MSBites

Mona Bostick RDN, LDN, MSCS

Living with MS is challenging enough without turning mealtime into an overwhelming obstacle course of dos and don'ts. Am I right? Here's the thing: we live in a challenging information environment where people with MS have become a marketing demographic. The wellness industry exists to sell us products, services, and diets promising to heal, beat, or reverse this complex disease we live with. To put it bluntly, we all have targets on our backs. I'm Mona - a registered dietitian, MS Certified Specialist, and someone who's been living with MS since 2008. I get it. I know what it feels like when that diagnosis blows up your life, when MS shows up uninvited to disrupt plans big and small, and when every day feels like a different new normal. I created MSBites because the loudest voices discussing nutrition and MS often promote "alternative approaches," while the conventional nutrition perspective has been notably absent from the conversation. Until now. On MSBites, I bring context, clarity, and compassionate skepticism to help you distinguish reliable information from wellness woo. We'll explore the science of nutrition and MS, bust myths, answer your questions, and share practical tips to help you eat well - without fear that you're doing it "wrong." My mission? Unbiased, engaging conversations about nutrition and MS that help you make informed decisions, free from fear, confusion, or overwhelm. Let's take the overwhelm out of eating with MS. One bite at a time.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Exercise + Nutrition: A Powerful Pair for Living Well with MS

    Click Here to ask your MS Nutrition questions, anonymously if you prefer. In this episode of MS Bites, I’m joined by Dr. Rob Motl, a leading exercise scientist and professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois Chicago, for a conversation about the powerful connection between food, movement, fatigue, cognition, comorbidities, and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Many of us with MS are told to “eat well and exercise,” but what does that actually mean when we’re dealing with MS fatigue, mobility changes, cognitive symptoms, unpredictable energy, or diet advice that feels restrictive and confusing? Dr. Motl explains why exercise does not need to be extreme to be beneficial, how starting small can help the body adapt, and why even a few minutes of movement may support fatigue, mood, thinking, walking, and daily function. We also talk about why no specific diet has been proven to cure, reverse, or stop MS progression, but nutrition still matters deeply. A generally healthy, sustainable eating pattern can help fuel movement, support recovery, protect muscle and bone, and help prevent or manage common MS comorbidities like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. This conversation is a practical, compassionate look at exercise and nutrition for people living with MS—without fear, shame, or unrealistic promises. We discuss why rest is productive, why some movement is better than none, and why food and exercise matter even if they don’t make MS go away. If you’re living with multiple sclerosis and wondering how to move, eat, and feel better today, this episode is for you. About my guest  Dr. Robert Motl is a professor whose research focuses on physical activity in people with neurological conditions, particularly MS — how it's measured, what predicts it, and what it actually does. His foundational work has shown how physical activity benefits brain structure, cognition, depression, fatigue, walking, and quality of life in MS, and how to help people become and stay active. His research also extends to conditions like spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease.  To learn more about his studies that are currently recruiting participants, visit https://enrl.ahs.uic.edu/projects/participate/ To stay up to date on the latest research on exercise for MS, visit http://linkedin.com/company/exerciseforms Resources Mentioned Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis   https://csepguidelines.ca/guidelines/multiple-sclerosis/ Let's connect! MSBites.com Instagram Facebook

    Exercise + Nutrition: A Powerful Pair for Living Well with MS
  2. 10/22/2025

    Can Multiple Sclerosis Be Treated Naturally?

    Click Here to ask your MS Nutrition questions, anonymously if you prefer. In this episode, we tackle a hotly debated question: Can multiple sclerosis be treated naturally? Join me as we break down what "natural treatment" really means, explore the role of diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes, and discuss how these strategies can complement conventional care. We’ll dive into the science, debunk some myths, and talk about how to approach your MS care plan. Whether you’re curious about a specific natural remedy, tired of conflicting advice, or just looking for ways to feel your best, this episode has something for you. Quick disclaimer: I’m a registered dietitian and I also live with MS. I’m bringing you research, clinical perspective, and lived experience—but this is education, not medical advice. Please talk to your neurologist or healthcare team before changing your treatment plan. Highlights: 00:49 Can MS Be Treated Naturally? 01:05 Understanding Treatment Goals 03:30 Why Seek Alternatives to Conventional Therapies? 08:09 Conventional MS Treatments: Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) 12:39 Natural Therapies: Supplements and Nutrition 19:59 Natural Therapies: Exercise and Mind-Body Practices 22:39 The Role of Diet in MS Management 28:23 Risks of Natural Therapies 33:29 Combining Conventional and Natural Approaches 35:48 Conclusion and Action Steps Listen now to learn how to make informed, balanced decisions about managing your MS—and why you don’t have to choose between natural therapies and conventional DMTs. Resource mentioned in the episode NMSS Diet info https://www.nationalmssociety.org/managing-ms/living-with-ms/diet-exercise-and-healthy-behaviors/diet-nutrition Let's connect! MSBites.com Instagram Facebook

About

Living with MS is challenging enough without turning mealtime into an overwhelming obstacle course of dos and don'ts. Am I right? Here's the thing: we live in a challenging information environment where people with MS have become a marketing demographic. The wellness industry exists to sell us products, services, and diets promising to heal, beat, or reverse this complex disease we live with. To put it bluntly, we all have targets on our backs. I'm Mona - a registered dietitian, MS Certified Specialist, and someone who's been living with MS since 2008. I get it. I know what it feels like when that diagnosis blows up your life, when MS shows up uninvited to disrupt plans big and small, and when every day feels like a different new normal. I created MSBites because the loudest voices discussing nutrition and MS often promote "alternative approaches," while the conventional nutrition perspective has been notably absent from the conversation. Until now. On MSBites, I bring context, clarity, and compassionate skepticism to help you distinguish reliable information from wellness woo. We'll explore the science of nutrition and MS, bust myths, answer your questions, and share practical tips to help you eat well - without fear that you're doing it "wrong." My mission? Unbiased, engaging conversations about nutrition and MS that help you make informed decisions, free from fear, confusion, or overwhelm. Let's take the overwhelm out of eating with MS. One bite at a time.