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Diet

Wed, 04/06/2008 - 3:12pm — vic

Hi there,
This is my first time on this forum!

I have had CFS/ME for over 21 years now and have been bedridden and housebound for a lot of that time, but have slowly come up over the years to a level where I'm able to cycle for several kilometers sometimes. Before I go any further I don't want to scare any of you out there that have CFS for only a few years, it doesn't mean your going to end up like me and there is a good chance you will recover soon and get on with your lives, just make sure you don't do anything silly like try to push yourself, drink alcohol, etc. Anyway over the years I have tried various diets - all of them restrictive with limited results. These strict diets can drive you nuts! I'm a bit more flexible with my diet now. What I want to ask is there anybody out there that knows what sort of foods CFS suffers - generally - should avoid? Or any ideas on diet would be appreciated?

Take care all and thank you.

Vic. Eye-wink

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Thu, 12/06/2008 - 3:17pm — Amy B

Diet

Hi Vic,

Sorry I haven’t got back to you before now, I’ve been a bit busy lately. The thing that I have heard most often for diet and CFS is making sure you get lots of protein, and eating low GI. At least, I’ve found that works well for me, and a fair few other CFS people I’ve talked to have found that diet particularly helpful too. I’ve been through the restrictive diets too, to no avail. The elimination diet to see if I had food allergies had to be the most painful one to keep to – I’ll never look at pears the same way Smiling

Amy B

Thu, 12/06/2008 - 4:20pm — vic

Thanks

Thanks Amy B for your comment!

Currently I'm on a good diet with lots of Vegi's, low GI foods with adequate protein - I may increase my protein intake and see how that goes. Though my intake of wheat, diary and sugary foods are very minimal I want to find out if any such foods cause problems for other CFS suffers and if they have eliminated certain foods from their diet?

Victor.

Sat, 28/06/2008 - 5:44pm — jmscott

Diet

Hi Vic,
I have been seeing a doctor, who recommends avoiding all sugar and simple carbohydrates, such as white rice, white bread, etc. I follow a hypoglycemic diet. There's a website that explains more at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/
Also I don't have alcohol and limit caffeine, as this can wear out the adrenal glands and make you even more tired. Also the fresher the food the better, as processing can take out the good stuff and add chemicals. All the best with finding the right diet,

Janelle

Mon, 30/06/2008 - 3:53pm — vic

THANKS

Victor

Thanks Janelle,

I have already cutout sugar and simple carbs. Also alcohol and caffeine cause major problems with me! I will check-out your website link a little further.

Take care and recover soon!

Vic.

Thu, 18/09/2008 - 3:35pm — Marina

I have found that eating low

I have found that eating low GI has helped me. Also, eating regularly such as every few hours. I try to include as many Essential Fatty acids where I can as well. There was one week when I ate so well (mind you - all my energy was spent planning and preparing) with lots of variety of veg and lots of EFAs and [/i]I felt the best [i]I have felt so far. As much as I miss red wine I cannot bring myself to drink it - which is good Smiling Also, I have cut out refined sugar (as much as possible) and reduced caffeine intake. I am moving towards cutting out caffeine altogether as I know it kills the adrenals but at the moment it is the last little thing from my old life that I am still holding on to! We'll get there - slowly but surely Smiling

Oh and i highly recommend fresh ginger root tea - it is a great immune booster and increases circulation for those of us that don't move around a lot !

Marina

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