Don’t let your Multiple Sclerosis keep you from enjoying a night out on the town and dining out with friends and family. These five tips will help you maintain your healthy diet and manage your MS fatigue while still enjoying a nice dinner out.
Check out the menu before going
Most restaurants put their menus online, so read them over before you decide on a place. Pick one that has a lot of MS-friendly dining options so that you aren’t limited to a few select items.
Look for dishes with a lot of greenery, like spinach and kale salads. These leafy greens are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, which are great for maintaining your strength and energy.
Salmon is also a great menu item to keep a lookout for. Although pricey, it can be worth it as the fish is packed with Vitamin B and Vitamin D to help strengthen bones and your immune system.
Make reservations
Calling ahead and making reservations is always a good idea if the restaurant is popular or gets particularly crowded during certain times of the day.
However, if you have special needs, need specific seating arrangements, or must have your food prepared a certain way, it is best to call ahead, speak with the manager, and negotiate a comfortable and appropriate dining time.
This will help you avoid long waits and complications when you arrive and will ensure that you stay as comfortable as possible during the excursion.
Get the best seats in the house
When you call ahead to make a reservation, go ahead and request specific seating arrangements. You can ask to sit away from the kitchen to avoid the heat and aromas that may provoke your symptoms.
If the weather is comfortable and permitting, you can ask to sit outdoors in order to avoid the cold and hot fluctuations that are common in restaurants and can also influence your outbreaks.
If you are in a wheelchair or require a special seat, this can also be arranged by calling ahead and insuring that you will be comfortably accommodated.
Go out with a group
Don’t be afraid to cause a scene and go out with a large group of family and friends. Not only will this be entertaining but it will also help you. If you have limited mobility, can’t or don’t want to drive, or are worried about an unsolicited symptom outbreak, having more than a few hands on deck will ensure that you are comfortable and taken care of.
With a large support system out with you, your stress and anxiety should be at a minimum. This way, you can have more fun and enjoy yourself without worrying about your symptoms.
Go out at a comfortable time
Timing is a key factor in staying comfortable when you go out. If fatigue is a symptom of yours, you don’t necessarily have to stay up late and eat dinner. Brunch and lunch are acceptable dining out options that can bring your loved ones together without the worry of fatigue or discomfort disrupting the plans.
If you have limited mobility and aren’t comfortable in large crowds, avoid going to the restaurant at hours that are sure to be a crush. Get to the restaurant an hour before noon or a couple of hours before 7 to avoid big crowds.
While this is a night (or afternoon) out on the town with friends and family, don’t over-indulge. You should avoid certain foods, such as alcohol and junk foods, which may exacerbate your symptoms. Stick to a healthy menu, avoid sugary sweets, and reserve yourself and your companions the coziest seats in order to ensure that you have the best and most comfortable experience when dining out with MS.
Having MS should not prevent you from enjoying yourself and living your life. MS does not define your life; live symptom free, even with MS.