When you have Sjögren’s disease, your immune system attacks certain cells as if they were dangerous invaders. These attacks trigger widespread inflammation, which can be harmful if it persists.

Some people may be able to ease chronic inflammation and other symptoms of Sjögren’s disease by avoiding inflammatory or irritating foods. Read on to discover which foods to consider limiting or avoiding completely if you have Sjögren’s.

1. Trans Fats

Trans fats are found in many fried and processed foods, as well as some natural meat and dairy products. Trans fats have been shown to increase inflammation in animal studies, including the digestive tract. By limiting your intake of trans fats, you may reduce inflammation and improve not only your Sjögren’s disease symptoms, but also your overall heart health.

If a fatty substance like oil is solid at room temperature, has a long shelf life, or was commercially fried, there’s a good chance it contains trans fat.

Limit or avoid these foods to minimize trans fats in your diet:

• Stick margarine
• Shortening
• Commercially baked cookies, cakes, muffins, or pies
• Refrigerated dough, such as canned biscuits
• Frozen pizza or pizza dough
• Nondairy coffee creamer (i.e., shelf-stable single servings)
• Packaged popcorn and other processed foods
• Fried foods like french fries and doughnuts
• Red meat, like beef and lamb

When cooking, consider recipes that use unsaturated fats, which tend to be liquid at room temperature. For instance, you might use olive oil and other seed oils in place of butter, shortening, or margarine. Unsaturated fats are considered “healthy fats.”

2. Saturated Fats

Saturated fats may also be linked to an increase in inflammation. Some foods that contain saturated fats, like processed meat, may be related to other health conditions like cancer and heart disease. They’re mainly found in animal products, but some plant foods contain saturated fat as well.

Limit your consumption of foods high in saturated fat, especially the processed ones, to protect your body from inflammation. Or consider looking for low-fat versions of these products for a healthier alternative, such as lean beef or 1 percent milk. Common sources of saturated fats include:

• Fatty cuts of beef
• Lamb
• Pork
• Chicken skin
• Bacon
• Cured meats
• Hot dogs
• Pepperoni, sausage, and other processed meats
• Milk
• Cream
• Butter
• Cheese
• Palm kernel oil

• Coconut

3. Acidic Foods

When your mouth is dry and sore, acidic foods may sting. They can also trigger acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), conditions that are common among people living with Sjögren’s disease.

Some people may also experience dental problems from eating too many acidic foods. Saliva normally helps to dilute acid, which helps prevent tooth decay. People with Sjögren’s disease often don’t produce enough saliva, so they don’t benefit from this natural buffer.

Acidic foods and drinks include:

• Citrus fruits and juices (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes)
• Tomatoes, tomato sauce, salsa, and other tomato-based products
• Onions
• Garlic
• Coffee
• Soda
• Artificial sweeteners

4. Processed Meats

Processed meats may contribute to inflammation due to more than just saturated fat. They also contain preservatives and other food additives that affect the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut. This can lead to inflammation in the intestinal tract, which may worsen issues like GERD in people with Sjögren’s.

Processed meat is also high in nitrates, which may increase the risk of stomach cancer. Additionally, processed meat is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular (heart) disease and colorectal cancer. Harvard Health calls processed meats some of the “least healthy foods you can eat.”

Processed meats include:

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Ham
• Hot dogs
• Salami
• Pepperoni
• Deli meat/lunch meat
• Roast beef
• Pastrami
• Corned beef
• Bratwurst

5. Added Sugar and Simple Carbohydrates

Excess sugar is linked to an increased risk of inflammation, so limiting this nutrient is an essential part of an anti-inflammatory or Sjögren’s-friendly diet.

But there’s another good reason to avoid sugar — especially the refined, simple sugars (carbohydrates) that are added to foods and drinks and easy to digest. These quickly enter the bloodstream and cause a spike in blood glucose, which you might feel as a burst of energy. However, when that sugar level decreases and leaves the bloodstream, you’ll feel an energy slump. Fatigue is a common symptom of Sjögren’s disease, and refined sugar could be making it worse.

There are no official sugar intake guidelines for people with Sjögren’s disease, so consider following the American Heart Association’s limits:

• Males — Maximum of 36 grams (150 calories) added sugar per day
• Females — Maximum of 25 grams (100 calories) added sugar per day

Many processed or packaged foods contain way more sugar than you might expect. This is called added sugar. To avoid added sugar, you’ll need to become a savvy shopper. Read the nutritional label on any processed food to find out its added sugar content.

Here’s a quick list of foods that often have excess or added sugar:

• Cookies, cakes, pastries, brownies, and other baked goods
• Breakfast cereals
• Soda
• Sports drinks
• Flavored yogurt
• Candy
• White bread, white pasta, and white rice
• Syrups, condiments, and salad dressings
• Granola bars
• Crackers

That said, not all sugar is bad sugar. Focus on eating complex carbohydrates, which take a while for the body to turn into sugar molecules that are small enough to enter the bloodstream. This stabilizes your blood sugar levels and gives you more consistent energy throughout the day.

6. Hot Foods and Beverages

Hot beverages, piping-hot soups, or fresh-from-the-oven pizza can irritate a sore, dry mouth. Allow any hot food or drink to cool to room temperature before enjoying.

Because cooler temperatures tend to soothe a dry mouth, consider swapping your hot coffee or tea for iced versions or enjoying cold soups and smoothies.

7. Rough or Dry Foods

Foods with rough textures may irritate sore spots in your mouth or throat. Dry, tough, stringy, or sticky foods may feel impossible to chew or swallow when you don’t produce enough saliva. Stay away from these foods, cut them into smaller pieces, or pair them with a hydrating complement like unsweetened yogurt.

• Bread
• Rice cakes
• Hard cheese
• Beef jerky
• Crackers or pretzels
• Potato chips
• Fruit or vegetable skins
• Dried fruit
• Raw vegetables
• Granola or muesli
• Nuts

Track Your Meals for Unique Insights

Keep a food diary to uncover Sjögren’s disease triggers that are unique to you. Include as much detail as possible, right down to the spice. You may find that your symptoms tend to get better or worse after eating certain foods, or that you’re unable to chew and swallow certain textures.

If you have any questions about creating a balanced diet, work with a registered dietitian. They can help you come up with a plan to consume plenty of nutrients while avoiding inflammatory trigger foods. Talk to your Sjögren’s specialist for a referral to a dietitian if you’d like to meet with one.

Join the Conversation

On MySjögrensTeam, people share their experiences with Sjögren’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Which foods tend to worsen your Sjögren’s disease symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.