Balanced diet?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:54 pm
A few related questions about a balanced diet:
It is common to see advice that people with CFS should give up/cut down on certain foods, notably gluten and dairy, but also many other products such as yeast extract, sugar and caffeine. Few of the sources that recommend dietary changes explain the reasons why, but I get the impression that they are mainly aimed at resolving digestive problems?
1) I am fortunate to not suffer from digestive problems and have also tested clear for coeliac disease. I have tried cutting down on gluten and have replaced wheat with other carbohydrates. I also use spelt and other flours in place of wheat flour when cooking from scratch. I have not noticed any particular difference when I eat or avoid gluten, so can I safely include gluten in my diet or is it potentially problematic for my CFS even though I do not have digestive issues?
2) I have cut down on (processed) sugar and caffeine as I imagine that these artificial 'boosts' to energy are not helpful. When I do have sugar (fruit or processed sugars), I try to have it at the end of a meal/with other foodstuffs, to avoid a 'spike' in my blood sugar levels. Is this sensible or misguided?
3) Dietary supplements are commonly recommended but I prefer to get my nutrients naturally as far as possible. I would like to think that a broad and balanced diet would give my body everything it needs to support my recovery. Is this a reasonable assumption or are there certain nutrients that are particularly necessary for people with CFS that are not easily accessed through a balanced diet? (Note, I am vegetarian, so do not eat meat or fish, though I do eat eggs and dairy. My main protein sources are eggs, lentils, soya, Quorn, dairy, nuts).
4) As a cheese-loving vegetarian and a fan of Marmite, it would be hard for me to cut out dairy and yeast products. Again, is the reason for cutting these digestive, or are there other reasons? Can I safely continue to include them in my diet?
Thanks.
It is common to see advice that people with CFS should give up/cut down on certain foods, notably gluten and dairy, but also many other products such as yeast extract, sugar and caffeine. Few of the sources that recommend dietary changes explain the reasons why, but I get the impression that they are mainly aimed at resolving digestive problems?
1) I am fortunate to not suffer from digestive problems and have also tested clear for coeliac disease. I have tried cutting down on gluten and have replaced wheat with other carbohydrates. I also use spelt and other flours in place of wheat flour when cooking from scratch. I have not noticed any particular difference when I eat or avoid gluten, so can I safely include gluten in my diet or is it potentially problematic for my CFS even though I do not have digestive issues?
2) I have cut down on (processed) sugar and caffeine as I imagine that these artificial 'boosts' to energy are not helpful. When I do have sugar (fruit or processed sugars), I try to have it at the end of a meal/with other foodstuffs, to avoid a 'spike' in my blood sugar levels. Is this sensible or misguided?
3) Dietary supplements are commonly recommended but I prefer to get my nutrients naturally as far as possible. I would like to think that a broad and balanced diet would give my body everything it needs to support my recovery. Is this a reasonable assumption or are there certain nutrients that are particularly necessary for people with CFS that are not easily accessed through a balanced diet? (Note, I am vegetarian, so do not eat meat or fish, though I do eat eggs and dairy. My main protein sources are eggs, lentils, soya, Quorn, dairy, nuts).
4) As a cheese-loving vegetarian and a fan of Marmite, it would be hard for me to cut out dairy and yeast products. Again, is the reason for cutting these digestive, or are there other reasons? Can I safely continue to include them in my diet?
Thanks.