A lupus diet prioritizes the intake of foods that are rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin D and omega 3. These are nutrients with naturally antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action that can help to reduce inflammation and prevent possible complications of the disease, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and diabetes.

When maintaining a lupus diet, it is also important to consume probiotic foods, such as natural yogurt and kefir, which help to keep the intestinal flora healthy and manage inflammation. These foods can reduce lupus symptoms, like excessive fatigue, muscle aches and joint pain.

A lupus diet should limit the intake of sugary foods, like soft drinks, cake, and ice cream and fatty foods, like fried foods, cookies and pizzas. These foods promote inflammation in the body, and can lead to worsening of lupus symptoms and related complications.

What to eat

The main foods that should be prioritized during a lupus diet are:

Whole grains, such as brown rice, corn, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta and oats
Fresh fruits, such as strawberries, watermelon, cherries, blackberries, grapes, oranges and pomegranates
Vegetables, such as onions, tomatoes, arugula, zucchini and ginger
Healthy fats, such as flaxseed, olive oil, Brazil nuts and walnuts
Lean proteins, such as chicken, eggs, turkey, tofu and fish, such as salmon, sardines
Natural herbs, such as basil, mint, parsley, coriander, thyme and rosemary
Condiments, such as turmeric, pepper, cumin, cinnamon and curry
Low-fat dairy products, such as skimmed milk and yogurt, ricotta and cottage cheese
Natural, unsweetened teas such as green tea, mint, ginger and lemon balm.

Probiotic foods, such as natural yogurt, kefir and kombucha, can also be beneficial, as they keep intestinal flora healthy and boost immunity.

What to avoid

When maintaining a lupus diet, you should avoid foods that are high in sugar and refined flours, such as candy, white bread, white pasta, jellies, ice cream, cakes and puddings. These foods can promote weight gain, obesity and diabetes.

During a lupus diet, it is also important to avoid high fat foods, like fried foods, fast food meals, packaged snacks and red meat, as these foods can affect normal immune system functioning and worsen lupus symptoms. Consistent consumption can lead to complications, like heart disease and kidney disease.

Alfalfa sprouts and mung beans should also be avoided because these foods contain high amounts of L-canavanine, an amino acid that can overwhelm the immune system and worsen lupus symptoms.

Meal plan for lupus

The following table outlines a sample of a 3-day meal plan for a lupus diet:

Meal	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Breakfast	1 glass of cherry juice with 1 cm of ginger + 1 slice of whole grain bread with 1 tablespoon of cottage cheese	1 cup of unsweetened mint tea + 1 tapioca made with 3 tablespoons of hydrated tapioca, 1 tablespoon of chia, linseed and sesame seeds and 2 slices of ricotta cheese + 3 strawberries	1 cup of ginger tea + 1 whole grain French bun with 2 slices of white cheese + 1 pear
Morning snack	4 tablespoons of chopped avocado with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 walnuts	200g low-fat natural yogurt with 1 tablespoon of rolled oats and 1 chopped banana	1 red apple baked with cinnamon + 1 Brazil nut
Lunch	3 tablespoons of brown rice, 3 tablespoons of beans, 1 chicken thigh stewed with 3 tablespoons of okra, 1 side plate of lettuce, arugula, watercress and tomato salad, seasoned with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 orange	1 cup of whole wheat pasta with homemade tomato sauce + 200 g of grilled tofu + 4 tablespoons of red pepper, zucchini, red onion and garlic roasted in the oven with 1 drizzle of olive oil + 1 persimmon	3 tablespoons of brown rice + 1 piece of roasted salmon + 2 tablespoons of black-eyed pea salad + 1 side plate of raw grated cabbage and carrot salad, seasoned with 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 kiwi
Afternoon snack	1 smoothie made with 150 ml of skim milk or plant-based milk (rice, oat or soy) and 1/2 red apple with skin	1 bowl of porridge made with 2 tablespoons of oat flour, 200 ml of skim milk or plant-based milk and 1 pinch of cinnamon powder	1 serving of low-fat natural yogurt with 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds and 4 purple grapes
Dinner	1 serving of pureed vegetable soup made with pumpkin, leek, onion and olive oil + 1 slice of whole grain bread + 1 peach	1 serving of vegetable soup, made with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots and zucchini, seasoned with garlic, onion, turmeric and olive oil + 1 slice of melon	1 side plate of zucchini and carrot noodles with homemade tomato sauce + grilled chicken breast fillet + salad with lettuce, tomato and onion with 1 tablespoon of olive oil + 1 slice of watermelon

This meal plan is just an example of a lupus diet meal plan, as day-to-day meal plans may vary depending to the person's general health, weight, age and personal preferences. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a registered dietitian for a complete assessment and an individualized meal plan.

Supplements for lupus

Lupus patients who present with nutritional deficiencies may be prescribed dietary supplements by a doctor or registered dietitian to help manage inflammation. The most common supplements for lupus include vitamin D and omega-3, which dosing and frequency indicated by a health care professional.