healthy diet habits to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

It is quite natural to feel physically or mentally exhausted after a working day or after your extra effort into your normal routine. But if the exhaustion or fatigue lasts for more than 6 months and you see no improvement even with a proper bed rest or worsens after mental effort or physical exercise, you may be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The symptoms could be severe headaches, muscle pain, insomnia, impaired mental concentration, sore throat, painful lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal problems like constipation, nausea, bloating, and sensitivity to noise, light, certain foods as well as alcohol. Book an online doctor appointment in Bangalore with Cureplus. 

Like any other health problem, chronic fatigue syndrome can be curbed with lifestyle and diet changes.

Here are some of the healthy diet habits to overcome CFS – chronic fatigue syndrome:

1.      Break-up with inflammatory foods

Inflammation seems to play a crucial role in chronic fatigue, try including anti-inflammatory foods such as olive oil and fish. Ditch inflammatory foods from your diet like fried foods, sugar, and processed meat.

2.      Drink plenty of water

Water isn’t a cure to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome, but dehydration can make fatigue worse. Drinking plenty of water is important for maintaining good health.

3.      Limit caffeine consumption

Though caffeine appears to be a great way to boost your energy, it brings along wide-range of consequences. Caffeine may give you punch of energy after a cup of coffee, but your energy level drops down once its effects wear off. A little bit of caffeine may be fine, but make sure you don’t overexert yourself and it doesn’t impact your sleep.

4.      Pay attention to sugar

We all reach to sugary foods when feeling tired or exhausted. No doubt, sugar gives a spike of energy when you consume it, but then your energy level crash afterward leaving you more tired. Instead of choosing foods with refined sugars, eat naturally sweet foods with a bit of protein to balance your blood sugar as well energy levels.

5.      Skip fried foods

Studies suggest that when foods are fried in oil at such a high temperature then harmful free radicals are produced in them. When we ingest these free radicals, they may lead to inflammation in the body, and trigger chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. Go with baked or broiled dishes instead of gorging on fried foods.

6.      Avoid processed foods

Heavily processed foods can also spike up your energy as well as blood sugar levels just like sugar or caffeine and these foods come with fewer nutrients than their whole food counterpart. Balance your blood sugar levels by loading up on a fiber-rich plant-based diet such as fruits, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables.