MSBites cover art

MSBites

MSBites

Written by: Mona Bostick RDN LDN MSCS
Listen for free

About this listen

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.

© 2025 MSBites Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Reclaiming Holiday Food Joy with MS: From Grief to Gratitude

    Reclaiming Holiday Food Joy with MS: From Grief to Gratitude
    Nov 5 2025

    Forget diet rules and wellness culture — this holiday episode is for anyone navigating the season with MS. We’re diving into what it really takes to show up at the holiday table: the energy math, the grief of changing traditions, and the radical permission and flexibility to choose joy over restriction. From managing food choices during flares to dealing with unsolicited health advice at dinner, this is your no-shame, all-heart guide to reclaiming the holidays on your terms.

    ✨ Featuring stories, strategies, and a fierce takedown of diet culture — with room for Aunt Martha’s stuffing and your store-bought pie.

    Read more about the MS tax here.

    00:00 Introduction: Energy Management and Chronic Illness

    01:08 Welcome to the MS Bites Podcast

    01:44 Navigating Holiday Challenges with MS

    04:05 The Reality of Diet Culture and MS

    05:43 Choosing Joy Over Restriction

    13:32 Adapting Holiday Traditions

    20:02 Managing Family Conversations

    23:34 Permission to Celebrate Differently

    26:13 Gratitude and Small Victories

    29:04 Conclusion: Embracing the Holidays with MS

    Click here to ask me a question or suggest a topic for a future episode!

    Let's connect!

    MSBites.com

    Instagram

    Threads

    Bluesky

    Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Can Multiple Sclerosis Be Treated Naturally?

    Can Multiple Sclerosis Be Treated Naturally?
    Oct 22 2025

    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

    Click here to ask me a question or suggest a topic for a future episode!

    Let's connect!

    MSBites.com

    Instagram

    Threads

    Bluesky

    Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Is gluten really the villain it's made out to be?

    Is gluten really the villain it's made out to be?
    Oct 8 2025

    Is gluten really the villain it's made out to be? In this episode, I will dive deep into the science behind gluten - what it actually is, who truly needs to avoid it, and whether people with multiple sclerosis should be concerned. We'll explore the difference between celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, debunk common myths about gluten being universally inflammatory, and examine what the research actually says about gluten and MS.

    Resources mentioned

    ConsumerLab.com

    (Temperley et al., 2023)


    Click here to ask me a question or suggest a topic for a future episode!

    Let's connect!

    MSBites.com

    Instagram

    Threads

    Bluesky

    Facebook
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
No reviews yet