohol in any form now.

[Retren]

Burma I don,t like chocolate as a rule but Cadbury had one I was not familiar with Lulu I think it was called so I had to try it knowing Inwould probably suffer and of course had the pain of the dammed as a result.It is tempting fate knowing the outcome.

[Hidden in reply to Retren]

Hi Retren. Me again. Re Cadbury. One of my alltime favorites (chocolate is my drug of choice) is Cadbury Raisin and Hazelnut chocolate bars. Have,t had one in a long time, but you've got me thinking. Hope I can continue to say no. They ARE good. I;ve never had a LuLu. Never seen that in the States.

[Retren]

Want my sleep strange you mentioned cashews ,last November I landed in the eme gen you room they eventually thought I had a stroke. However after innumerable tests I went home and ate a health bar with cashews which I had eaten prior to my trip to the hospital I had not eaten for 24hours,and promptly had another episode took a lot of anti histamine and it all subsided.naturally that made the RLS worse but what I concluded was an allergy attack was very unpleasant .Naturally am avoiding nuts soon there will be very few items left to eat and drink.

[Hidden in reply to Retren]

Hi Retren, I just surfed the net re cashew allergies. I'm sorry you had such a reaction. It sounded like something that happened out of the blue, and possibly eating nuts had not been a problem in the past. I did know that the reason cashews are never sold in the shells is because the shells contain a toxic resin called 'urushiol' which, when ingested, can be dangerous. What I didn't know-and found info on the following site<livestrong.com> ( one of my go-to sites) about how the poison-containing shell is removed from the nut. Apparently, they remove it with a heat/steaming process. My thought would be that perhaps not all companies pay attention to correct procedures and their 'hit or miss' technique doesn't remove all the resin. I don't know. I love cashews but I will pay attention to my buying source. Do you know if your cashews came from a different seller? Good luck on this.

[Retren]

Burma thank you for your information the cashews were in a supposed health bar you know the items you put into a lunch box for snacks .I have not eaten cashews for a long time .the number of things to avoid is monumental our lives are very restricted I don,t like flying as it is a nightmare and going to a film is mostly out as usually the condition will invariably strike and cause disturbance and of course whomsoever one is with thinks you are crazy unless they are a fellow sufferer.It is so difficult to get medication as one is rationed and afraid to run out before the refill time-life and it,s ups and downs.i am very impressed at your research skills.I can barely find my way on the iPad much to my son,s disgust.

[Retren]

Burma The Cadbury I usually buy for gifts I order from England the Cadbury in US is I think made by Hershey which does not taste the same.Although any chocolate contains caffeine even de caffeinated items have a small percentage.

[Hidden in reply to Retren]

Cadbury's chocolate is the best, but then i am bias. I havent heard of a Cadbury chocolate called Lulu. But my little dog is called lulu, wouldnt eat her though.

[Hidden in reply to Retren]

Thanks, Retren, Not that I need to eat much of it but I knew the Cadbury here didn't taste the same as I had in England. So I may order for the holidays from there. Cadbury fruit and nut bars are the best. I frequently look for food products from overseas because one problem here seems to me to be when an american food company gets hold of a healthy or good tasting product they somehow ruin it-probably with additives and preservative so it will have a shelf life of forever! Just my opinion. I believe that is one reason why we are so unhealthy and overweight over here. Our metabolism is messed up from too many artificial ingredients in our food to make it last so long. The almight dollar wins again.

[Retren]

Ellipse I am not sure the Cadbury is called Lulu it has Lu lu on the wrapping which sounds strange it is milk chocolate with a small square biscuit sandwiched every few squares. I don.t like chocolate as a rule but made a pig of my-self and suffered as a result.the Kit Kat I used to like because of the biscuit but again it is a trigger for RLS also when it is made here it is too sweet.Amazing when one thinks about how different countries flavor and package the same things to appeal to the clientel.

[Hidden]

I plan on being reunited with cadbury eggs, scones, clotted cream, crunchies, custard creams, and other unhealthy goodies while I'm there. 😁 I lived in Sussex when younger and, if there's one thing I remember, it's all this junk food! Touring the Cadbury factory was awesome!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'm envious Would LOVE to tour the Cadbury factory. Samples, samples, samples! Still getting uswd to my new computer so ignore typoa. Enjoy your trip-wish I were closer and could attend and meet you guys; maybe next time. Still love to travel-rgough uae a cane aomwtimes now. Acyually one of the perks of getting oeven though we can prepare somewhat, they are unpredictable and dangerous.lder- people give you seats, carry things for you, etc.LOL Jess, I'm keeping up with Harvey, don't think there has ever been a hurricane like this in the US. Still saying prayers for everybody. I've been thru several inmy life; Some I have ridden out instead of evacuating because years ago shelters wouldn't allow animals. So we all stayed together. but I think that's changing in a lot of places, tho we still have a ways to go on that issue. Have had some relatives I would leave before my animals. Probably not really but it would be a hardchoice. By now your neurology appt is probably over. Hope you prevailed.Let meknow. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Lol! Sorry, not having fun on your expense at all. Just lol! (You'll get there).

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'm really glad you like your computer. What kind did you say it was? A chrome tablet?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I just reread my post- terrible typos. I think it's time for a new eyeglass prescription. Will try to type better. Failed out of secretarial school. Took a typing class about a hundred years ago and didn't do too well there either. Thank God nurses didn't have to type.LOL' Back to rls. I've been eating chicken livers (UGH) for several weeks now plus foods high in iron; also taking a spoonful/day of unsulphured blackstrap molasses to try and raiseferritin levels without pills. Will have some new labwork drawn Sept 9th. If not high enough will add the ferrous bisglycinate to the mix; alsoplan to discuss iron infusions. Just thee liver (UGH again) and molasses have made my legs noticeably better so maybe iron will turn out to be a mainstay for me.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Eat your spinach! Cook it down so it's not so much to chew.