Eating for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Last Update: August 12, 2008

Video By: LIVESTRONG.COM

Chronic fatigue syndrome can make you tired and lethargic. Learn some healthy eating choices to bring up your mood in this video.

Take Action

  • Eat fruits and vegetables
  • Eat complex carbohydrates
  • Eat well balanced meals

About this Author

Alice Merritt is currently the Campus Dietitian at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She has a masters degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in public health with a concentration on nutrition. Alice has worked as a registered dietician for four years, and believes that helping people reach their nutritional goals will lead to a long and healthy life.

Member Comments

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by mickeefynn on December 16, 2008 at 7:29 AM

There is no mention here of the need for protein. I find when I rely on even complex carbs, my level of fatigue becomes much worse. Protein sources such as eggs and lean meats as well as using powdered protein supplement help to boost my energy levels as well as improve my mood. I also have to avoid foods containing lactose and life improves greatly. mickeefynn

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by gilze on January 7, 2009 at 10:12 AM

This focuses on fatigue. As a patient for more than 20 years. This disease is about so much more than fatigue. It is about being ill in so many ways. This report is generalized and could work for any fatigue. It is not addressing CFS as a serious illness. As a sufferer I find it condescending and lacking in substance and understanding of the illness. Shallow words which don't mean much

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by cinnamonkiss on April 22, 2009 at 5:09 AM

the info here is wrong, it is not feeling low energy, tired, it is a weakness, a fatigue so profound that is exclusive to a disease state. If it was just feeling really tired, I'd drink alot of coffee, take vitamins and excercise, I got it from having lyme disease 4.5 years ago. I couldn't ever really get better, though I was treated for the lyme. go to www.cfids.org and see what it is really about.

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Video Transcript

ALICE MERRITT: Now I am going to talk to you about chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a syndrome that affects people and makes them feel very tired and very lethargic. Healthy food choices that can boost your mood and help you feel less tired are eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Make sure you drink plenty of water. And also eat complex carbohydrates, things like whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta. And oftentimes if you are feeling very lethargic and tired, your appetite maybe decreased. But it is still important to eat regular balanced meals every three to four hours and making sure that you do not skip meals because when you skip meals you can actually have a drop in blood sugar and that can increase your fatigue and tiredness. Important things to remember about chronic fatigue syndrome is you want to limit the intake of high fat foods and high sugary foods. These things can actually make you feel more tired in the long run. Also, it seems it would make sense if you are tired to drink a lot of caffeine but actually you can feel awake from caffeine and then heavily fatigued later. Other things that you should eat when you have chronic fatigue is remember to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, things that are higher in fiber and definitely make sure you drink plenty of water to keep from being dehydrated. These are some important things to remember if you have chronic fatigue syndrome.

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