The Best Diets for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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You’re probably reading this because you or a loved one have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This is an illness that can be hard to diagnose and even harder to live with. Luckily, there are some great diets for chronic fatigue that can help those that live with chronic fatigue syndrome. We’ll discuss the best diet options below, but first let’s talk about what causes CFS.
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, which makes it difficult to treat and manage symptoms. One thing that doctors have noticed is that people who have been diagnosed with depression also seem more likely to develop CFS than those without depression – so if you think your mental health may affect your physical health, please reach out for help!
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What are the risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome?
This is a complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue and is not improved by bedrest. Strenuous physical activities or excessive mental exertion may even worsen it.
A study based on the data from the Swedish Twin Registry shows that stress is a triggering factor for the said fatigue syndrome.
Researchers at Karolinska Institute have found that stress is a significant risk factor for chronic fatigue-like illness, genetic influences may buffer the effect.
These disorders might reflect the brain’s inability to adapt or compensate in response to challenge, leading toward maladaptive responses and ultimately disease.
Other studies made on over 19,000 twins born in Sweden revealed that emotional instability was linked to a 72% higher risk of CFS symptoms. Emotional instability is a personality trait and results in low self-esteem and feelings of anxiety, depression, and guilt.
What are some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?
It is perfectly normal to feel tired after strenuous physical activity, and usually, after a short period of rest, you should feel well recovered.
However, if you felt tired for seemingly no reason at all and the feeling of exhaustion persists, visit your doctor in case you are exhibiting signs of chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS.
For instance, headache, sore throat, muscle aches and joint pain are some common symptoms. Other symptoms include brain fog, impaired concentration or memory, irritable bowel issues and feeling unrested after adequate periods of sleep.
There is no cure or treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. The best practice to conquer chronic fatigue syndrome is to strengthen your immune system by regularly taking vitamins, exercising, and resting as needed.
My friend Michelle at Divas with a Purpose shares what it is like for her to live with chronic fatigue syndrome.
“Chronic fatigue has changed how I do everything in my life. My family and I are still adjusting to my diagnosis and learning my limitations. It’s hard. And there are days I get extremely frustrated and upset with my body. After dealing with depression and long-term COVID symptoms, this diagnosis just seemed like another way I was falling apart mentally and physically at 40 years old.”
It hurts when I have to say no to going to the park with my daughter or taking the quick road trips my family loves because I’m absolutely exhausted from doing nothing. I’m typically a positive person, so I’ve been working to look on the bright side. It’s not easy at this point, but for my overall mental wellbeing I have to. It’s the extra cuddles with my daughter, the back rubs from my husband and the long talks with my sons while I’m resting that are my rainbow during this storm. While I work to find my new normal, I’ll take those moments when I can to help carry me through.”
What are the best diets for chronic fatigue syndrome?
While there are no known treatment and cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, there are diet changes you can make to help. It can be difficult at first to come up with a diet that works for you. Talk to your doctor before you change your diet.
Here are 5 foods to avoid in diets for chronic fatigue syndrome:
- Caffeine
When we feel low on energy and sluggish, an immediate reaction is to reach for a caffeinated drink. This is only a temporary fix and when you crash, it can make your symptoms worse. Caffeine can also affect your sleep schedule that is already not the best.
2. Added Sugar
We should all watch our sugar intake at all times. The problem with added sugar in your diets for chronic fatigue is that just like with caffeine, it only gives you a temporary rush of energy. Did you know that sugar promotes inflammation in our bodies? Inflammation can cause pain from other medical conditions you may live with, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Fried Foods
Fried foods are bad for us. We know that a lot of fried foods are bad for our heart. There are a lot of foods we love that are fried. A great alternative to giving up these foods all together is to bake them or air fry them.
I love my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 grill for this. I can grill, roast, bake, air fry, and dehydrate my food quickly and easily in the house now. I can cook a lot of food via an air fry method.
4. White Rice and Pasta
White rice and pasta are made are considered refined foods. When you eat them, you get an energy spike similar to when you consume sugar. The crash is hard though. I love pasta so this one is hard for me. I notice the crash after eating it and it affecting my chronic fatigue symptoms.
High-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help with your blood-sugar levels better.
5. Hydrogenated Oils
It’s hard to avoid these oils, which can be found in margarine, candy bars, cake mixes, processed foods. Hydrogenated oils promote inflammation in the body that can worsen your CFS symptoms. When you can, make food from scratch and not use processed foods.
The bottom line is that you need to change how and what you eat. It’s not just about the quantity of food, it’s also about quality. If your diet consists mainly of processed foods with little or no nutritional value, then there are probably some changes that need to be made in order for chronic fatigue syndrome patients to get better. A balanced diet will help improve health and wellness by providing the body with a wide range of nutrients which can aid in recovery from any illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome.
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